The Kentucky Derby
Run at Churchill Downs in Louisville since 1875, the Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously held major sporting event in the U.S.
Capital: FrankfortLargest city: LouisvilleNickname: The Bluegrass StateStatehood: 1792
Kentucky at a glance
The state’s essential figures from the latest official data
Area
104,651 km²
37th largest state
Population
4,588,372
44.9 people/km² of land
July 1, 2024 · 26th in the U.S.
Foreign-born population
4.4%
Share of all residents
ACS 2019–2023
GDP
$314 billion
$60,835 personal income per capita
2025 · BEA
Births
52,248
July 2023–June 2024
Deaths
53,140
July 2023–June 2024
Natural increase
−892
Births minus deaths
Population change
+37,777
July 2023–June 2024
Kentucky data modules
Official information organized by subject
Population
How many people live here, how it's changing and who they are.
Housing
Home prices, rents, supply and how affordable it is to live here.
Economy
GDP, income, output and the industries that drive the economy.
Cost of Living
What it really costs to live here: housing, food, utilities and more.
Jobs & Employment
Employment, unemployment, salaries and the labor force.
Crime & Safety
Crime rates, violent and property crime, and public safety.
Education
Schools, universities, attainment and graduation rates.
Health
Life expectancy, healthcare access, hospitals and insurance.
Taxes
Income, property and sales taxes, plus overall tax burden.
Immigration
Foreign-born population, origins and migration flows.
Energy
Electricity prices, production, renewables and consumption.
Environment
Air quality, wildfires, drought, water and emissions.
Transportation
Vehicles, public transit, airports, traffic and commuting.
Politics & Elections
Election results, representatives and voting trends.
Poverty & Welfare
Poverty, food assistance, Medicaid and social safety net programs.
Retirement & Seniors
Older population, Social Security, retirees and senior living.
Agriculture & Farming
Farms, farmland, crop and livestock output and agricultural exports.
Tourism & Parks
Visitors, tourism spending, national and state parks.
Innovation & Patents
Patents, R&D spending, venture capital and tech employment.
Culture, Media & Gaming
Film, TV, music, theaters, museums and the video game industry.
Pets & Animal Welfare
Pet ownership, shelters, adoptions and veterinary services.
Explore Kentucky
120 counties, one interactive atlas
Select a county to compare population, income, housing and territory using official U.S. Census Bureau data.
Population (residents)
< 50,000> 3,000,000
Kentucky, United States
Jefferson County
County seat: Louisville
777,392
Population
$41,267
Income per capita
$237,200
Median home value
4.8%
Unemployment
- Land area
- 381 mi²
- Population density
- 2,041 /mi²
ACS 2023 5-year estimates · Census Gazetteer 2023. Unemployment is calculated from the ACS civilian labor force.
Counties
120 counties · choose how to order them
Did you know?
Curious facts about Kentucky
Bourbon country
Kentucky produces about 95% of the world's bourbon.
The longest cave
Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world, with more than 680 km mapped.
Fort Knox
The U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox holds a large share of the nation's gold reserves.