The Largest City in Kentucky Now and in 30 Years

Kentucky ranks 26^th out of 50 in terms of state population in the U.S. In 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau found that 4,505,893 people were living in this state. Like other states, some cities in Kentucky are more densely populated than others. Discover the largest city in Kentucky now and in 30 years based on the population in the region. See which city is poised to be the largest in the future and why it will probably remain the same.

What Is the Largest City in Kentucky Now?

The largest city in Kentucky now is Louisville, and the city and metro area have a combined population of 624,444 as of 2022. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the Louisville city proper has a population of about 246,161 people.

Louisville is in the northwestern part of the state. The city is along the Ohio River, a body of water that forms a border with Indiana. Louisville famously hosts the Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs, the first portion of the Triple Crown. The city has a long, storied history and many unique neighborhoods.

The second-most populous city in Kentucky, Lexington, has a population of 320,347 people. The population of Lexington and Louisville, when not counting its metro population, can be confusing. Nevertheless, Louisville is the largest city in the Bluegrass State.

So, Louisville has a significant population advantage over every other city that is in the state today.

What Will be the Largest City in Kentucky in 2050?

Louisville will remain the largest city in Kentucky in 30 years. A few factors play into this prediction. For starters, Louisville has such a massive lead in overall population. Lexington will not double its population to overtake Louisville’s even if the latter city’s population remains stagnant for 30 more years.

Another thing to keep in mind is that both cities are currently losing population. Louisville’s population dropped by 1.3% from 2020 to 2022, and Lexington’s dropped 0.7% during the same years. This will reduce the amount of growth the cities can achieve over the next few decades.

However, both cities are likely to bounce back and start gaining members of their population again in the future. The recent COVID-19 pandemic and the economic fallout resulting from it are likely to end at some point soon, and the population will increase in the region.

Still, the predicted populations for 2050 issued since 2022 will probably be less than any population predictions made before 2020.  

Predicting the Population in Louisville in 2050

Knowing that the largest city in Kentucky now and in 30 years is Louisville, it’s time to consider the expected population in this area in 2050. According to the Kentucky Data Center at the University of Louisville, the population in Jefferson County will increase by about 55,241 people between 2020 and 2040.

Over 20 years, the population will increase to almost 680,000 people. If that rate of growth holds, then the population increases by about 2,800 people per year, so an additional 28,000 or so people could live in the area by 2050.

That brings the total population of Louisville in 2050 up to around 710,000 people. Of course, that will greatly outpace the population in Lexington and every other city in the state. However, the counties surrounding Louisville, especially Spender, Shelby, and Oldham, will grow at a more rapid pace. None of those areas have a base population that would allow them to surpass Louisville, though.   

Why Is Louisville Attracting Residents?

So, Louisville is going to remain the largest city in Kentucky, but why are people moving to this area? For starters, Louisville has a more affordable housing market than the majority of places in the United States. In 2022, the average home cost in the city was $206,900, about $85,000 less than the national average at that time. People can get more for their money when buying a home in this area.

Another reason that people love moving to this city is the job market is robust. The city has headquarters for Humana, Kroger Co., and many other businesses. People from all sorts of working backgrounds can find employment in this city.

Another great thing that draws people to this city is that there are a lot of events in the city. Horse racing, holiday festivals, musical performances, a vibrant nightlife, and much more await people who move to this area. Moreover, the city is right on the Ohio River and includes the Jefferson Memorial Forest. People who love nature can find a lot of great opportunities to explore the great outdoors in Kentucky.

All these reasons and more continue to attract people to this part of the state.  

Wildlife Near Louisville

Louisville has many different animals living near the city and within its borders. We’re going to take a look at some of the animals that thrive in the nearby Ohio River and the region around the city.

Let’s start by looking at some of the fish that live in the waters near the city, such as:

• Sauger
• Walleye
• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Blue catfish
• Channel catfish
• Flathead catfish

Aside from the fish in the Ohio River, many other animals live in this part of the state. Some of the animals that people can see in this region are:

• Mourning dove
• Canada goose
• Common box turtle
• Eastern mole
• Spotted salamander
• Red fox
• Virginia opossum
• Nine-banded armadillo
• Coyote
• Cave salamander

A vast assortment of other animals live in this part of the country as well.

The largest city in Kentucky now and in 50 years is Louisville. The city may not be a metropolis like New York City, but it is very populated and will continue to grow into the future. While recent issues like the cost-of-living crisis facing many people in the U.S. could slow the projected growth of Louisville and other cities, Derby City will remain the most populous in the state for the foreseeable future.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Sean Pavone/iStock via Getty Images