CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Nelson County

Kentucky · 46,738 residents · 418.685 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson County has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $63,032. Population has grown 25% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $164,200.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 40.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
46,738
+25%since 2000
from 37,477 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
112 / sq mi
+25%since 2000
from 90 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
40.7
+17%since 2000
from 34.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
28K33K39K44K49K1990201020202024Nelson County
202448K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,032
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $39,010 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,856
+70%since 2000
from $18,120 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
38.2%
+15.6 ptssince 2009
from 22.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
7.7%
−4.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade24.1%
US avg: 10%
Information10.1%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$164,200
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$799
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $426 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2000
from 78.0% in 2000
24.1% rent
Afford Score
2.6
+17%since 2000
from 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)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic88%(41,113)
Black4.7%(2,183)
Hispanic / Latino2.6%(1,214)
Asian0.6%(267)
Other1.7%(810)
Diversity Score22.9%(10,709)
Segregation Score38.2%(17,863)
Diversity Score
23
+37%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
38
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.3%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.1%
+13.1 ptssince 2000
from 79.0% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+1.5 ptssince 2000
from 6.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.1 min
+23%since 2000
from 20.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 82.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−6.3 ptssince 2011
from 9.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.3%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 65.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.6%
−27.2 ptssince 2009
from 57.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
50.1%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.3%
−81.8 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Nelson County

Henry County
Pop 48,095
Habersham County
Pop 50,416
Chilton County
Pop 47,708
Macoupin County
Pop 43,748
Places similar to Nelson County
Head to head

Compare Nelson County to nearby counties

NELSON COUNTY VS
Washington County
Income$61,616−2%
Home value$179,200+9%
Population12,368−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Bullitt County
Income$80,558+28%
Home value$247,200+51%
Population86,454+76%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Spencer County
Income$102,618+63%
Home value$330,000+101%
Population20,998−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
NELSON COUNTY VS
Marion County
Income$59,627−5%
Home value$168,100+2%
Population20,115−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson County, Kentucky?

Nelson County, Kentucky has about 46,738 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Nelson County, Kentucky earns about $63,032 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 $164,200, and the typical rent is about $799 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson County, Kentucky?

About 19.3% 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 7.7% of people in Nelson County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson County, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 17,028 residents, a change of about 57 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

11 census tracts
Census Tract 9303.04Census Tract 9302.01Census Tract 9305Census Tract 9303.01Census Tract 9304Census Tract 9301Census Tract 9306Census Tract 9303.03Census Tract 9307Census Tract 9302.02Census Tract 9303.05
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 40004ZIP 40013ZIP 40051ZIP 40008ZIP 40107ZIP 40012ZIP 40052ZIP 40020
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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