Kentucky

#26 in USSouth

The Bluegrass State Ā· Kentucky (KY) has a population of 4,526,154 people, making it the #26 most populous state in the United States. The capital is Frankfort and the largest city is Louisville.

Population

4.5M

#26 of 51

Area

40,408 mi²

104,656 km²

Density

43/km²

112/mi²

Capital

Frankfort

Median Income

$61K

Below national avg

Unemployment

4.1%

National avg: 3.9%

Median Age

39.2

US Share

1.35%

of 335M total

Population Growth

2020 Census

4,505,836

2023 Estimate

4,526,154

Change

+20,318 (+0.5%)

Race & Ethnicity

White82.5%
Hispanic/Latino4.9%
Black7.5%
Asian1.4%
Two or More Races6.6%
American Indian/Alaska Native0.3%
Other1.7%

Age Distribution

Under 1822.4%
18 to 6459.9%
65 and over17.8%

Economy & Education

Median Household Income
$61,118
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Unemployment Rate
4.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.8%

Largest Cities in Kentucky

LouisvilleLexingtonBowling GreenOwensboroCovington

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Kentucky?

Kentucky has a population of 4,526,154 according to the 2023 American Community Survey. It ranks #26 among all US states by population, representing 1.35% of the total US population.

What is the capital of Kentucky?

The capital of Kentucky is Frankfort. The largest cities include Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green.

What is the median household income in Kentucky?

The median household income in Kentucky is $61,118, below the national average of $77,589.

How fast is Kentucky growing?

Kentucky has grown 0.5% since the 2020 Census, from 4,505,836 to 4,526,154.

Other South States