2024
Democratic
Kamala Harris33.94%
Republican
Donald Trump64.47%
Two-party margin
R+30.5
State hub
Kentucky State Hub
U.S. Senate and House delegation, state governor, Census demographic snapshot (income, poverty, diversity, tax burden rank), presidential voting history, and links to live coverage, notable races, and the national map.
Key links for Kentucky
Census demographic snapshot
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 5-year (B01003, B19013, B01001, B03003, B03002; DP03 selected social characteristics); change vs ACS 2017 5-year population (B01003).
Population
4,502,935
Rank 26 of 51 · 1 = largest population
ACS 5-year total
Population density
114 people/sq mi
Rank 24 of 51 · 1 = densest
ACS population ÷ Census land area (square miles)
Pop. change (17→22)
+1.8%
Rank 34 of 51 · 1 = fastest growth
ACS total population comparison
Female / male
50.4% / 49.6%
Share of total population
Median household income
$60,183
Rank 45 of 51 · 1 = highest median income
Below poverty
16.1%
Rank 46 of 51 · 1 = lowest poverty rate
ACS profile, all people
Hispanic or Latino
4%
Any race
White (NH)
83.2%
Not Hispanic or Latino
Black (NH)
7.9%
Asian (NH)
1.5%
AIAN (NH)
0.1%
American Indian & Alaska Native alone
Two+ races (NH)
2.9%
Census metric ranks compare all jurisdictions in this snapshot (typically 50 states plus D.C.). Race and ethnicity categories follow Census definitions (e.g., Hispanic origin is asked separately from race). Percentages are shares of total population and may not sum to 100% because of rounding or other groups. State–local tax burden is not a Census figure; see the Tax Foundation link below for 50-state + D.C. rankings (1 = lowest aggregate burden).
Why this state votes this way
Demographics and long-run trends that commonly shape coverage and turnout narratives.
Kentucky's Census profile summarizes population scale, sex composition, race and Hispanic origin, and household income—baseline conditions analysts pair with polling and election returns when they discuss coalitions and regional turnout.
What often shows up in coverage
- A double-digit poverty rate (16.1%) highlights inequality and service-delivery pressures that often shape platform contrast and local organizing narratives.
- Demographic profile at a glance: White, non-Hispanic residents are about 83.2% of the population in this ACS snapshot, a baseline often used to frame coalition math and statewide messaging priorities.
These indicators are descriptive context for understanding electoral environments—they do not predict vote shares, winners, or partisan realignment.
Presidential voting history
How Kentucky has voted in two-party presidential general elections on this site: Democratic and Republican nominees with vote shares, and approximate two-party margin (who carried the state follows from the margin).
Context & notes
Southern-flavored state that votes Republican in presidential races while still electing Democrats to some statewide offices.
- Split-ticket patterns and Appalachian eastern Kentucky often feature in national reporting.
- Coal and manufacturing themes have historically shaped electoral storylines.
Results by year
2020
Democratic
Joe Biden36.15%
Republican
Donald Trump62.09%
Two-party margin
R+25.9
2016
Democratic
Hillary Clinton32.68%
Republican
Donald Trump62.52%
Two-party margin
R+29.8
2012
Democratic
Barack Obama37.80%
Republican
Mitt Romney60.49%
Two-party margin
R+22.7
2008
Democratic
Barack Obama41.17%
Republican
John McCain57.40%
Two-party margin
R+16.2
2004
Democratic
John Kerry39.69%
Republican
George W. Bush59.55%
Two-party margin
R+19.9
2000
Democratic
Al Gore41.38%
Republican
George W. Bush56.51%
Two-party margin
R+15.1
1996
Democratic
Bill Clinton45.84%
Republican
Bob Dole44.88%
Two-party margin
D+1.0
1992
Democratic
Bill Clinton44.55%
Republican
George H. W. Bush41.34%
Two-party margin
D+3.2
1988
Democratic
Michael Dukakis43.88%
Republican
George H. W. Bush55.52%
Two-party margin
R+11.6
1984
Democratic
Walter Mondale39.40%
Republican
Ronald Reagan60.01%
Two-party margin
R+20.6
1980
Democratic
Jimmy Carter47.65%
Republican
Ronald Reagan49.03%
Two-party margin
R+1.4
Percentages are major-party shares from this site's state data. Margins use those shares; third-party votes can make totals differ from the national popular vote. This is historical context, not a forecast.
Notable races involving Kentucky
No seeded race cards are available for Kentucky yet. Check back as coverage expands.
U.S. Congress (Kentucky)
119th CongressU.S. Senate
Caucus split
0D:2R
Mitch McConnellRSenior senator
Addison Mitchell McConnell III is an American politician and attorney serving as the senior United States senator from Kentucky, a seat he has held since 1985.
Rand PaulRJunior senator
Randal Howard Paul is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from Kentucky since 2011.
U.S. House delegation
Post-2024 election delegation totals (Wikipedia / Ballotpedia–style snapshot for the 119th Congress).
Seat split
1D:5R
Governor
Chief executive of Kentucky's state government (separate from the U.S. Congress above).
Andy BeshearD
Governor
Andrew Graham Beshear is an American politician and attorney serving since 2019 as the 63rd governor of Kentucky.