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Tennessee vs Kentucky population, 1990 to 2025

Tennessee leads Kentucky in 2025 population: 7,315,076 vs 4,606,864. Compare annual state data from 1990.

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What the data shows

  • Tennessee: 4.9M in 1990, 7.3M in 2025.
  • Kentucky: 3.7M in 1990, 4.6M in 2025.

About this chart

Tennessee had the larger population in 2025: 7,315,076 versus 4,606,864 for Kentucky, a gap of 2,708,212. Over the full period from 1990, Tennessee grew by 49.6%, while Kentucky grew by 24.8%. Tennessee was ahead in 1990 and remained ahead at every annual observation in the displayed series. The comparison uses the same reference year for both states.

The Census series compares July 1 resident populations for Tennessee and Kentucky. In 1990, their counts were 4,890,626 and 3,692,584, respectively. Estimates from different Census vintages are joined across decades, and revisions can affect the measured trend. These state totals include residents throughout each state rather than only its cities. They describe the scale and direction of population change but do not, on their own, separate births, deaths and migration.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. July 1 resident population estimates. Different Census vintages are joined across decades; revisions can affect comparisons.

Tennessee vs Kentucky population, Resident population, 1990 to 2025, 1990–2025
DateTennesseeKentucky
19904.9M3.7M
19914.9M3.7M
19925M3.8M
19935.1M3.8M
19945.2M3.8M
19955.2M3.9M
19965.3M3.9M
19975.4M3.9M
19985.4M3.9M
19995.5M4M
20005.7M4M
20015.8M4.1M
20025.8M4.1M
20035.8M4.1M
20045.9M4.1M
20056M4.2M
20066.1M4.2M
20076.2M4.3M
20086.2M4.3M
20096.3M4.3M
20106.4M4.3M
20116.4M4.4M
20126.5M4.4M
20136.5M4.4M
20146.5M4.4M
20156.6M4.4M
20166.7M4.4M
20176.7M4.5M
20186.8M4.5M
20196.8M4.5M
20206.9M4.5M
20217M4.5M
20227.1M4.5M
20237.2M4.5M
20247.3M4.6M
20257.3M4.6M

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Frequently asked questions

Which has a larger population, Tennessee or Kentucky?

Tennessee had the larger population in 2025, at 7,315,076 compared with 4,606,864 for Kentucky. The gap was 2,708,212 residents.

How have Tennessee and Kentucky changed since 1990?

Tennessee moved from 4,890,626 to 7,315,076, a 49.6% increase. Kentucky moved from 3,692,584 to 4,606,864, a 24.8% increase.

What exactly is being compared?

Census July 1 resident population estimates for the two whole states. The series combines Census vintages and does not isolate the causes of population change.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 (vintages 1999, 2000–2010 intercensal, 2020 and 2025), people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. July 1 resident population estimates. Different Census vintages are joined across decades; revisions can affect comparisons. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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