Census data: Lexington’s population passed several major U.S. cities last decade
Lexington remains the second-most populated city in Kentucky after substantial growth, but it leapfrogged a major neighbor over the last decade.
According to the latest data released by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population estimate for Lexington-Fayette County as of July 1, 2019, was 323,152, putting it No. 60 overall among all U.S. cities, three spots higher than where it ranked in 2010.
Louisville-Jefferson County, the state’s most populated area, ranked No. 29 overall with an estimated population of 617,638 last July, though that is a “balance” estimate that will increase once the census is complete. (In the census, a balance figure is that of a consolidated city minus the semi-independent incorporated places within that city. Indianapolis and Nashville are among the other cities currently showing a “balance” total.)
Both of Kentucky’s largest cities now rank ahead of Cincinnati, which fell one spot from 2010 to No. 64 overall. Ohio’s third-largest city experienced 2.3 percent growth over the decade, rising to 303,940 overall.
Lexington experienced substantial growth from April 2010 to July 1 of last year. Its population grew by 27,282, or 9.2 percent, from the 295,870 estimated total in 2010. Louisville grew by 21,928, at a rate of 3.7 percent.
In addition to Cincinnati, Lexington now also ranks ahead of St. Louis — which has lost more than 19,000 citizens since 2010 — and Pittsburgh, down about 6,000 people since then.
Bowling Green, the state’s third most populous city, ranks 515th overall in the country. But Bowling Green experienced more growth than any of Kentucky’s major cities; its population shot up to 70,543, a rise of 18.7 percent.
Owensboro, the only other Kentucky city with a total population of 50,000 or more, ranked 625th overall with a population of 60,131 (an increase of 4.6 percent from 2010).
Covington ranked fifth among Kentucky’s largest cities at 40,341, a 0.7 percent drop since 2010.
Richmond remained the state’s sixth-largest city (36,157) and has grown by 15.4 percent since 2010, the fifth-fastest growth among all Kentucky cities.
Georgetown, seventh-largest with a population of 34,992, ranked No. 1 in growth, rising 20.1 percent in the last decade. Florence (33,004; 11.8% increase), Nicholasville (30,865; 10.1% increase) and Hopkinsville (30,680; 2.9% decline) rounded out the top 10.
Berea (16,026 population, 18.2% increase) and Shelbyville (16,585; 16.8% increase) rounded out the state’s fastest risers at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
Among all large U.S. cities, Indianapolis ranks No. 17 with an estimated population of 876,384, a 6.8 percent increase from 2010. Nashville ranks 23 overall with a population of 670,820, an increase of 11.2 percent over the decade.
New York City remains, far and away, the largest city in America with a total estimated population of 8,336,817, a 2 percent increase since 2010. The rest of the top 10 were Los Angeles (3,979,576); Chicago (2,693,976); Houston (2,320,268); Phoenix (1,680,992); Philadelphia (1,584,064); San Antonio (1,547,253); San Diego (1,423,851); Dallas (1,343,573) and San Jose (1,021,795).
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 6:59 AM.
