Owsley County Demographics

A map of Owsley County's Population by Race

Owsley County, Kentucky has an estimated population of 3,971, a slight decrease from the 4,051 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 95.5% White, 4.3% Multiracial, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Hispanic, 0.0% Black, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Owsley County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Owsley has become more 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 Owsley County, that probability was 7.0% in 2020 and 8.7% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Owsley County is ranked the 119th most populous county in Kentucky, out of 120 counties. Owsley County was ranked the 119th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Owsley County's White Population

3,791 residents of Owsley County, or 95.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Owsley County is considerably higher than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Owsley County ranks 9th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Owsley County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.9%. White residents' share of Owsley County's population has decreased from 96.4% to 95.5%.

Owsley County is more White than neighboring Lee County (93.4% White), Clay County (91.3% White), and Wolfe County (95.1% White). Owsley County is less White than neighboring Jackson County (96.2% White), and Breathitt County (96% White).

Owsley County's Black Population

0 residents of Owsley County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Owsley County is lower than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Owsley County ranks 114th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Owsley County's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Owsley County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Owsley County is less Black than neighboring Lee County (3% Black), Clay County (3.9% Black), Jackson County (0.2% Black), Wolfe County (0.2% Black), and Breathitt County (0.6% Black).

Owsley County's Asian Population

7 residents of Owsley County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Owsley County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Owsley County ranks 119th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Owsley County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 600.0%. Asian residents' share of Owsley County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Owsley County is more Asian than neighboring Lee County (0% Asian), Clay County (0.1% Asian), Jackson County (0% Asian), and Wolfe County (0% Asian). Owsley County is less Asian than neighboring Breathitt County (0.3% Asian).

Owsley County's Hispanic Population

3 residents of Owsley County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Owsley County is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Owsley County ranks 100th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Owsley County's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 92.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Owsley County's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.1%.

Owsley County is less Hispanic than neighboring Lee County (1.1% Hispanic), Clay County (2.1% Hispanic), Jackson County (1.1% Hispanic), Wolfe County (1.6% Hispanic), and Breathitt County (1.1% Hispanic).

Owsley County's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Owsley County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Owsley County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Owsley County ranks 105th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Owsley County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Owsley County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Owsley County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Lee County (0.2% Native American/Other), Clay County (0.2% Native American/Other), Jackson County (0.1% Native American/Other), Wolfe County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Breathitt County (0.2% Native American/Other).

Owsley County's Multiracial Population

170 residents of Owsley County, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Owsley County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Owsley County ranks 108th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Owsley County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 107.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Owsley County's population has increased from 2.0% to 4.3%.

Owsley County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lee County (2.2% Multiracial), Clay County (2.5% Multiracial), Jackson County (2.4% Multiracial), Wolfe County (2.7% Multiracial), and Breathitt County (1.9% 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.