Pulaski County, KY

County

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2024 Population

65,897

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

42.3

0.237% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

19.7%

2.76% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$51,898

1.87% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$166,900

6.78% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

26,435

1.06% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Pulaski County, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.2% of the residents in Pulaski County, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Pulaski County, KY are Somerset Community College (2,672 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Pulaski County, KY was $166,900, and the homeownership rate was 72.5%.

Most people in Pulaski County, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 23.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Pulaski County, KY was 2 cars per household.

Pulaski County, KY borders Casey County, KY, Laurel County, KY, Lincoln County, KY, McCreary County, KY, Rockcastle County, KY, Russell County, KY, and Wayne County, KY.

United States Kentucky Somerset, KY

Population & Diversity

Pulaski County, KY is home to a population of 65.9k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.91% of Pulaski County, KY residents were born outside of the country (1.26k people).

In 2024, there were 47.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (60.8k people) in Pulaski County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.27k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 975 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.2%

2024 Citizenship

99%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.2% of Pulaski County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Pulaski County, KY was 99%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Pulaski County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Pulaski County, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
60.8k ± 271
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
1.27k ± 235
White (Hispanic)
975 ± 179

3.1%

Hispanic Population

2.04k people

3.1% of the people in Pulaski County, KY are hispanic (2.04k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Pulaski County, KY as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
34,091 ± 4,516 people
Cuba
20,475 ± 3,505 people
India
12,629 ± 2,755 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 34,091 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 20,475 and India with 12,629.

Foreign-Born Population

1.91%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

1.26k people

1.93%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

1.26k people

As of 2024, 1.91% of Pulaski County, KY residents (1.26k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Pulaski County, KY was 1.93%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Pulaski County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,398 ± 273
Gulf War (2001-)
755 ± 228
Gulf War (1990s)
705 ± 286

Pulaski County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.85 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Pulaski County, KY.

Economy

The economy of Pulaski County, KY employs 26.4k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Pulaski County, KY were Health Care & Social Assistance (4,461 people), Manufacturing (4,018 people), and Retail Trade (3,472 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($147,700), Utilities ($105,064), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($60,096).

Employment

Occupations

26.4k

2024 Value

± 1,281

−1.06%

1 Year decline

± 6.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Pulaski County, KY declined at a rate of −1.06%, from 26.7k employees to 26.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Pulaski County, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,578 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,826 people), and Production Occupations (2,437 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Pulaski County, KY.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

26.4k

2024 Value

± 1,281

−1.06%

1 Year decline

± 6.99%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Pulaski County, KY declined at a rate of −1.06%, from 26.7k employees to 26.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Pulaski County, KY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (4,461 people), Manufacturing (4,018 people), and Retail Trade (3,472 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Pulaski County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Pulaski County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$43,599

Median earning men ± $2,321

$32,527

Median earning women ± $2,170

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($95,292), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($67,500), and Public Administration ($52,039).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($54,615), Construction ($48,750), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($45,565).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Y-Axis

2.51%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.98M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.51% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

124
Retail Trade
120
Health Care and Social Assistance
96
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$248k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$212k
Manufacturing
$129k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Pulaski County, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.5%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (33.9%)
Democratic Party
Robert Kennedy (0.808%)
Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Pulaski County, KY awarded 2,672 degrees. The student population of Pulaski County, KY in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 2,237 male students and 3,529 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Pulaski County, KY are White (2,544 and 95.2%), Two or More Races (47 and 1.76%), Hispanic or Latino (44 and 1.65%), and Asian (14 and 0.524%).

The largest universities in Pulaski County, KY by number of degrees awarded are Somerset Community College (2,672 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Pulaski County, KY are Liberal Arts & Sciences (324 and 12.1%), General Business Administration & Management (259 and 9.69%), and Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (238 and 8.91%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2023 there were 5,766 students enrolled in Pulaski County, KY, 38.8% men and 61.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 5,254 records, of which 61.5% were women and 38.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
216 degrees awarded
Electrician
123 degrees awarded
Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology
75 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in Pulaski County, KY was General Business Administration & Management with 216 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in Pulaski County, KY according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Somerset Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

2,672 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Somerset Community College with 2,672 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2023, 1,323 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Pulaski County, KY, which is 0.981 times less than the 1,349 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 2,544 degrees mean that there were 54.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 47 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($4,464) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($192) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,152) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Pulaski County, KY was $166,900 in 2024, which is 0.502 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $156,300 to $166,900, a 6.78% increase. The homeownership rate in Pulaski County, KY is 72.5%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Pulaski County, KY have an average commute time of 23.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Pulaski County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 14.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Pulaski County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.65%.

Housing

Property

$166,900

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,780

$18,996

Median Property Taxes

±$1,012

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Pulaski County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Pulaski County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

72.5%

Homeownership

2024

64.2%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 72.5% of the housing units in Pulaski County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 71.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Pulaski County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$51,898

Median Household Income

± $1,971

26.2k

Number of Households

± 1,275

In 2024, the median household income of the 26.2k households in Pulaski County, KY grew to $51,898 from the previous year's value of $50,943.

The following chart displays the households in Pulaski County, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Pulaski County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.449

2023 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.452

2022 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2023, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.449 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.729% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (79.7%)
Carpooled (11.8%)
Worked At Home (6.7%)

In 2024, 79.7% of workers in Pulaski County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.8%) and those who worked at home (6.7%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

23.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Pulaski County, KY have a shorter commute time (23.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.31% of the workforce in Pulaski County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Pulaski County, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Pulaski County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Pulaski County, KY have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 14.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Pulaski County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 2.65%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

19.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Pulaski County, KY (12.7k out of 64.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Pulaski County, KY is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 22.4% of the children was living in poverty in Pulaski County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 8.8%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 119 in Pulaski County, KY. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 6.78 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

93.9% of the population of Pulaski County, KY has health coverage, with 34.6% on employee plans, 31.2% on Medicaid, 13.8% on Medicare, 12.5% on non-group plans, and 1.8% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Pulaski County, KY see 1,392 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,392 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1430 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 207 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,392 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Pulaski County, KY

Primary care physicians in Pulaski County, KY see an average of 1,392 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,392 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Pulaski County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 23.8% under 18 years, 17.8% between 18 and 34 years, 39.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.2% were men and 50.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.12%

Uninsured

34.6%

Employer Coverage

31.2%

Medicaid

13.8%

Medicare

12.5%

Non-Group

1.8%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Pulaski County, KY declined by 7.98% from 6.65% to 6.12%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Pulaski County, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 62 in Pulaski County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Pulaski County, KY.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.3% in Pulaski County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Pulaski County, KY.