People are moving to Kentucky from these states the most, Census estimates reveal

More people moved to Kentucky in 2022 than the year prior, with the Bluegrass State successfully drawing away residents from its neighbors, new estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show.

The agency estimates more than 113,000 people residing in Kentucky in 2022 lived in a different state a year prior. Many came from border states, but Kentucky is also seeing moves from more populated states farther afield, such as Florida and Texas.

The estimated number of people moving from abroad to Kentucky was higher than moves from any individual U.S. state, however, with a total of 16,292 people relocating here, according to Census estimates.

Several factors could be influencing this trend. Americans have been moving to warmer states since the years following World War II, when air conditioning became more affordable and widespread. Although the trend has waxed and waned over the decades with economic booms and downturns, it’s seeing a resurgence in the present day.

Out-of-state transplants could also be enticed by the Bluegrass State’s relatively lower cost of living. Compared to the national average, Kentucky’s cost of living is 8% lower, according to apartment listing service RentCafe.

The Bluegrass State is also enjoying a healthy job market with historically low unemployment and a job openings rate that exceeds that of the nation.

Migration to Kentucky

Here’s a look at the top five states people are moving to Kentucky from, according to Census Bureau estimates:

1. Indiana, number of people: 12,947

2. Ohio, number of people: 12,646

3. Tennessee, number of people: 12,561

4. Florida, number of people: 8,062

5. Texas, number of people: 7,630

Here are the top five states Kentuckians are moving to:

1. Ohio, number of people: 13,836

2. Indiana, number of people: 9,350

3. Tennessee, number of people: 8,227

4. Florida, number of people: 8,141

5. Texas, number of people: 8,006

Do you have questions about Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Let us know through the Know Your Kentucky form below or email us at ask@herald-leader.com.

This story was originally published November 15, 2023 at 12:47 PM.

Aaron Mudd

Lexington Herald-Leader

Aaron Mudd was a service journalism reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, Centre Daily Times and Belleville News-Democrat. He was based at the Herald-Leader in Lexington, and left the paper in February 2026. Support my work with a digital subscription