Russell County Demographics

A map of Russell County's Population by Race

Russell County, Kentucky has an estimated population of 18,221, a slight increase from the 17,991 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.5% White, 4.6% Hispanic, 2.4% Multiracial, 1.1% Black, 0.3% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Russell County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Russell is about as racially diverse as it was in 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 Russell County, that probability was 15.7% in 2020 and 15.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Russell County is ranked the 65th most populous county in Kentucky, out of 120 counties. Russell County was ranked the 65th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Russell County's White Population

16,679 residents of Russell County, or 91.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Russell County is higher than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Russell County ranks 57th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 91.5%.

Russell County is more White than neighboring Adair County (90.4% White), and Wayne County (91.4% White). Russell County is less White than neighboring Clinton County (93.1% White), Casey County (93.2% White), and Cumberland County (92.5% White).

Russell County's Black Population

203 residents of Russell County, or 1.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Russell County is lower than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Russell County ranks 92nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Black population has grown by an estimated 79.6%. Black residents' share of Russell County's population has increased from 0.6% to 1.1%.

Russell County is more Black than neighboring Clinton County (0.1% Black), and Casey County (0.4% Black). Russell County is less Black than neighboring Adair County (2.1% Black), Wayne County (1.2% Black), and Cumberland County (1.5% Black).

Russell County's Asian Population

50 residents of Russell County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Russell County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Russell County ranks 30th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 51.9%. Asian residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Russell County is more Asian than neighboring Adair County (0.2% Asian), Wayne County (0% Asian), and Casey County (0.1% Asian). Russell County is less Asian than neighboring Clinton County (0.4% Asian).

Russell County's Hispanic Population

842 residents of Russell County, or 4.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Russell County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Russell County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.6%.

Russell County is more Hispanic than neighboring Adair County (3.5% Hispanic), Clinton County (3.4% Hispanic), Wayne County (4.5% Hispanic), Casey County (3.4% Hispanic), and Cumberland County (2% Hispanic).

Russell County's Native American/Other Population

16 residents of Russell County, 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 Russell County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Russell County ranks 47th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 81.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Russell County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Adair County (0.3% Native American/Other), Clinton County (0.6% Native American/Other), Wayne County (0.3% Native American/Other), Casey County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Cumberland County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Russell County's Multiracial Population

431 residents of Russell County, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Russell County is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Russell County ranks 95th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 120 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Russell County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 4.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Russell County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.4%.

Russell County is less Multiracial than neighboring Adair County (3.5% Multiracial), Wayne County (2.5% Multiracial), Casey County (2.7% Multiracial), and Cumberland County (3.1% 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.