Powell County Demographics

A map of Powell County's Population by Race

Powell County, Kentucky has an estimated population of 13,038, a less than 1% change from the 13,129 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.6% White, 2.0% Black, 1.9% Multiracial, 1.6% Hispanic, 0.8% Native American/Other, and 0.0% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Powell County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Powell 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 Powell County, that probability was 9.2% in 2020 and 12.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Powell County is ranked the 83rd most populous county in Kentucky, out of 120 counties. Powell County was ranked the 82nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Powell County's White Population

12,201 residents of Powell County, or 93.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Powell County is considerably higher than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Powell County ranks 17th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powell County's White population has declined by an estimated 2.4%. White residents' share of Powell County's population has decreased from 95.3% to 93.6%.

Powell County is more White than neighboring Montgomery County (91.6% White), and Lee County (93.4% White). Powell County is less White than neighboring Estill County (96% White), Menifee County (95.5% White), and Bath County (94.6% White).

Powell County's Black Population

264 residents of Powell County, or 2.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Powell County is lower than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Powell County ranks 99th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powell County's Black population has grown by an estimated 312.5%. Black residents' share of Powell County's population has increased from 0.5% to 2.0%.

Powell County is more Black than neighboring Estill County (0.1% Black), Montgomery County (1.3% Black), Menifee County (0.1% Black), and Bath County (0.7% Black). Powell County is less Black than neighboring Lee County (3% Black).

Powell County's Asian Population

0 residents of Powell County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Powell County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Powell County ranks 78th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

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

Powell County is less Asian than neighboring Estill County (1% Asian), and Montgomery County (0.5% Asian).

Powell County's Hispanic Population

214 residents of Powell County, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Powell County is slightly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Powell County ranks 83rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powell County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Powell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Powell County is more Hispanic than neighboring Estill County (0.9% Hispanic), and Lee County (1.1% Hispanic). Powell County is less Hispanic than neighboring Montgomery County (3.5% Hispanic), Menifee County (2.8% Hispanic), and Bath County (1.8% Hispanic).

Powell County's Native American/Other Population

106 residents of Powell County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Powell County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Powell County ranks 91st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powell County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 165.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Powell County's population has increased from 0.3% to 0.8%.

Powell County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Estill County (0% Native American/Other), Montgomery County (0.5% Native American/Other), Menifee County (0% Native American/Other), Lee County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Bath County (0.1% Native American/Other).

Powell County's Multiracial Population

253 residents of Powell County, or 1.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Powell County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Powell County ranks 100th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Powell County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 13.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Powell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.9%.

Powell County is more Multiracial than neighboring Menifee County (1.5% Multiracial). Powell County is less Multiracial than neighboring Estill County (2% Multiracial), Montgomery County (2.6% Multiracial), Lee County (2.2% Multiracial), and Bath County (2.7% 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.