County · Kentucky
Spencer County, Kentucky
Spencer County, Kentucky. Spencer County had 20,998 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.1% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 2 places (1 city, village or borough and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 21215.
Spencer 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
20,998
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,490 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,193
Median household income
$102,618
±$12,041 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$330,000
±$11,906 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$987
±$56 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Spencer County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,490 residents in Spencer County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,998 for July 1, 2025, up 8.1% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,193 over 187 square miles of land.
| Measure | Spencer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,193 | 4,534,824 | +1,513 |
| Households | 7,308±157 | 1,814,469 | +545 |
| Average household size | 2.75±0.06 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,712±25 | 2,023,116 | +439 |
Spencer County's population since 2000
From 11,766 in 2000 to 20,998 in 2025: up 78.5%. 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 Spencer County?
Spencer County holds 2 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Elk Creek with 2,207 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Elk Creek | 1,986 | $144,100 |
|---|---|---|
| Taylorsville | 1,256 | $43,259 |
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 Spencer County?
The median resident of Spencer County is 42.9 years old; 22.5% are under 18 and 15.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.1%. 0.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Spencer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9±0.5 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.5%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.5%±0.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% | 5.0% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.5%±0.7 pts | 81.5% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 7.6% | −1.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| 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%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.1%±0.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.6%±0.8 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.0%±1.6 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.8%±2.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9%±1.4 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.0%±1.9 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 23.6%±3.0 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.6%±1.8 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±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 Spencer County earn?
Half of Spencer County's 7,308 households earn less than $102,618 a year (±$12,041), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $98,660 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Spencer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $102,618±$12,041 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $116,525±$8,604 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,368±$3,060 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.8%±3.1 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 14.0%±6.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.6%±2.3 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.3%±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 Spencer County?
Owners occupy 87.9% of Spencer County's occupied homes and renters 12.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $330,000 by its owner (±$11,906). The median renter pays $987 a month including utilities, and 31.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Spencer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $330,000±$11,906 | $205,600 | +$67,493 |
| Median gross rent | $987±$56 | $967 | +$188 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 31.4%±12.3 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,795±$84 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 87.9%±2.8 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,712±25 | 2,023,116 | +439 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.9%±1.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 90.5%±2.3 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.1%±2.0 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.5%±1.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.2%±2.1 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 Spencer County building?
Builders took permits for 85 new housing units across Spencer County in 2025 (85 single-family), 4.0 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 Spencer County get to work?
79.8% of Spencer County's workers drive alone and 13.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.0%.
| Measure | Spencer County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.7%±2.5 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0%±1.7 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±3.9 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.9%±2.5 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.3%±2.9 pts | 10.2% | +10.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.7 min±1.6 | 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 Spencer County's census tracts?
Spencer County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $71,900 (Tract 801.03) to $124,103 (Tract 801.01).
| Tract 801.0121215080101 | 5,074±506 | $124,103 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 801.0221215080102 | 6,545±557 | $117,074 |
| Tract 801.0321215080103 | 2,135±273 | $71,900 |
| Tract 80221215080200 | 6,439±588 | $78,843 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Spencer County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 57th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 5th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 26th of 120 |
| Median household income | 2nd of 120 |
| Median home value | 2nd of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 16th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 114th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24th of 120 |
| Median age | 25th 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 Spencer 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.