County · Kentucky
Bourbon County, Kentucky
Bourbon County, Kentucky. Bourbon County had 20,243 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.1% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 21017.
Bourbon County is one of the 6 counties of the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,243
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 20,252 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,240
Median household income
$61,354
±$7,041 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$229,300
±$17,967 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$822
±$48 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Bourbon County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 20,252 residents in Bourbon County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,243 for July 1, 2025, down 0.1% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,240 over 290 square miles of land.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,240 | 4,534,824 | +182 |
| Households | 8,134±240 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.47±0.07 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,181±30 | 2,023,116 | +117 |
Bourbon County's population since 2000
From 19,360 in 2000 to 20,243 in 2025: up 4.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Bourbon County?
Bourbon County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Paris with 10,130 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Paris | 10,171 | $55,839 |
|---|---|---|
| Millersburg | 747 | $41,685 |
| North Middletown | 610 | $48,000 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bourbon County?
The median resident of Bourbon County is 41.8 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 19.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 7.8%. 3.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8±0.8 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.8%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.5%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.8% | 5.0% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.4%±0.5 pts | 81.5% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.9%±0.4 pts | 7.6% | −2.0 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.9%±0.8 pts | 4.7% | −1.3 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 6.3%±1.4 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.2%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 17.6%±1.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.5%±0.9 pts | 6.0% | −2.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.9%±1.8 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.3%±2.5 pts | 27.6% | +6.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.1%±1.7 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Bourbon County earn?
Half of Bourbon County's 8,134 households earn less than $61,354 a year (±$7,041), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $61,088 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,354±$7,041 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $82,564±$5,061 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,889±$2,116 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.2%±2.4 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.3%±5.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.9%±2.3 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.4%±2.6 pts | 88.6% | – |
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 Bourbon County?
Owners occupy 63.7% of Bourbon County's occupied homes and renters 36.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $229,300 by its owner (±$17,967). The median renter pays $822 a month including utilities, and 32.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $229,300±$17,967 | $205,600 | +$48,757 |
| Median gross rent | $822±$48 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.9%±7.4 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,424±$76 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.7%±3.4 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,181±30 | 2,023,116 | +117 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.6%±1.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 9.9%±5.0 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.0%±3.6 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.7%±1.4 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±1.0 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.1%±2.8 pts | 9.0% | – |
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 many new homes is Bourbon County building?
Builders took permits for 109 new housing units across Bourbon County in 2025 (63 single-family), 5.4 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bourbon County get to work?
73.4% of Bourbon County's workers drive alone and 10.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Bourbon County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.6%±2.5 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±1.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 73.4%±3.9 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.0%±3.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.7%±2.1 pts | 10.2% | +4.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.4 min±1.6 | 24.0 min | +2.7 min |
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 are Bourbon County's census tracts?
Bourbon County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,375 (Tract 302.02) to $83,696 (Tract 304).
| Tract 301.0121017030101 | 1,933±325 | $56,149 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 301.0221017030102 | 1,835±299 | $80,339 |
| Tract 302.0121017030201 | 4,598±544 | $58,125 |
| Tract 302.0221017030202 | 1,732±220 | $34,375 |
| Tract 30321017030300 | 3,461±437 | $76,795 |
| Tract 30421017030400 | 2,101±354 | $83,696 |
| Tract 30521017030500 | 2,493±284 | $46,528 |
| Tract 30621017030600 | 2,087±246 | $61,674 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Bourbon County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 56th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 75th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 53rd of 120 |
| Median household income | 41st of 120 |
| Median home value | 17th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 43rd of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 94th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16th of 120 |
| Median age | 55th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Bourbon County 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' school search.