Kentucky at a glance
Kentucky had an estimated 4,606,864 residents on July 1, 2025, the 26th largest population among the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
That is up 2.2% from 4,506,287 in April 2020.
In the year to July 1, 2025, Kentucky gained 7,269 residents from other states through migration and gained 15,709 through international migration.
The same year saw 52,982 births and 53,065 deaths, a natural decrease of 83.
The capital of Kentucky is Frankfort.
Kentucky covers 39,486 square miles of land in 120 counties, about 117 people per square mile.
| Capital | Frankfort |
|---|---|
| Population (2025) | 4,606,864 |
| Change since April 2020 | +100,577 |
| Land area | 39,486 sq mi |
| Counties | 120 |
The July 1 estimate rose from 4,508,271 in 2020 to 4,606,864 in 2025. The largest one-year gain was 34,093 people, in the year to July 1, 2024. On average it changed by +19,719 people a year.
Show the numbers
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4,606,864 | +22,818 |
| 2024 | 4,584,046 | +34,093 |
| 2023 | 4,549,953 | +28,715 |
| 2022 | 4,521,238 | +12,890 |
| 2021 | 4,508,348 | +77 |
| 2020 | 4,508,271 | n/a |