Kentucky is the 27th most populated state in the U.S., with a 2023 population of 4,555,777 people. This number represents an approximate growth of 4.99% from the 2010 census (33rd-largest in the U.S.), and means Kentucky makes up 1.35% of the national population. Also known as the "Bluegrass State", Kentucky is the 36th-largest state in area, covering 40,408 square miles (mi²).
Kentucky entered the Union in June 1792, the second state to join after the original 13 colonies. A border state, Kentucky remained in the Union during the Civil War yet joined most other southern states in voting almost exclusively Democratic from that era through World War II. Since the 1950s, Kentucky has been reliably Republican, although its voters have been willing to vote Democratic when a southern governor has run – the state voted for Jimmy Carter in 1976 and Bill Clinton in both 1992 and 1996. In 2020, Donald Trump defeated Joe Biden 62% to 36%.
Previously a part of Virginia, Kentucky became its territory and the 15th state in the U.S. Union in 1792. From those early beginnings, it has grown to become the 26th largest state in population. Kentucky currently has a population growth rate of 0.47%, which ranks 34th among the U.S. states.
According to a 2022 study from the U.S. Census Bureau, this state's local governments consist of 118 counties, 417 cities, towns, and villages, and 601 special districts.
Cities and Counties can also consolidate governments under one of the forms provided by state law. Louisville-Jefferson operates as a consolidated local government under Kentucky Revised Statute 67C. Lexington-Fayette operates as an urban county government under Kentucky Revised Statute 67A and the local charter created during the merger process.
Louisville is the largest city in Kentucky by population, and Jefferson County is the largest county.
The median age in Kentucky is approximately 38.6, with a slight gender majority of 50.8% females and 49.2% males.
In terms of religious preferences across the state, Kentucky has 76% Christian-based faiths, 2% non-Christian faiths, and 22% unaffiliated with any faith.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Kentucky was:
White: 85.5%
Black or African American: 8.05%
Two or more races: 3.54%
Asian: 1.53%
Other race: 1.14%
Native American: 0.16%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.09%
Muslims are under 25,000.
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