Bluegrass Times

Kentucky's population leaned heavily towards the 55 to 59 years demographic, according to U.S. Census Bureau data obtained by Bluegrass Times.

There were 308,608 individuals or 6.9% of the population falling within this age bracket.

The state registered a median age of 39, outpacing the national average of 38 in 2021.

Governor Andy Beshear | Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear

Data also showed that women had a longer life expectancy than men, with 1.1% of women population over the age of 84 in comparison to 0.6% of men. To provide a broader perspective, the U.S. recorded 1.2% of women in the same age bracket nationwide.

According to the 2021 census, the median age varied across different ethnicities in the state. The average white resident in Kentucky is 41 years old, while African Americans have a median age of 34 years old. The Asian population averages 33 years old, and Hispanics had an average of 25 years old.

Kentucky's total population stood at 4,494,141 individuals in 2021.

OurWorldinData.org, an online project tracking global data and trends, says cities, states, countries and continents with higher median ages typically do better economically and residents earn higher wages than developing countries.

The median age of a United States resident has risen from 29.5-years-old in 1960 to 38.4-years-old in 2019. It has risen fairly consistently by two years every decade since the 1970’s.

An agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, the Census Bureau is responsible for compiling statistical facts about the American people, places and economy. Data for this story was compiled from the bureau’s American Community Survey. Information from the survey helps to determine how federal and state funds are distributed. These funds significantly influence community services, education, and infrastructure in areas like Kentucky.

Age	Estimated Number	% of Overall Population
Under 5 years	270,859	6%
5 to 9 years	279,548	6.2%
10 to 14 years	295,536	6.6%
15 to 17 years	175,966	3.9%
18 and 19 years	120,062	2.7%
20 years	65,511	1.5%
21 years	59,742	1.3%
22 to 24 years	173,353	3.9%
25 to 29 years	299,736	6.7%
30 to 34 years	282,004	6.3%
35 to 39 years	283,124	6.3%
40 to 44 years	277,802	6.2%
45 to 49 years	282,354	6.3%
50 to 54 years	290,682	6.5%
55 to 59 years	308,608	6.9%
60 and 61 years	123,005	2.7%
62 to 64 years	171,398	3.8%
65 and 66 years	106,027	2.4%
67 to 69 years	147,170	3.3%
70 to 74 years	197,083	4.4%
75 to 79 years	127,303	2.8%
80 to 84 years	82,631	1.8%
85 years and over	74,637	1.7%

Source: US Census Bureau