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Kentucky population by year, 1990 to 2025

Kentucky grew to a record 4.61 million in 2025, up about 25 percent from 1990, but fell from 23rd to 26th among the states.

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What the data shows

  • Kentucky: 3.69M in 1990, 4.61M in 2025.

About this chart

Kentucky's population climbed from 3,692,584 in 1990 to 4,606,864 in 2025, a gain of roughly 914,000 people or 24.8 percent. Every year in the series is higher than the one before, so the 2025 figure is a record. Growth has been steady but not fast: 13.8 percent since 2000 and 5.9 percent since 2010.

That pace has cost the state some standing. Kentucky ranked 23rd among the 50 states in 1990, 25th in 2000 and 26th in both 2010 and 2025. The estimate moved up by about 99,000 between 2020 and 2025. The figures are Census Bureau resident estimates for July 1.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of Kentucky, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026.

Population of Kentucky, Residents, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateKentucky
19903.69M
19913.72M
19923.76M
19933.79M
19943.82M
19953.86M
19963.88M
19973.91M
19983.93M
19993.96M
20004.05M
20014.07M
20024.09M
20034.12M
20044.15M
20054.18M
20064.22M
20074.26M
20084.29M
20094.32M
20104.35M
20114.37M
20124.39M
20134.41M
20144.42M
20154.43M
20164.44M
20174.46M
20184.46M
20194.47M
20204.51M
20214.51M
20224.52M
20234.55M
20244.58M
20254.61M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the population of Kentucky?

Kentucky had about 4.61 million residents (4,606,864) in July 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates. That ranks 26th among the 50 states.

Where does Kentucky rank by population?

Kentucky is 26th in 2025. It was 23rd in 1990, 25th in 2000 and 26th in 2010, so most of its slide came in the 1990s.

How much has Kentucky grown since 1990?

Kentucky added about 914,000 residents, from 3.69 million in 1990 to 4.61 million in 2025. That is a gain of about 25 percent.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), resident population of Kentucky, millions. Retrieved November 4, 2026. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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