County · Kentucky
Russell County, Kentucky
Russell County, Kentucky. Russell County had 18,608 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.4% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 2 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 21207.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,608
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,991 · ACS 2020-2024: 18,221
Median household income
$44,738
±$7,625 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$163,200
±$15,291 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$681
±$45 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Russell County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,991 residents in Russell County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,608 for July 1, 2025, up 3.4% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 18,221 over 253 square miles of land.
| Measure | Russell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 18,221 | 4,534,824 | +443 |
| Households | 7,562±282 | 1,814,469 | +640 |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.09 | 2.43 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 10,169±30 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
Russell County's population since 2000
From 16,315 in 2000 to 18,608 in 2025: up 14.1%. 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 Russell County?
Russell County holds 2 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Russell Springs with 2,828 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Russell Springs | 2,715 | $38,697 |
|---|---|---|
| Jamestown | 1,867 | $20,541 |
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 Russell County?
The median resident of Russell County is 42.0 years old; 23.1% are under 18 and 20.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.6%. 2.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Russell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0±0.8 | 39.1 | −1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 23.1%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.6%±0.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.6% | 5.0% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.5%±0.8 pts | 81.5% | −2.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.4%±1.1 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±1.3 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 24.0%±2.3 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6%±1.9 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 81.8%±3.1 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.4%±2.8 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6%±2.1 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±0.8 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 Russell County earn?
Half of Russell County's 7,562 households earn less than $44,738 a year (±$7,625), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $47,246 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 23.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Russell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,738±$7,625 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $68,696±$7,620 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,055±$3,123 | $35,821 | +$3,612 |
| People below the poverty line | 23.1%±4.3 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.2%±6.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 17.7%±3.2 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.2%±3.1 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 Russell County?
Owners occupy 70.8% of Russell County's occupied homes and renters 29.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $163,200 by its owner (±$15,291). The median renter pays $681 a month including utilities, and 33.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Russell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $163,200±$15,291 | $205,600 | +$46,284 |
| Median gross rent | $681±$45 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.0%±8.6 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,219±$117 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.8%±4.5 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,169±30 | 2,023,116 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.2%±1.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.4%±2.8 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.9%±3.4 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.0%±3.2 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7%±1.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.2%±1.3 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 Russell County building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across Russell County in 2025 (5 single-family), 0.3 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 Russell County get to work?
80.5% of Russell County's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.4%.
| Measure | Russell County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.2%±3.2 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.4%±2.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 80.5%±4.9 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.8%±4.7 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±1.5 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3%±1.9 pts | 10.2% | +3.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.8 min±1.9 | 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 Russell County's census tracts?
Russell County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,818 (Tract 9603) to $56,477 (Tract 9604).
| Tract 9601.0121207960101 | 3,903±702 | $48,152 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9601.0221207960102 | 5,480±723 | $52,196 |
| Tract 960221207960200 | 1,756±304 | $40,474 |
| Tract 960321207960300 | 3,822±557 | $36,818 |
| Tract 960421207960400 | 3,260±492 | $56,477 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Russell County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 65th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 52nd of 120 |
| Median household income | 98th of 120 |
| Median home value | 52nd of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 91st of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 27th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 76th 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 Russell 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.