County · Kentucky
Nelson County, Kentucky
Nelson County, Kentucky. Nelson County had 49,036 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 7 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 21179.
Nelson 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
49,036
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 46,738 · ACS 2020-2024: 47,606
Median household income
$69,562
±$2,671 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$238,000
±$10,065 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$1,008
±$73 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Nelson County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 46,738 residents in Nelson County. The Census Bureau estimates 49,036 for July 1, 2025, up 4.9% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 47,606 over 419 square miles of land.
| Measure | Nelson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 47,606 | 4,534,824 | +1,956 |
| Households | 19,150±266 | 1,814,469 | +1,297 |
| Average household size | 2.46±0.03 | 2.43 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 20,330±34 | 2,023,116 | +1,279 |
Nelson County's population since 2000
From 37,477 in 2000 to 49,036 in 2025: up 30.8%. 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 Nelson County?
Nelson County holds 7 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Bardstown with 14,161 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bardstown | 13,567 | $51,381 |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield | 961 | $55,063 |
| New Haven | 798 | $70,000 |
| ChaplinGEOID 2114266 | 440 | $94,352 |
| BostonGEOID 2108722 | 253 | not published |
| New HopeGEOID 2155794 | 139 | not published |
| FairfieldGEOID 2126020 | 118 | $90,781 |
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 Nelson County?
The median resident of Nelson County is 39.5 years old; 23.0% are under 18 and 17.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 89.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 5.2%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Nelson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5±0.8 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.0%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.4%±0.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.9% | 5.0% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 89.1%±0.2 pts | 81.5% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 5.2%±0.5 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±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 | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.7%±0.6 pts | 4.7% | +1.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.2%±0.7 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.1%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 14.5%±1.5 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.1%±1.5 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.3%±1.5 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.8%±2.0 pts | 27.6% | +5.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.5%±1.2 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.6%±0.3 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 Nelson County earn?
Half of Nelson County's 19,150 households earn less than $69,562 a year (±$2,671), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $73,998 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Nelson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,562±$2,671 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,639±$4,002 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,010±$1,625 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.8%±1.7 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.7%±4.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.7%±1.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.6%±1.8 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 Nelson County?
Owners occupy 78.3% of Nelson County's occupied homes and renters 21.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $238,000 by its owner (±$10,065). The median renter pays $1,008 a month including utilities, and 44.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Nelson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $238,000±$10,065 | $205,600 | +$47,612 |
| Median gross rent | $1,008±$73 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.0%±6.8 pts | 36.6% | +17.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,379±$55 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.3%±2.4 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 20,330±34 | 2,023,116 | +1,279 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4%±3.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.7%±2.4 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.0%±1.4 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.5%±1.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.0%±1.2 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 Nelson County building?
Builders took permits for 222 new housing units across Nelson County in 2025 (186 single-family), 4.5 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 Nelson County get to work?
82.6% of Nelson County's workers drive alone and 6.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Nelson County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.2%±1.7 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3%±1.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.6%±2.5 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±1.5 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.0%±1.4 pts | 10.2% | +2.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.6 min±1.1 | 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 Nelson County's census tracts?
Nelson County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,794 (Tract 9303.03) to $90,226 (Tract 9302.02).
| Tract 930121179930100 | 3,911±448 | $66,909 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9302.0121179930201 | 6,847±641 | $84,894 |
| Tract 9302.0221179930202 | 2,391±437 | $90,226 |
| Tract 9303.0121179930301 | 5,058±700 | $75,833 |
| Tract 9303.0321179930303 | 3,417±438 | $48,794 |
| Tract 9303.0421179930304 | 7,007±1,033 | $52,094 |
| Tract 9303.0521179930305 | 1,740±230 | $56,548 |
| Tract 930421179930400 | 4,095±498 | $60,667 |
| Tract 930521179930500 | 6,243±830 | $80,310 |
| Tract 930621179930600 | 3,481±583 | $66,875 |
| Tract 930721179930700 | 3,416±515 | $85,820 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Nelson County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 22nd of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 25th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 120 |
| Median household income | 14th of 120 |
| Median home value | 14th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 14th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 110th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23rd 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 Nelson 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.