Kentucky is one of the states that has experienced a significant population decline in recent years, mainly due to domestic out-migration. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Kentucky lost about 12,000 residents between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, a 0.3% decrease from the previous year. This trend has been ongoing since 2018, when the state’s population peaked at 4.47 million.

While some parts of Kentucky, such as Lexington and Bowling Green, have seen modest population growth, others have witnessed a mass exodus of residents. Here are some of the cities that have been losing the most people in Kentucky:

Louisville

Louisville, the largest city in Kentucky and the home of the famous Kentucky Derby, has been suffering from a steady population decline since 2017. The city lost about 5,000 residents between 2021 and 2022, a 0.6% drop from the previous year. The city’s population was estimated at 766,757 in 2022, down from 775,714 in 2017.

Some of the factors that may have contributed to Louisville’s population loss include high crime rates, low economic opportunities, and poor quality of life. Louisville ranked as the 11th most dangerous city in the U.S. in 2021, with a violent crime rate of 1,039 per 100,000 residents. The city also had a median household income of $54,546 in 2019, lower than the national average of $62,843. Additionally, Louisville scored poorly on several livability indicators, such as health, education, environment, and social equity.

Owensboro

Owensboro, the fourth largest city in Kentucky and the birthplace of bluegrass music, has also seen a significant population decline in recent years. The city lost about 1,300 residents between 2021 and 2022, a 1.3% decrease from the previous year. The city’s population was estimated at 96,556 in 2022, down from 99,927 in 2017.

Some of the reasons that may have driven people away from Owensboro include lack of diversity, cultural amenities, and job opportunities. Owensboro is predominantly white, with 86.4% of the population identifying as non-Hispanic white in 2019. The city also has a limited range of entertainment and cultural options, with few museums, theaters, or festivals. Moreover, Owensboro has a low median household income of $46,599 in 2019, and a high poverty rate of 18.5%.

Paducah

Paducah, the county seat of McCracken County and the hub of the Jackson Purchase region, has also experienced a notable population decline in recent years. The city lost about 900 residents between 2021 and 2022, a 1.5% drop from the previous year. The city’s population was estimated at 60,418 in 2022, down from 63,316 in 2017.

Some of the factors that may have influenced people to leave Paducah include aging infrastructure, environmental issues, and limited economic prospects. Paducah has an old and deteriorating water and sewer system, which has led to frequent water main breaks, boil water advisories, and sewer overflows. The city also faces environmental challenges, such as flooding, erosion, and contamination from a former uranium enrichment plant. Furthermore, Paducah has a low median household income of $40,718 in 2019, and a high unemployment rate of 7.1% in 2020 .

Conclusion

Kentucky is facing a mass exodus of residents, especially from some of its largest and most historic cities. Louisville, Owensboro, and Paducah are among the cities that have been losing the most people in recent years, due to various social, economic, and environmental factors. These cities need to address their challenges and improve their attractiveness, or they may continue to see their populations dwindle in the future.