Kentucky Population in 2024 – Stats and Insights

Kentucky’s current population in 2024 is approximately 4,540,740, making it the 26th most populous state in the U.S. according to the World Population Review.

The state’s population growth rate is 0.47%, ranking 34th among all states.

Formerly part of Virginia, Kentucky became the 15th state to join the Union in 1792.

Kentucky shares borders with seven states: Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north, West Virginia and Virginia to the east, Tennessee to the south, and Missouri to the west.

Kentucky Population by Age

According to the 2018-2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Kentucky’s median age is 39.1 years. The population distribution shows that 18.57% are under 15 years old, 19.94% fall within the 15 to 29 age range, 44.68% are between 30 and 64 years, 15.09% are aged 65 to 84, and 1.72% are 85 years or older.

Population by Gender

Kentucky has a slightly higher proportion of females (50.52%) compared to males (49.48%), resulting in a gender ratio of 97.9 men per 100 women as per Neilsberg Research.

The largest male age group is 20–24 years, while for females, it is 55–59 years.

This gender distribution highlights a balanced population with slight female dominance, especially in older age groups.

Population by Race/Ethnicity

Kentucky’s population is predominantly White, making up 85.5% of residents, followed by Black or African American individuals at 8.05%.

Other racial groups, including Asian (1.53%) and multiracial (3.54%), contribute to the state’s increasing diversity.

Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.88%, showcasing a smaller yet growing ethnic community.

This racial breakdown underscores Kentucky’s primarily White population but hints at gradual diversification.

Kentucky Counites 2024

WPR notes that Jefferson County is Kentucky’s largest, with 770,517 residents (3.84% growth since 2010), followed by Fayette County (323,780), Kenton County (166,051), Boone County (131,533), Warren County (131,264), Hardin County (110,356), and Daviess County (101,104). Warren County had the fastest growth at 14.82%.

Robertson County is the smallest, with 2,315 residents (-6.15% growth). Other small counties include Hickman (4,421), Owsley (4,472), and Carlisle (4,771), all experiencing population declines, with Hickman County seeing the largest decrease (-9.01%).

Scott County leads with an 18.51% increase, followed by Warren (14.82%), Shelby (14.79%), and Jessamine (10.75%).

Martin County experienced the steepest drop, losing 12.31% of its residents.

Educational Attainment

• Kentucky has a lower percentage of residents with a higher degree (30.5%) compared to the U.S. average of 38.5%.
• The majority (54.2%) of Kentuckians have a high school diploma as their highest educational attainment, above the national average (48.5%).
• A larger share of Kentuckians (15.4%) lack a high school diploma compared to the national average (13.0%).

The Kentucky Department of Education today announced that 31 Kentucky high schools have received the prestigious College Success Award from https://t.co/bRG98Mz8Tb, the nation’s leading nonprofit school information site.

Read more: https://t.co/y7uXIXWgS3 pic.twitter.com/oIZZLXBLe3

— KY Dept of Education (@KyDeptofEd) November 21, 2024

Employment and Unemployment Rates

The civilian labor force increased steadily, from 2,040.7K in May 2024 to 2,075.1K in October 2024 as per BLS.

Employment also rose gradually, from 1,946.1K in May 2024 to 1,972.1K in October 2024.

Despite employment growth, unemployment numbers climbed from 94.6K in May 2024 to 103.0K in October 2024, leading to a rise in the unemployment rate from 4.6% in May to 5.0% in October.

Labor Market

In August 2024, Kentucky experienced a minor decline in job openings, from 134,000 in July to 133,000, reflecting a 0.1% decrease in the job openings rate.

However, hiring activity increased by 3,000, indicating an uptick in employer recruitment efforts.

Total separations dropped significantly by 12,000, led primarily by a decrease in quits, signaling potentially fewer workers leaving jobs voluntarily. Layoffs and discharges remained constant at 20,000 during the same period.

Kentucky Job Openings and Turnover Rates (Seasonally Adjusted)

The job openings rate in Kentucky showed a slight decline in August, dropping from 6.2% in July to 6.1% as noted by the Bureau.

Despite this, the hiring rate rose modestly to 3.7%, indicating improved recruitment efforts by employers.

The overall separations rate saw a sharp decline to 3.2%, largely driven by a decrease in the quits rate, which fell to 1.9%.

Layoffs and discharges remained stable at 1.0%, suggesting that involuntary terminations were not a significant factor in labor market changes.

Health and Wellness Statistics

Key health indicators in Kentucky reveal specific areas of concern.

The state has a fertility rate of 63.5 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 and a teen birth rate of 27.3 per 1,000 females aged 15-19, reflecting notable birth trends according to the CDC.

Infant mortality stands at 5.8 per 1,000 live births, aligning closely with the national average.

However, Kentucky faces higher rates of drug overdose deaths (30.9 per 100,000) and firearm-related deaths (16.9 per 100,000), indicating pressing public health challenges.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death, underscoring the need for focused health initiatives.

Birth Data

Kentucky’s birth statistics highlight challenges and trends in maternal and neonatal health.

The state ranks 18th nationally for the percentage of births to unmarried mothers, with 41.9% of births occurring outside of marriage.

The cesarean delivery rate of 34.3% places Kentucky 9th nationally, reflecting a high reliance on surgical deliveries.

Additionally, preterm births (11.3%) and low birthweight rates (8.9%) place Kentucky among the top 15 states for these indicators, suggesting the need for enhanced prenatal care and maternal health programs.

Migration Patterns

Immigrants constitute 4% of Kentucky’s population and make significant economic contributions, including $4.6 billion in spending power and $1.6 billion in taxes.

Their involvement in the labor force, representing 5.4% of workers and 9.6% of STEM professionals, underlines their integral role in key sectors according to the American Immigration Council.

Furthermore, 7.3% of Kentucky’s entrepreneurs are immigrants, driving innovation and job creation.

Immigrant families contribute to the state’s demographics, with 1.8% of U.S.-born residents living with at least one immigrant parent.

Immigrant Age Distribution Compared to U.S.-Born Residents

Immigrants in Kentucky are predominantly working-age (82.9%), a significantly higher proportion compared to U.S.-born residents (62.1%). This age distribution highlights immigrants’ critical role in the state’s labor force, contributing as taxpayers and economic participants.

The lower percentage of immigrant children (8.6%) and seniors (8.6%) suggests that immigrants are less dependent on public services like education and healthcare than their U.S.-born counterparts.

Immigrant Demographics and Language Proficiency

Kentucky’s immigrant community is balanced in gender, with slightly more women (51.9%).

A substantial majority (79.1%) of immigrants report proficiency in English, easing their integration into society and the workforce.

The presence of 79,900 U.S.-born residents with immigrant parents highlights the long-term contributions of immigrant families to the state’s demographic and cultural landscape.

Top Countries of Origin for Immigrants in Kentucky

Housing Market Overview

Redfin notes that the Kentucky housing market demonstrated strong growth in October 2024, with a 7.1% year-over-year increase in the median home sale price, reaching $265,800.

Additionally, home sales increased by 6.2%, reflecting robust demand in the state.

However, homes lingered on the market longer, with a median of 41 days, up by 7 days compared to the previous year.

This trend may indicate that while prices are rising, the pace of sales is slightly slowing.

Top 10 Metros in Kentucky with Fastest Growing Sales Prices (October 2024)

Kentucky Annual Crimes Overview

Kentucky’s total crime rate is 16.63 per 1,000 residents, lower than the national average. Violent crimes, at 2.14 per 1,000 residents, also fall significantly below the national rate.

Property crimes are more prevalent, with theft accounting for the majority of cases at a rate of 9.90 per 1,000 residents as per Neighborhood Scout.

Kentucky’s overall lower crime rate suggests a relatively safer environment compared to the U.S. as a whole.

Violent Crime Breakdown (per 1,000 Residents)

Murder rates in Kentucky are slightly higher than the national average, while other violent crimes like robbery and assault are considerably lower.

Assault remains the most common violent crime in Kentucky, reflecting broader trends nationwide.

Property Crime Breakdown (per 1,000 Residents)

Property crime rates in Kentucky are below the national averages across all categories.

Theft is the most frequent type of property crime, though Kentucky’s rate is significantly lower than the U.S. average, indicating relatively fewer incidents of major property-related offenses.

Crime Rate Comparison: Kentucky vs. National Average

Residents in Kentucky have a lower likelihood of becoming victims of violent or property crimes compared to the national average.

For violent crime, the odds are 1 in 467 in Kentucky versus 1 in 208 nationwide.

Similarly, the chances of property crime victimization are 1 in 69 in Kentucky, significantly lower than the U.S. average of 1 in 51.

Methodology

We compiled data from trusted sources like the U.S. Census, BLS, and Redfin, analyzing population, housing, and crime metrics. Economic, educational, and health indicators were reviewed alongside migration trends and labor market statistics.

Comparative analyses with national averages highlighted Kentucky’s unique trends. The data was structured into concise categories for clarity and ease of understanding.

Interactive charts, tables, and official statistics were used to visualize the findings. The article aims to provide accurate, well-sourced insights into Kentucky’s demographics, economy, and community well-being.

References

1. World Population Review – Kentucky Population 2024
2. Neilsberg Research – Kentucky Population by Age
3. American Immigration Council – Immigrants in Kentucky
4. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Kentucky Employment Statistics
5. Redfin – Kentucky Housing Market
6. CDC – Kentucky Health Statistics
7. Neighborhood Scout – Crime in Kentucky