County · Kentucky
Johnson County, Kentucky
Johnson County, Kentucky. Johnson County had 22,051 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.8% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 3 places (1 city, village or borough and 2 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 21115.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
22,051
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 22,680 · ACS 2020-2024: 22,334
Median household income
$44,904
±$4,843 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$120,200
±$10,642 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$708
±$57 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Johnson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 22,680 residents in Johnson County. The Census Bureau estimates 22,051 for July 1, 2025, down 2.8% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 22,334 over 262 square miles of land.
| Measure | Johnson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 22,334 | 4,534,824 | −300 |
| Households | 9,040±291 | 1,814,469 | +552 |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.08 | 2.43 | −0.17 |
| Housing units | 10,583±29 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
Johnson County's population since 2000
From 23,445 in 2000 to 22,051 in 2025: down 5.9%. 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 Johnson County?
Johnson County holds 3 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Paintsville with 4,111 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Paintsville | 4,312 | $28,257 |
|---|---|---|
| Van LearGEOID 2179194 | 893 | $35,347 |
| West Van LearGEOID 2182056 | 768 | $66,815 |
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 Johnson County?
The median resident of Johnson County is 42.0 years old; 22.2% are under 18 and 19.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.9%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.5%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Johnson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0±0.9 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.2%±0.2 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.2%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.9%±1.4 pts | 81.5% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.9%±1.4 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 26.1%±2.7 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.4%±1.8 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.7%±2.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.8%±3.0 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.3%±2.1 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.7 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 Johnson County earn?
Half of Johnson County's 9,040 households earn less than $44,904 a year (±$4,843), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $45,603 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Johnson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,904±$4,843 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $61,524±$5,508 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,175±$2,101 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.8%±4.2 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 27.2%±9.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 25.3%±3.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.1%±2.7 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 Johnson County?
Owners occupy 68.3% of Johnson County's occupied homes and renters 31.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $120,200 by its owner (±$10,642). The median renter pays $708 a month including utilities, and 37.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Johnson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $120,200±$10,642 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $708±$57 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.4%±9.3 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,151±$110 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.3%±3.5 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,583±29 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.0%±1.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.9%±3.7 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 27.4%±3.6 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.1%±2.3 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 Johnson County building?
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Johnson County get to work?
83.3% of Johnson County's workers drive alone and 6.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Johnson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 47.3%±2.7 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±1.8 pts | 4.9% | −4.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 83.3%±3.2 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±2.2 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.9%±2.9 pts | 10.2% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.5 min±2.0 | 24.0 min | −6.7 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 Johnson County's census tracts?
Johnson County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,450 (Tract 9603) to $63,247 (Tract 9605).
| Tract 960121115960100 | 2,994±534 | $43,611 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960221115960200 | 2,918±509 | $45,455 |
| Tract 960321115960300 | 2,811±479 | $32,450 |
| Tract 9604.0121115960401 | 3,509±485 | $24,529 |
| Tract 9604.0221115960402 | 2,978±522 | $58,102 |
| Tract 960521115960500 | 3,188±515 | $63,247 |
| Tract 960621115960600 | 3,936±682 | $60,969 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Johnson County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 52nd of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 101st of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 120 |
| Median household income | 96th of 120 |
| Median home value | 90th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 88th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 29th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 62nd of 120 |
| Median age | 49th 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 Johnson 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.