Ashland, KY Demographics

A map of Ashland's Population by Race

Ashland, Kentucky has an estimated population of 21,295, a slight decrease from the 21,625 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.2% White, 3.7% Multiracial, 2.7% Hispanic, 2.0% Black, 0.4% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Ashland, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Ashland has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Kentucky overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Ashland, that probability was 19.8% in 2020 and 16.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Ashland is ranked the 18th most populous place in Kentucky, out of 554 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Ashland was ranked the 19th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Ashland's White Population

19,418 residents of Ashland, or 91.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Ashland is higher than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Ashland ranks 304th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ashland's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Ashland's population has increased from 89.3% to 91.2%.

Ashland is more White than neighboring Coal Grove (90.8% White), Bellefonte (86.9% White), and Catlettsburg (88.4% White). Ashland is less White than neighboring Westwood (94.2% White), and Ironville (98.3% White).

Ashland's Black Population

417 residents of Ashland, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Ashland is lower than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Ashland ranks 201st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ashland's Black population has declined by an estimated 34.3%. Black residents' share of Ashland's population has decreased from 2.9% to 2.0%.

Ashland is more Black than neighboring Coal Grove (0% Black), Westwood (0.4% Black), and Ironville (0% Black). Ashland is less Black than neighboring Bellefonte (4.2% Black), and Catlettsburg (7.5% Black).

Ashland's Asian Population

78 residents of Ashland, or 0.4% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Ashland is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Ashland ranks 202nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ashland's Asian population has declined by an estimated 47.7%. Asian residents' share of Ashland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Ashland is more Asian than neighboring Coal Grove (0% Asian), Ironville (0% Asian), and Catlettsburg (0% Asian). Ashland is less Asian than neighboring Westwood (1.7% Asian), and Bellefonte (4.8% Asian).

Ashland's Hispanic Population

566 residents of Ashland, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Ashland is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Ashland ranks 320th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ashland's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 34.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Ashland's population has increased from 1.9% to 2.7%.

Ashland is more Hispanic than neighboring Coal Grove (1.1% Hispanic), Westwood (0.7% Hispanic), Ironville (1.7% Hispanic), Bellefonte (0.8% Hispanic), and Catlettsburg (2% Hispanic).

Ashland's Native American/Other Population

22 residents of Ashland, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Ashland is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Ashland ranks 228th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ashland's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 80.9%. Native American/Other residents' share of Ashland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Ashland is more Native American/Other than neighboring Coal Grove (0% Native American/Other), Westwood (0% Native American/Other), Ironville (0% Native American/Other), and Bellefonte (0% Native American/Other). Ashland is less Native American/Other than neighboring Catlettsburg (0.6% Native American/Other).

Ashland's Multiracial Population

794 residents of Ashland, or 3.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Ashland is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Ashland ranks 176th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Ashland's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 19.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Ashland's population has decreased from 4.6% to 3.7%.

Ashland is more Multiracial than neighboring Westwood (3% Multiracial), Ironville (0% Multiracial), Bellefonte (3.3% Multiracial), and Catlettsburg (1.5% Multiracial). Ashland is less Multiracial than neighboring Coal Grove (8.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.