Largest Cities in Kentucky

Top 86 cities ranked by largest cities

Largest Cities Smallest Cities Most Dense Least Dense Highest Income Lowest Income Lowest Unemployment Highest Unemployment Lowest Poverty Highest Poverty Highest Home Value Most Affordable Highest Rent Lowest Rent Most Educated Youngest Cities Oldest Cities Safest Cities Highest Crime Warmest Cities Coldest Cities Rainiest Cities Driest Cities

All Countries · United States · Kentucky

Largest Cities — Kentucky

1 Louisville/Jefferson County 627,210

2 Lexington-Fayette urban county 321,122

3 Bowling Green 73,638

4 Owensboro 60,112

5 Covington 40,902

6 Georgetown 38,206

7 Richmond 35,498

8 Florence 32,334

9 Elizabethtown 31,870

10 Nicholasville 31,625

11 Hopkinsville 31,011

12 Independence 29,024

13 Jeffersontown 28,988

14 Frankfort 28,452

15 Henderson 27,994

16 Paducah 26,894

17 Radcliff 22,967

18 Ashland 21,405

19 Erlanger 19,677

20 Madisonville 19,442

21 Winchester 19,133

22 Mount Washington 18,228

23 Burlington 18,090

24 Murray 17,888

25 St. Matthews 17,491

26 Shelbyville 17,436

27 Fort Thomas 17,242

28 Danville 17,235

29 Berea 15,557

30 Shively 15,556

31 Glasgow 15,141

32 Shepherdsville 14,351

33 Newport 14,039

34 Bardstown 13,673

35 Somerset 12,108

36 Lawrenceburg 11,838

37 Campbellsville 11,523

38 Fort Campbell North 11,483

39 Lyndon 10,956

40 Alexandria 10,430

41 Versailles 10,382

42 Francisville 10,313

43 Franklin 10,254

44 La Grange 10,188

45 Paris 10,107

46 Mayfield 9,905

47 Middletown 9,622

48 Oakbrook 9,459

49 Middlesborough 9,258

50 Elsmere 9,151

51 Harrodsburg 9,126

52 Maysville 8,778

53 Hillview 8,735

54 Fort Knox 8,715

55 Fort Mitchell 8,676

56 Corbin 8,430

57 Edgewood 8,429

58 Oak Grove 7,945

59 London 7,576

60 Pikeville 7,560

61 Mount Sterling 7,549

62 Union 7,494

63 Villa Hills 7,378

64 Flatwoods 7,281

65 Russellville 7,244

66 Morehead 6,924

67 Taylor Mill 6,880

68 Vine Grove 6,721

69 Hebron 6,637

70 Highland Heights 6,531

71 Leitchfield 6,434

72 Cynthiana 6,412

73 Lebanon 6,364

74 Cold Spring 6,298

75 Crestwood 6,275

76 Princeton 6,242

77 Wilmore 6,031

78 Fort Wright 5,882

79 Monticello 5,741

80 Central City 5,736

81 Dayton 5,703

82 Bellevue 5,598

83 Walton 5,513

84 Douglass Hills 5,437

85 Williamsburg 5,226

86 Hazard 5,105

The largest cities in Kentucky represent major centers of economic activity, cultural influence, and population growth. Louisville/Jefferson County leads with a population of 627,210, followed by Lexington-Fayette urban county and Bowling Green. These cities serve as hubs for employment, education, and innovation, attracting residents from across the country and around the world.

Population size is a key indicator of a city's economic influence and infrastructure capacity. Larger cities typically offer more diverse job markets, extensive public transit systems, and a wider range of cultural amenities. KY dominates the top 10 with 10 cities on the list, reflecting the state's strong economic pull and quality of life.

While large populations bring economic advantages, they also present challenges including higher costs of living, traffic congestion, and housing affordability concerns. Many of these cities have experienced significant growth over the past decade, driven by job opportunities in technology, healthcare, and professional services.

Did You Know?

1. Louisville/Jefferson County's population is larger than that of many small nations.
2. KY has 10 cities in the top 10, more than any other state.
3. The 50th largest city still has a population of 9,151 — larger than most cities worldwide.
4. The top 5 cities combined have a population of 1,122,984.

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