Data / Nelson County / Profile

Nelson County in figures

A profile of Nelson County from official statistics: 24 figures in 5 sections, each with its period, its change from a year earlier, its rank among similar places where a ranking exists, and its source.

Figures last updated on 2026-10-12.

People

Population in Nelson County was 49,036 in 2025, up 0.9% from 2024, and the 21st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Population49,0362025Up 0.9% from 2024The 21st highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Median age39.5 years2024Down 0.2 years from 2023Tied for the 25th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Population aged 65 and over19.4%2025Up 0.5 percentage points from 2024The 39th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Foreign-born population share2.7%2024Up 0.5 percentage points from 2023
Population density45.2 inhabitants per km²2025Up 0.9% from 2024
Net domestic migration, July to June2292025, estimatedCompared with 431 in 2024
46.5K47K47.5K48K48.5K49K49.5K2020202120222023202420252020: 46,785 persons2021: 47,149 persons2022: 47,430 persons2023: 47,909 persons2024: 48,609 persons2025: 49,036 persons
Population, 2020 to 2025. persons. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program); U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B01002: median age, total population; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, county population by age and sex (cc-est agesex): residents aged 65 and over as a percentage of the total, 1 July; states and the nation summed from counties; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B05002: foreign-born population as a percentage of the total population, calculated with stored inputs; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km²; U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program: net domestic migration, states and counties, July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the reported year; vintage 2020 files for 2011 to 2020 and the latest 2020s vintage from 2021. Population and demography statistics and rankings

Work and income

Unemployment rate in Nelson County was 4.1% (provisional) in August 2026, unchanged from August 2025, and tied for the 37th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Unemployment rate4.1%August 2026, provisionalUnchanged from August 2025Tied for the 37th lowest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Median household income$69,5622024Up 2.5% from 2023The 14th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Per capita personal income$58,6112024Up 3.9% from 2023The 20th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Poverty rate (US official measure)11.7%2024Down 1.2 percentage points from 2023
Gini index43.22024Up 1.2 points from 2023
34562021-072022-042023-012023-102024-072025-042026-082021-07: 5.2 %2021-08: 3.8 %2021-09: 4 %2021-10: 3.7 %2021-11: 4.1 %2021-12: 3.8 %2022-01: 5.2 %2022-02: 4.5 %2022-03: 5.6 %2022-04: 3.2 %2022-05: 4.4 %2022-06: 4.1 %2022-07: 4.7 %2022-08: 3.7 %2022-09: 3.5 %2022-10: 3.6 %2022-11: 3.5 %2022-12: 3.3 %2023-01: 4.7 %2023-02: 4.6 %2023-03: 4.2 %2023-04: 3 %2023-05: 3.6 %2023-06: 4.1 %2023-07: 4.2 %2023-08: 3.7 %2023-09: 3.6 %2023-10: 3.7 %2023-11: 3.8 %2023-12: 3.7 %2024-01: 4.5 %2024-02: 4.8 %2024-03: 4.6 %2024-04: 3.9 %2024-05: 4.2 %2024-06: 4.8 %2024-07: 5.8 %2024-08: 4.5 %2024-09: 4.3 %2024-10: 4.4 %2024-11: 4.3 %2024-12: 4.1 %2025-01: 4.9 %2025-02: 5.4 %2025-03: 4.6 %2025-04: 4.5 %2025-05: 4 %2025-06: 4.6 %2025-07: 5.1 %2025-08: 4.1 %2025-09: 4.1 %2025-11: 3.7 %2025-12: 3.3 %2026-01: 4.5 %2026-02: 5.3 %2026-03: 4.9 %2026-04: 4.3 %2026-05: 4.8 %2026-06: 5.5 %2026-07: 5.1 %2026-08: 4.1 %
Unemployment rate, July 2021 to August 2026. %. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by county, not seasonally adjusted.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by county, not seasonally adjusted; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19013: median household income in the past 12 months; U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC1: county annual personal income summary, per capita personal income, current dollars, individual counties and county equivalents; U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): percent of people of all ages in poverty, states and counties; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini index of household income inequality (coefficient multiplied by 100). Labor market statistics and rankings

Economy

GDP (US dollars) in Nelson County was $2.39 billion in 2024, up 5.7% from 2023, and the 25th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Gross domestic product (GDP), US dollars$2.39 billion2024Up 5.7% from 2023The 25th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
GDP per capita, US dollars$49,1612024Up 4.2% from 2023The 36th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Real GDP growth3.3%2024Up 1.3 percentage points from 2023Tied for the 48th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
5001,0001,5002,0002,50020012005200920132017202120242001: 851.5 USD million2002: 877 USD million2003: 922.9 USD million2004: 991.2 USD million2005: 1,028.1 USD million2006: 1,060 USD million2007: 1,097.1 USD million2008: 1,148.4 USD million2009: 1,112.2 USD million2010: 1,241.2 USD million2011: 1,276.8 USD million2012: 1,473.7 USD million2013: 1,679.9 USD million2014: 1,741.4 USD million2015: 1,740.5 USD million2016: 1,640 USD million2017: 1,624.7 USD million2018: 1,638.6 USD million2019: 1,676 USD million2020: 1,722.8 USD million2021: 1,887.4 USD million2022: 2,052 USD million2023: 2,264.5 USD million2024: 2,394.4 USD million
Gross domestic product (GDP), US dollars, 2001 to 2024. USD million. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAGDP1: county GDP summary, current-dollar GDP (published in thousands of dollars, shown in millions).

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAGDP1: county GDP summary, current-dollar GDP (published in thousands of dollars, shown in millions); Invokely, GDP in current dollars (BEA SAGDP2 and CAGDP1) divided by mid-year population (BEA SAINC1 and CAINC1); U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAGDP11: annual percent change in real GDP, all industry total, individual counties and county equivalents. Economy statistics and rankings

Prices and housing

Median home value in Nelson County was $238,000 in 2024, up 6.2% from 2023, and the 14th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Median home value$238,0002024Up 6.2% from 2023The 14th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
County house price annual change, sales and refinances4.69%2025Down 2.47 percentage points from 2024The 49th highest of 102 counties in Kentucky in 2022
Median gross rent (monthly)$1,0082024Up 8.2% from 2023The 14th highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Homeownership rate (US, housing units)78.3%2024Up 1.1 percentage points from 2023
Housing units authorized by building permits2222025, estimatedUp 5.7% from 2024
160K180K200K220K240K20212022202320242021: 169,500 USD2022: 204,000 USD2023: 224,100 USD2024: 238,000 USD
Median home value, 2021 to 2024. USD. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25077: median value (dollars), owner-occupied housing units.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25077: median value (dollars), owner-occupied housing units; Federal Housing Finance Agency, FHFA developmental all-transactions county house prices, published annual percent change, nominal, not seasonally adjusted; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25064: median gross rent (dollars), renter-occupied housing units paying cash rent; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25003: owner-occupied housing units as a percentage of occupied housing units, calculated with stored inputs; U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey: final annual county estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized, including imputation. Housing statistics and rankings

Business and tourism

Employer firms in Nelson County were 823 in 2023, up 0.9% from 2022, and the 22nd highest of 120 counties in Kentucky.

Employer firms8232023Up 0.9% from 2022The 22nd highest of 120 counties in Kentucky
Establishment entry rate9.219%2023Up 0.92 percentage points from 2022The 59th highest of 118 counties in Kentucky
Establishment exit rate8.134%2023Up 0.38 percentage points from 2022The 50th highest of 118 counties in Kentucky
Job creation rate11.07%2023Down 2.33 percentage points from 2022
Farms1,2412022No 2021 figure to compare
72575077580082585019992003200720112015201920231999: 742 count2000: 745 count2001: 756 count2002: 762 count2003: 786 count2004: 794 count2005: 797 count2006: 844 count2007: 832 count2008: 813 count2009: 806 count2010: 783 count2011: 780 count2012: 775 count2013: 783 count2014: 807 count2015: 840 count2016: 835 count2017: 789 count2018: 793 count2019: 809 count2020: 817 count2021: 816 count2022: 816 count2023: 823 count
Employer firms, 1999 to 2023. count. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics: employer firms, all covered industries, nation, states and counties.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics: employer firms, all covered industries, nation, states and counties; U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics: establishment entry rate, all covered industries, nation and states from 1978, counties from 2010; U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics: establishment exit rate, all covered industries, nation and states from 1978, counties from 2010; U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics: job creation rate, all covered industries, nation and states from 1978, counties from 2010; U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Census of Agriculture: number of farms, nation, states and counties (1997 to 2022). Companies statistics and rankings

Sources and citations

Each figure comes from the table cited here. Cite the publisher; these citations include any notice the publisher requires.

  1. U.S. Census Bureau. Annual estimates of the resident population for the United States, states and counties, 1 July (Population Estimates Program). https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  2. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B01002: median age, total population. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b01002.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  3. U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program, county population by age and sex (cc-est agesex): residents aged 65 and over as a percentage of the total, 1 July; states and the nation summed from counties. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/counties/asrh/cc-est2025-agesex-all.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  4. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B05002: foreign-born population as a percentage of the total population, calculated with stored inputs. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b05002.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  5. U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program resident population on 1 July divided by land area from the latest Census Gazetteer files, persons per km². https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  6. U.S. Census Bureau. Population Estimates Program: net domestic migration, states and counties, July 1 of the previous year to June 30 of the reported year; vintage 2020 files for 2011 to 2020 and the latest 2020s vintage from 2021. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/data-sets.html. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Local Area Unemployment Statistics: unemployment rate by county, not seasonally adjusted. https://download.bls.gov/pub/time.series/la/la.data.0.CurrentU25-29. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  8. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19013: median household income in the past 12 months. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b19013.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  9. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. CAINC1: county annual personal income summary, per capita personal income, current dollars, individual counties and county equivalents. https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/CAINC1.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-11.
  10. U.S. Census Bureau. Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE): percent of people of all ages in poverty, states and counties. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/datasets/2024/2024-state-and-county/est24all.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  11. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B19083: Gini index of household income inequality (coefficient multiplied by 100). https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b19083.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  12. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. CAGDP1: county GDP summary, current-dollar GDP (published in thousands of dollars, shown in millions). https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/CAGDP1.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  13. Invokely calculation from GDP in current dollars (BEA SAGDP2 and CAGDP1) divided by mid-year population (BEA SAINC1 and CAINC1). https://invokely.ai/docs/methodology#gdp_per_capita_usd. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  14. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. CAGDP11: annual percent change in real GDP, all industry total, individual counties and county equivalents. https://apps.bea.gov/regional/zip/CAGDP11.zip. Retrieved 2026-10-08.
  15. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25077: median value (dollars), owner-occupied housing units. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b25077.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  16. Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). FHFA developmental all-transactions county house prices, published annual percent change, nominal, not seasonally adjusted. https://www.fhfa.gov/hpi/download/annual/hpi_at_county.xlsx. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  17. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25064: median gross rent (dollars), renter-occupied housing units paying cash rent. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b25064.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  18. U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B25003: owner-occupied housing units as a percentage of occupied housing units, calculated with stored inputs. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/summary_file/2024/table-based-SF/data/5YRData/acsdt5y2024-b25003.dat. Retrieved 2026-10-09.
  19. U.S. Census Bureau. Building Permits Survey: final annual county estimates of new privately owned housing units authorized, including imputation. https://www2.census.gov/econ/bps/County/co2025a.txt. Retrieved 2026-10-10.
  20. U.S. Census Bureau. Business Dynamics Statistics: employer firms, all covered industries, nation, states and counties. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/bds/tables/time-series/2023/bds2023_st_cty.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-11.
  21. U.S. Census Bureau. Business Dynamics Statistics: establishment entry rate, all covered industries, nation and states from 1978, counties from 2010. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/bds/tables/time-series/2023/bds2023_st_cty.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  22. U.S. Census Bureau. Business Dynamics Statistics: establishment exit rate, all covered industries, nation and states from 1978, counties from 2010. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/bds/tables/time-series/2023/bds2023_st_cty.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  23. U.S. Census Bureau. Business Dynamics Statistics: job creation rate, all covered industries, nation and states from 1978, counties from 2010. https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/bds/tables/time-series/2023/bds2023_st_cty.csv. Retrieved 2026-10-12.
  24. Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Census of Agriculture. Census of Agriculture: number of farms, nation, states and counties (1997 to 2022). Retrieved through Data Commons (datacommons.org). https://www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus/. Retrieved 2026-10-11. Retrieved through Data Commons (https://datacommons.org).

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