Population
Kentucky has a population of 4,520,000 as of 2026, making it the #26 most populous state in the United States.
Kentucky Rankings
Where Kentucky places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Kentucky Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Kentucky's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
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One death every — seconds
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| Kentucky Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 4,520,000 |
| Births per day | 140 |
| Deaths per day | 130 |
| Net migrations per day | 15 |
| Net population change per day | +25 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Kentucky includes 84.77% White, 8.00% Black or African American, 1.54% Asian, 1.25% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 3,831,462 | 84.77% |
| Black or African American | 361,549 | 8.00% |
| Two or more races | 190,307 | 4.21% |
| Asian | 69,449 | 1.54% |
| Other race | 56,566 | 1.25% |
| Native American | 6,847 | 0.15% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 3,819 | 0.08% |
Kentucky Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Kentucky has seen steady population growth in recent years. According to the latest census data from 2020, Kentucky had a population of 4,505,836, representing a 3.8% increase from the 2010 census figure of 4,339,367. Looking further back, the population has grown 14.6% since the 2000 census. Kentucky's current growth rate of 0.62% ranks 33rd among U.S. states. Key factors contributing to Kentucky's population changes likely include birth and death rates as well as domestic and international migration patterns. The latest census provides the most up-to-date look at Kentucky's demographic makeup and growth trends.
Economics and Income Statistics
Kentucky's average per capita income is $33,515. Household income levels show a median of $60,183. The poverty rate stands at 16.12%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $76,273 | $97,629 |
| Families | $76,273 | $100,680 |
| Households | $60,183 | — |
| Non Families | $34,807 | $49,426 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Kentucky
The largest city in Kentucky is Louisville with a population of 633,045.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | 633,045 |
| 2 | Lexington | 322,570 |
| 3 | Bowling Green | 72,294 |
| 4 | Owensboro | 60,183 |
| 5 | Covington | 40,961 |
| 6 | Richmond | 34,585 |
| 7 | Georgetown | 35,262 |
| 8 | Florence | 31,946 |
| 9 | Elizabethtown | 30,289 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | 31,490 |
Population by County
Kentucky's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Kentucky →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Kentucky
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Kentucky.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.