state record · population
Population of Kentucky
Kentucky had an estimated population of 4,588,372 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
What stands out
Kentucky had an estimated population of 4,588,372 on July 1, 2024, according to the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program. Since July 2020 that is +1.8 % (80,054 people); since 2010 it is +5.5 %. Migration is the larger driver since 2020: net migration +98,229 against a natural change (births minus deaths) of -18,756. Among the 51 states in the United States, it ranks 26 by population. Values for 2010–2019 and 2020–2024 come from two estimate vintages benchmarked to different censuses; the 2019→2020 step is partly a rebasing.
Population and components of change
July 1 estimates; components per estimate year (July–June).
Largest counties in Kentucky
By latest estimate, with change since July 2020. Each links to the county's own population record.
| County | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 793,881 | +1.4 % |
| Fayette County | 329,437 | +2.1 % |
| Kenton County | 174,862 | +3.3 % |
| Warren County | 147,936 | +9.6 % |
| Boone County | 144,135 | +5.6 % |
| Hardin County | 112,826 | +1.8 % |
| Daviess County | 104,457 | +1.0 % |
| Madison County | 99,582 | +7.1 % |
| Campbell County | 94,008 | +0.9 % |
| Bullitt County | 85,802 | +4.2 % |
| Christian County | 71,006 | -2.4 % |
| Oldham County | 70,525 | +4.2 % |
| McCracken County | 67,550 | -0.6 % |
| Pulaski County | 66,842 | +2.7 % |
| Laurel County | 63,353 | +1.0 % |
| Scott County | 61,700 | +7.2 % |
| Jessamine County | 56,495 | +6.6 % |
| Pike County | 55,430 | -5.2 % |
| Franklin County | 52,442 | +1.6 % |
| Shelby County | 50,124 | +3.9 % |
| Nelson County | 48,706 | +4.1 % |
| Boyd County | 47,777 | -0.9 % |
| Barren County | 45,609 | +2.5 % |
| Hopkins County | 45,218 | -0.3 % |
| Henderson County | 44,175 | -1.1 % |
Largest cities and towns in Kentucky
Incorporated places, latest estimate. The Census Bureau publishes totals only for places, no components.
| Place | Population | Since 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) | 640,796 | +1.4 % |
| Lexington-Fayette urban county | 329,437 | +2.1 % |
| Bowling Green city | 79,076 | +9.1 % |
| Owensboro city | 60,675 | +0.6 % |
| Covington city | 41,611 | +1.6 % |
| Georgetown city | 40,518 | +7.2 % |
| Richmond city | 39,581 | +12.1 % |
| Elizabethtown city | 34,565 | +10.0 % |
| Florence city | 33,763 | +5.2 % |
| Nicholasville city | 33,458 | +7.5 % |
| Hopkinsville city | 30,800 | -1.2 % |
| Independence city | 30,196 | +4.9 % |
| Jeffersontown city | 29,388 | +0.4 % |
| Frankfort city | 28,610 | -0.0 % |
| Henderson city | 27,750 | -1.4 % |
| Paducah city | 26,712 | -1.6 % |
| Radcliff city | 22,706 | -1.4 % |
| Ashland city | 21,066 | -2.4 % |
| Erlanger city | 20,172 | +2.4 % |
| Madisonville city | 19,502 | -0.7 % |
| Winchester city | 19,413 | +1.2 % |
| Mount Washington city | 18,863 | +4.1 % |
| Murray city | 18,567 | +4.4 % |
| Shelbyville city | 18,048 | +4.0 % |
| St. Matthews city | 17,806 | +1.4 % |
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