COUNTY · 1990 CENSUS

Nelson County

Kentucky · 29,710 residents · 418.685 sq mi

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Part of the Louisville/Jefferson County metro government metro area

The short version

Nelson County has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $24,220. Population has fallen 21% since 2000, a loss of 7,767 residents. 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 20%. Median home value is $45,600.

At a glance

Lower income

below the US median

US median: $30,130

Mid-age

median age 31.6

US median: 33.0

Less educated

9% hold a bachelor's degree

US average: 20%

More affordable

home values down 31%, inflation adjusted

US median home: $93,722

Section 01

Population & growth

Total population

29,710

−21%vs 2000

vs 37,477 in 2000

1990 – 2025

Population density

71 / sq mi

−21%vs 2000

vs 90 / sq mi in 2000

US average: 221

Median age

31.6

−10%vs 2000

vs 34.9 in 2000

US average: 33.0

Population, 1990 – 2024

202448K

Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income

$24,220

−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $39,010 in 2000

US average: $30,130

1990 – 2024

Per capita income

$10,165

−44%vs 2000

vs $18,120 in 2000

US average: $14,340

Poverty rate

15.1%

+2.9 ptsvs 2000

vs 12.2% in 2000

US average: 13.2%

Section 03

Housing

Median home value

$45,600

−31%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $86,500 in 2000

US average: $93,722

1990 – 2024

Median gross rent

$292

−10%inflation adjusted, since 2000

vs $426 in 2000

US average: $450

Owner-occupied

78.0%

−0.1 ptsvs 2000

vs 78.0% in 2000

22.0% rent

Afford Score

1.9

−15%vs 2000

vs 2.2 in 2000

1990 – 2024

RELATED:See current rent listings in Nelson County on RentDataNow

Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000

White, non-Hispanic92.3%(34,579)

Black5.5%(2,054)

Hispanic / Latino1.1%(395)

Asian0.5%(189)

Other0%

Diversity Score16.7%(6,257)

1990

White, non-Hispanic93.5%(27,779)

Black6.1%(1,825)

Hispanic / Latino0.2%(64)

Asian0.3%(87)

Other0.1%(19)

Diversity Score15.7%(4,670)

Diversity Score

−6%vs 2000

vs 17 in 2000

1990 – 2024

Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

9.3%

−4.0 ptsvs 2000

vs 13.4% in 2000

US average: 20.3%

High school or higher

67.4%

−11.6 ptsvs 2000

vs 79.0% in 2000

US average: 75.2%

Graduate degree

4.3%

−1.9 ptsvs 2000

vs 6.1% in 2000

US average: 7.1%

Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute

24.4 min

+20%vs 2000

vs 20.4 min in 2000

US average: 21.9

Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Nelson County

Head to head

Compare Nelson County to nearby counties

NELSON COUNTY VS

Washington County

Income$61,616+154%

Home value$179,200+293%

Population12,368−75%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

NELSON COUNTY VS

Bullitt County

Income$80,558+233%

Home value$247,200+442%

Population86,454+76%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

NELSON COUNTY VS

Spencer County

Income$102,618+324%

Home value$330,000+624%

Population20,998−57%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

NELSON COUNTY VS

Marion County

Income$59,627+146%

Home value$168,100+269%

Population20,115−59%

SEE FULL COMPARISON →

Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson County, Kentucky?

Nelson County, Kentucky has about 29,710 residents according to the 1990 Census.

What is the median household income in Nelson County, Kentucky?

The typical household in Nelson County, Kentucky earns about $24,220 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nelson County, Kentucky expensive?

In Nelson County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $45,600, and the typical rent is about $292 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson County, Kentucky?

About 9.3% of adults age 25 and over in Nelson County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nelson County, Kentucky?

About 15.1% of people in Nelson County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →