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Which counties in Kentucky are people leaving?

22 of the 120 counties in Kentucky had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Christian County had the largest net outflow for its size: 26.1 per 1,000 residents (−1,828 people). In people, Jefferson County had the largest net outflow (−7,878).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 5 of these 22 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 22 Kentucky counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in Kentucky
RankCountyPer 1,000 residents, 2025Net movers 2025ResidentsPopulation change 2020–25
1Christian County−26.1−1,82870,115−3.6%
2Union County−18.3−23512,839−5.9%
3Crittenden County−16.8−1488,807−2.2%
4Jefferson County−9.9−7,878795,222+1.6%
5Breathitt County−7.5−9412,558−8.3%
6Letcher County−5.7−11419,952−7.0%
7Leslie County−5.4−529,627−8.1%
8Perry County−4.8−12726,555−6.4%
9Harlan County−4.8−11824,725−7.6%
10Pike County−4.5−24654,721−6.4%
11Fayette County−4.2−1,392329,751+2.2%
12Henderson County−3.4−14944,255−0.9%
13Robertson County−2.6−62,325+6.6%
14Taylor County−2.5−6726,763+2.9%
15Bourbon County−2.5−5020,243−0.3%
16Knott County−2.0−2713,321−5.9%
17Magoffin County−1.3−1411,110−4.3%
18Cumberland County−1.2−75,992+2.3%
19Rowan County−1.1−2724,476−1.0%
20McCracken County−1.1−7167,553−0.5%
21Clinton County−0.7−69,139−1.0%
22Knox County−0.6−1929,532−2.2%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in Kentucky are the most people leaving?

For its size, Christian County: net domestic migration of −26.1 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−1,828 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Union County (−18.3) and Crittenden County (−16.8).

How many counties in Kentucky have more people moving out than in?

22 of the 120 counties in Kentucky had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 5 of these 22 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for Kentucky

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.