County · Kentucky
Meade County, Kentucky
Meade County, Kentucky. Meade County had 30,699 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 5 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 21163.
Meade County is one of the 12 counties of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
30,699
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 30,003 · ACS 2020-2024: 30,158
Median household income
$74,355
±$4,361 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$207,900
±$13,511 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$1,026
±$63 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Meade County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 30,003 residents in Meade County. The Census Bureau estimates 30,699 for July 1, 2025, up 2.3% since 2020, in line with Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 30,158 over 305 square miles of land.
| Measure | Meade County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 30,158 | 4,534,824 | +1,976 |
| Households | 11,007±321 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.72±0.08 | 2.43 | +0.11 |
| Housing units | 12,237±33 | 2,023,116 | −205 |
Meade County's population since 2000
From 26,349 in 2000 to 30,699 in 2025: up 16.5%. 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 Meade County?
Meade County holds 5 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Brandenburg with 3,003 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Brandenburg | 2,894 | $49,844 |
|---|---|---|
| Doe ValleyGEOID 2121844 | 2,270 | $109,135 |
| Fort Knox | 7,742 | $82,663 |
| Muldraugh | 1,040 | $60,508 |
| Ekron | 175 | $42,500 |
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 Meade County?
The median resident of Meade County is 39.5 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 15.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.2%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Meade County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5±1.0 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.6%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.2% | 5.0% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.0%±0.4 pts | 81.5% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.3%±0.3 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 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 | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±0.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6%±1.0 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 12.1%±2.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 19.6%±1.8 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.1%±1.2 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.0%±1.4 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.0%±2.7 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±1.3 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.9%±1.4 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 Meade County earn?
Half of Meade County's 11,007 households earn less than $74,355 a year (±$4,361), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $69,661 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 12.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Meade County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,355±$4,361 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $93,797±$5,209 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,483±$1,837 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 12.2%±2.2 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.1%±5.0 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.5%±2.7 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.5%±2.3 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 Meade County?
Owners occupy 74.1% of Meade County's occupied homes and renters 25.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $207,900 by its owner (±$13,511). The median renter pays $1,026 a month including utilities, and 31.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Meade County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $207,900±$13,511 | $205,600 | +$18,988 |
| Median gross rent | $1,026±$63 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.4%±6.1 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,344±$93 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.1%±3.2 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,237±33 | 2,023,116 | −205 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.0%±2.8 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.1%±2.8 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.4%±2.6 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±1.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.6%±1.7 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 Meade County building?
Builders took permits for 165 new housing units across Meade County in 2025 (165 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 Meade County get to work?
81.1% of Meade County's workers drive alone and 9.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 33.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.8%.
| Measure | Meade County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.8%±2.1 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8%±1.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.1%±3.2 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0%±2.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.6%±2.2 pts | 10.2% | +7.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 33.0 min±2.6 | 24.0 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 are Meade County's census tracts?
Meade County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $60,508 (Tract 9701) to $88,438 (Tract 9704.04).
| Tract 970121163970100 | 1,127±195 | $60,508 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970221163970200 | 2,339±388 | $82,315 |
| Tract 9703.0121163970301 | 3,407±568 | $79,861 |
| Tract 9703.0221163970302 | 6,477±803 | $76,982 |
| Tract 9704.0121163970401 | 5,103±795 | $69,550 |
| Tract 9704.0321163970403 | 4,843±487 | $63,510 |
| Tract 9704.0421163970404 | 3,416±487 | $88,438 |
| Tract 970521163970500 | 3,405±471 | $70,524 |
| Tract 980121163980100 | 41±38 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Meade County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 35th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 55th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 120 |
| Median household income | 12th of 120 |
| Median home value | 23rd of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 12th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 104th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 120 |
| Median age | 93rd 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 Meade 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.