City · Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, city, in Nelson County, Kentucky. Bardstown had 14,161 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.4% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 13,567 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 13,804 (±26). GEOID 2103628.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,161
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,567 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,804 ±26
Median household income
$51,381
±$7,022 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$203,500
±$25,170 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$977
±$104 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Bardstown and what county is it in?
Bardstown is a city in Nelson County, Kentucky. It covers 12.1 square miles of land, 1,121 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bardstown is in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 12 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bardstown, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 14,161 people lived in Bardstown on July 1, 2025, up 4.4% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 13,567 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 13,804 (±26).
| Measure | Bardstown | Nelson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,804 ±26 | 47,606 | +710 |
| Households | 5,677 ±309 | 19,150 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.37 ±0.13 | 2.46 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,820 ±312 | 20,330 | no clear change |
Bardstown's population since 2000
From 10,374 in 2000 to 14,161 in 2025: up 36.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bardstown as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bardstown?
The median resident of Bardstown is 38.1 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 16.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 78.0%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 13.8%. 5.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bardstown | Nelson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.1 ±2.8 | 39.5 | +4.8 |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% ±2.8 pts | 23.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.7% ±2.3 pts | 17.4% | – |
| Male | 51.7% ±2.2 pts | 50.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.0% ±1.7 pts | 2.9% | +3.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 78.0% ±2.7 pts | 89.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.8% ±2.2 pts | 5.2% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9% ±0.7 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.8% ±1.8 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.2% ±2.0 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1% ±1.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| With a disability | 16.2% ±2.6 pts | 14.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.3% ±4.4 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.5% ±3.4 pts | 92.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.7% ±4.2 pts | 23.8% | +8.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.8% ±2.8 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.3% ±3.8 pts | 90.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5% ±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bardstown earn?
Half of Bardstown's 5,677 households earn less than $51,381 a year (±$7,022), against $69,562 in Nelson County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $66,861 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $15,480 after inflation. 14.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bardstown | Nelson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,381 ±$7,022 | $69,562 | −$15,480 |
| Mean household income | $74,741 ±$7,096 | $87,639 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,358 ±$3,249 | $35,010 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.7% ±4.4 pts | 10.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.4% ±10.9 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.6% ±3.4 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.7% ±2.2 pts | 94.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4% ±3.7 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bardstown?
Owners occupy 61.1% of Bardstown's occupied homes and renters 38.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $203,500 by its owner (±$25,170). The median renter pays $977 a month including utilities, and 43.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bardstown | Nelson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $203,500 ±$25,170 | $238,000 | +$51,509 |
| Median gross rent | $977 ±$104 | $1,008 | +$145 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.2% ±9.7 pts | 44.0% | +25.0 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,275 ±$133 | $1,379 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.1% ±4.9 pts | 78.3% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 38.9% ±4.9 pts | 21.7% | – |
| Housing units | 5,820 ±312 | 20,330 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.0% ±2.9 pts | 5.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.6% ±5.5 pts | 80.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4% ±1.3 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.6% ±2.6 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.2% ±2.4 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.7% ±2.3 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.1% ±1.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Bardstown work and get to work?
78.4% of Bardstown's workers drive alone and 4.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Bardstown | Nelson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.0% ±3.5 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% ±2.0 pts | 3.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.4% ±5.0 pts | 82.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7% ±3.4 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Walked | 1.4% ±1.1 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.1% ±1.8 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.5 min ±2.3 | 26.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bardstown?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Bardstown, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $48,794 (Tract 9303.03) to $75,833 (Tract 9303.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9303.04Nelson County | 7,007 | $52,094 |
| Tract 9303.01Nelson County | 5,058 | $75,833 |
| Tract 9303.03Nelson County | 3,417 | $48,794 |
| Tract 9304Nelson County | 4,095 | $60,667 |
| Tract 9302.01Nelson County | 6,847 | $84,894 |
| Tract 9305Nelson County | 6,243 | $80,310 |
| Tract 9303.05Nelson County | 1,740 | $56,548 |
| Tract 9302.02Nelson County | 2,391 | $90,226 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bardstown) · Census block assignment files
How does Bardstown compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bardstown is the 2,503rd-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 32nd-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Bardstown ranks 131st of 230 places in Kentucky with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 32nd | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 49th | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 116th | 232 |
| Median household income | 131st | 230 |
| Per capita income | 101st | 232 |
| Median home value | 86th | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 70th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 140th | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 84th | 223 |
| Median age | 119th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 100th | 229 |
| Work from home | 129th | 130 |
| Travel time to work | 147th | 232 |
Bardstown's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Bardstown with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bardstown?
11 of the 57 figures for Bardstown on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bardstown are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Bardstown.