Which Kentucky cities have the fastest growing populations? See the list
Despite the decline of Jefferson County's population in recent years, new data shows there's been an estimated rise in population numbers in small cities, with one city close to Louisville seeing a rapid increase and more than 50 cities growing by at least 3% since 2020.
The University of Louisville's Kentucky State Data Center found the fastest-growing cities by population percentage across the state using recently-released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. While Louisville population declined slightly, nearby Elizabethtown was shown to be the fastest-growing large city in the past year and has become the commonwealth's seventh largest city, according to a post from the organization on X, formerly Twitter.
Elizabethtown was #Kentucky's fastest-growing large city over the past year, with a population increase of 3.4%. Tiny Pippa Passes was the fastest growing city of any size, up more than 20%, followed by Elkton and Fort Wright. @uscensusbureaupic.twitter.com/OuvbVRzYEj
— Kentucky State Data Center (@UofLKSDC) May 16, 2024
Since the 2020 Census, 53 #Kentucky cities have grown by 3% or more. Richmond is the fastest growing large city (>20,000), but several others are also growing quickly. E-Town is estimated to have moved past Nicholasville and Florence to become the Commonwealth's 7th largest city. pic.twitter.com/jQdozpQcax
— Kentucky State Data Center (@UofLKSDC) May 16, 2024
Fastest-growing Kentucky cities by percentage
Here are the 10 fastest-growing cities in Kentucky, based on data from July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2020.
10. Smithfield
Smithfield, in Henry County, has seen a population increase of 2.4% since 2022 and 5.0% since 2020.
2020: 120
2021: 121
2022: 123
2023: 126
9. Richmond
Richmond, in Madison County, has seen a population increase of 3.0% since 2022 and 7.1% since 2020.
2020: 34,733
2021: 34,915
2022: 36,107
2023: 37,206
8. Highland Heights
Highland Heights, located in Campbell County, has seen an increase of 3.0% since 2022 and a slight decrease of 0.6% since 2020.
2020: 6,655
2021: 6,248
2022: 6,417
2023: 6,612
7. Blaine
In Lawrence County, Blaine has seen a population increase of 3.0% since 2022 and 0.0% since 2020.
2020: 68
2021: 68
2022: 66
2023: 68
6. Fairfield
Fairfield, in Nelson County, has seen a population increase of 3.2% since 2022 and 9.2% since 2020.
2020: 119
2021: 123
2022: 126
2023: 130
5. Berea
Berea, in Madison County, has seen a population increase of 3.3% since 2022 and 2.5% since 2020.
2020: 15,605
2021: 15,314
2022: 15,493
2023: 15,998
4. Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown, in Hardin County, has seen a population increase of 3.4% since 2022 and 5.0% since 2020.
2020: 31,408
2021: 31,943
2022: 31,883
2023: 32,978
3. Fort Wright
Fort Wright, in Kenton County, has seen a population increase of 4.2% since 2022 and 3.5% since 2020.
2020: 5,858
2021: 5,845
2022: 5,818
2023: 6,061
2. Elkton
Elkton, in Todd County, has seen a population increase of 4.2% since 2022 and 8.0% since 2020.
2020: 2,065
2021: 2,069
2022: 2,140
2023: 2,230
1. Pippa Passes
Pippa Passes, in Knott County, has seen a population increase of 20.2% since 2022 and 25.9% since 2020.
2020: 464
2021: 467
2022: 486
2023: 584
Related: Louisville is losing population while suburban counties grow. Can the city reverse course?
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Which Kentucky cities are growing the fastest?
