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Population Review

Kentucky Population & Demographics

Kentucky has a population of 4,510,725, ranking #26 among US states. The median household income is $62,417 and the median age is 39.1.

Kentucky on US population map

US states by population — Kentucky is #26

4,510,725

Population

#26

By Population

$62,417

Median Income

39.1

Median Age

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.9%
5–9
6.3%
10–14
6.5%
15–19
6.5%
20–24
6.6%
25–34
13.0%
35–44
12.5%
45–54
12.4%
55–59
6.5%
60–64
6.7%
65–74
10.4%
75–84
5.0%
85+
1.7%

Male: 49.5% · Female: 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

White83.7%
Black or African American7.9%
Asian0.0%
American Indian & Alaska Native0.2%
Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander0.1%
Two or More Races0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.1%

Economy & Income

$62,417

Median Household Income

$34,960

Per Capita Income

11.8%

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Unemployment Rate

$86,119

Mean Household Income

56.4%

Employment Rate

Education

88.5%

High School Graduate+

27.0%

Bachelor's Degree+

Housing

$192,300

Median Home Value

$933

Median Rent

2,010,655

Total Housing Units

68.3%

Owner-Occupied

31.7%

Renter-Occupied

10.9%

Vacant

Commute

0.7%

Drive Alone

2.0%

Carpool

9.1%

Work From Home

24.0 min

Avg Commute

Largest Cities in Kentucky

#CityPopulationMedian IncomeMedian Home Value
1Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)627,210$64,731$221,500
2Lexington-Fayette urban county321,122$67,631$272,100
3Bowling Green city73,638$48,419$232,100
4Owensboro city60,112$53,295$162,900
5Covington city40,902$58,814$167,900
6Georgetown city38,206$78,373$244,200
7Richmond city35,498$48,223$205,900
8Florence city32,334$68,508$196,200
9Elizabethtown city31,870$56,250$223,200
10Nicholasville city31,625$67,514$210,700
11Hopkinsville city31,011$47,428$140,200
12Independence city29,024$98,653$240,500
13Jeffersontown city28,988$78,185$236,800
14Frankfort city28,452$54,438$171,600
15Henderson city27,994$47,176$151,400
16Paducah city26,894$51,243$164,600
17Radcliff city22,967$60,976$163,300
18Ashland city21,405$52,199$125,300
19Erlanger city19,677$78,420$189,400
20Madisonville city19,442$56,902$152,300

Counties in Kentucky

#CountyPopulationMedian Income
1Jefferson County777,392$67,849
2Fayette County321,122$67,631
3Kenton County169,817$79,421
4Boone County137,676$94,752
5Warren County137,549$64,801
6Hardin County111,452$67,608
7Daviess County103,195$65,323
8Madison County94,064$62,407
9Campbell County93,193$77,271
10Bullitt County83,209$77,640
11Christian County72,599$54,190
12Oldham County68,600$121,491
13McCracken County67,584$62,385
14Pulaski County65,503$50,943
15Laurel County62,731$56,999
16Scott County58,269$83,660
17Pike County57,466$42,179
18Jessamine County53,792$74,886
19Franklin County51,563$66,470
20Shelby County48,599$82,671

Frequently Asked Questions

Kentucky has a population of 4,510,725 according to the Census ACS 2023 5-Year estimates, making it the #26 most populated state.

The median household income in Kentucky is $62,417, with a per capita income of $34,960. 11.8% of the population lives below the poverty level.

Kentucky is 83.7% White, 7.9% Black, 0.0% Asian, and 1.1% Hispanic/Latino.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. The ACS surveys approximately 3.5 million households annually. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.