Kentucky Demographics

A map of Kentucky's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	3,698,087	3,664,764	81.5%	81.3%
Black	342,570	357,764	7.6%	7.9%
Hispanic	226,744	207,854	5.0%	4.6%
Multiracial	174,686	175,363	3.9%	3.9%
Asian	72,372	73,843	1.6%	1.6%
Native American/Other	20,365	26,248	0.4%	0.6%

Kentucky has an estimated population of 4,534,824, a less than 1% change from the 4,505,836 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.5% White, 7.6% Black, 5.0% Hispanic, 3.9% Multiracial, 1.6% Asian, and 0.4% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Kentucky, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Kentucky is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Kentucky, that probability was 32.8% in 2020 and 32.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Kentucky is ranked the 26th most populous state in the United States, out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Kentucky was ranked the 26th most populous state in the 2020 Census.

Kentucky's White Population

3,698,087 residents of Kentucky, or 81.5% of the population, identify as White. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Kentucky is 9th in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Kentucky's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Kentucky's population has remained roughly unchanged at 81.5%.

Kentucky is more White than neighboring Tennessee (71% White), Indiana (75.4% White), Ohio (75.8% White), and Illinois (58.1% White). Kentucky is less White than neighboring West Virginia (89.7% White),

Kentucky's Black Population

342,570 residents of Kentucky, or 7.6% of the population, identify as Black. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Kentucky is 25th in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Kentucky's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.2%. Black residents' share of Kentucky's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.6%.

Kentucky is more Black than neighboring West Virginia (3.1% Black). Kentucky is less Black than neighboring Tennessee (15.4% Black). Indiana (9.1% Black). Ohio (12% Black). and Illinois (13.3% Black).

Kentucky's Asian Population

72,372 residents of Kentucky, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Asian. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Kentucky is 43rd in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Kentucky's Asian population has declined by an estimated 2.0%. Asian residents' share of Kentucky's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Kentucky is more Asian than neighboring West Virginia (0.8% Asian). Kentucky is less Asian than neighboring Tennessee (1.9% Asian). Indiana (2.6% Asian). Ohio (2.5% Asian). and Illinois (5.9% Asian).

Kentucky's Hispanic Population

226,744 residents of Kentucky, or 5.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Kentucky is 42nd in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Kentucky's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 9.1%. Hispanic residents' share of Kentucky's population has remained roughly unchanged at 5.0%.

Kentucky is more Hispanic than neighboring Ohio (4.8% Hispanic), and West Virginia (2.1% Hispanic). Kentucky is less Hispanic than neighboring Tennessee (7.4% Hispanic), Indiana (8.6% Hispanic). and Illinois (18.8% Hispanic).

Kentucky's Native American/Other Population

20,365 residents of Kentucky, or 0.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Kentucky is 47th in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Kentucky's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 22.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Kentucky's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.4%.

Kentucky is less Native American/Other than neighboring Tennessee (0.6% Native American/Other). Indiana (0.5% Native American/Other). Ohio (0.5% Native American/Other). and Illinois (0.5% Native American/Other).

Kentucky's Multiracial Population

174,686 residents of Kentucky, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. Ranked among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Kentucky is 31st in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Since the 2020 Census, Kentucky's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Kentucky's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.9%.

Kentucky is more Multiracial than neighboring Tennessee (3.7% Multiracial), Indiana (3.8% Multiracial), and Illinois (3.4% Multiracial). Kentucky is less Multiracial than neighboring Ohio (4.3% 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.