W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Kentucky

The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.

Researchers around the world have reported that Omicron is more transmissible than Delta, making breakthrough and repeat infections more likely. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death rates—especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.

The United States as of Jan. 7 reached 834,734 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 58.8 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 62.4% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 35.3% have received booster doses.

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kentucky using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the highest vaccination rate as of Jan. 6, 2022. Due to inconsistencies in reporting, some counties do not have vaccination data available. Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in your state.

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Johnson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (10,733 fully vaccinated)
— 11.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 361 (80 total deaths)
— 31.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,114 (4,241 total cases)
— 4.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Logan County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (13,172 fully vaccinated)
— 10.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 362 (98 total deaths)
— 31.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,722 (5,887 total cases)
— 8.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Henderson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.8% (22,057 fully vaccinated)
— 10.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 296 (134 total deaths)
— 7.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,422 (9,233 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Mason County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.8% (8,327 fully vaccinated)
— 10.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 480 (82 total deaths)
— 74.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,565 (3,169 total cases)
— 7.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Grayson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (12,936 fully vaccinated)
— 10.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 412 (109 total deaths)
— 49.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,835 (5,506 total cases)
— 4.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Washington County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (5,912 fully vaccinated)
— 10.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 430 (52 total deaths)
— 56.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,191 (2,805 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. McLean County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.0% (4,510 fully vaccinated)
— 10.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 478 (44 total deaths)
— 73.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,789 (1,822 total cases)
— 1.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Muhlenberg County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.1% (15,041 fully vaccinated)
— 9.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 330 (101 total deaths)
— 20.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,893 (6,704 total cases)
— 9.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Magoffin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (5,983 fully vaccinated)
— 9.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 288 (35 total deaths)
— 4.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,293 (2,711 total cases)
— 11.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Caldwell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (6,268 fully vaccinated)
— 9.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 424 (54 total deaths)
— 54.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,770 (2,775 total cases)
— 8.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Fleming County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (7,177 fully vaccinated)
— 9.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 295 (43 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,126 (2,643 total cases)
— 9.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Estill County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (6,949 fully vaccinated)
— 9.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 262 (37 total deaths)
— 4.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,070 (2,690 total cases)
— 4.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Hopkins County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (22,067 fully vaccinated)
— 9.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 495 (221 total deaths)
— 80.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,823 (9,752 total cases)
— 8.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Rowan County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (12,108 fully vaccinated)
— 9.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 188 (46 total deaths)
— 31.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,761 (4,589 total cases)
— 6.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Breathitt County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (6,257 fully vaccinated)
— 9.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (47 total deaths)
— 35.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,622 (2,352 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Nelson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (22,926 fully vaccinated)
— 9.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 240 (111 total deaths)
— 12.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,785 (10,072 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Leslie County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (4,924 fully vaccinated)
— 8.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 375 (37 total deaths)
— 36.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,180 (2,487 total cases)
— 25.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Powell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.1% (6,196 fully vaccinated)
— 8.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 227 (28 total deaths)
— 17.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,062 (3,221 total cases)
— 30.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Greenup County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.2% (17,603 fully vaccinated)
— 7.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 313 (110 total deaths)
— 13.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,628 (7,942 total cases)
— 12.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Bath County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (6,354 fully vaccinated)
— 6.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 272 (34 total deaths)
— 1.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,400 (2,050 total cases)
— 18.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Nicholas County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (3,705 fully vaccinated)
— 6.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (29 total deaths)
— 45.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,067 (1,386 total cases)
— 4.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Wolfe County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (3,660 fully vaccinated)
— 6.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 210 (15 total deaths)
— 23.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,406 (1,532 total cases)
— 6.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Pike County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (29,618 fully vaccinated)
— 6.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 394 (228 total deaths)
— 43.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,605 (12,504 total cases)
— 7.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Letcher County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (11,042 fully vaccinated)
— 6.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (86 total deaths)
— 45.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,547 (4,644 total cases)
— 7.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Henry County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (8,272 fully vaccinated)
— 5.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 236 (38 total deaths)
— 14.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,414 (3,292 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Jessamine County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (27,795 fully vaccinated)
— 5.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 209 (113 total deaths)
— 24.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,533 (10,029 total cases)
— 7.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Marshall County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (16,070 fully vaccinated)
— 5.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 280 (87 total deaths)
— 1.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,540 (5,766 total cases)
— 7.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Daviess County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.9% (52,653 fully vaccinated)
— 4.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (317 total deaths)
— 13.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,559 (20,870 total cases)
— 2.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Clark County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (18,842 fully vaccinated)
— 4.6% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 135 (49 total deaths)
— 50.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,206 (6,602 total cases)
— 9.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Mercer County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (11,483 fully vaccinated)
— 3.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 429 (94 total deaths)
— 56.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,184 (5,085 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Martin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (5,872 fully vaccinated)
— 3.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 348 (39 total deaths)
— 26.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,331 (2,276 total cases)
— 1.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Anderson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (11,972 fully vaccinated)
— 3.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 251 (57 total deaths)
— 8.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,732 (4,261 total cases)
— 6.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#18. McCracken County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (34,786 fully vaccinated)
— 2.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 310 (203 total deaths)
— 12.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,707 (12,238 total cases)
— 6.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Scott County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (30,434 fully vaccinated)
— 2.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 132 (75 total deaths)
— 52.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,279 (10,420 total cases)
— 8.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Bourbon County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.5% (10,784 fully vaccinated)
— 0.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 222 (44 total deaths)
— 19.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,093 (3,976 total cases)
— 0.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Boyle County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (16,414 fully vaccinated)
— 0.2% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 393 (118 total deaths)
— 42.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,190 (6,069 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Oldham County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.2% (36,900 fully vaccinated)
— 1.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 171 (114 total deaths)
— 37.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,699 (12,491 total cases)
— 6.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Floyd County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.2% (19,650 fully vaccinated)
— 1.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 413 (147 total deaths)
— 50.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,268 (8,281 total cases)
— 16.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Fulton County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (3,321 fully vaccinated)
— 2.0% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (23 total deaths)
— 40.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,910 (890 total cases)
— 25.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Hancock County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.6% (4,941 fully vaccinated)
— 3.9% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 218 (19 total deaths)
— 20.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,938 (1,739 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lyon County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.8% (4,662 fully vaccinated)
— 4.2% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 365 (30 total deaths)
— 32.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,017 (2,136 total cases)
— 29.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Hardin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.4% (63,725 fully vaccinated)
— 5.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 314 (348 total deaths)
— 14.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,552 (21,694 total cases)
— 2.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Kenton County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.6% (96,263 fully vaccinated)
— 5.7% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (322 total deaths)
— 29.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,920 (29,926 total cases)
— 10.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Franklin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.9% (30,052 fully vaccinated)
— 8.1% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 227 (116 total deaths)
— 17.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,268 (8,805 total cases)
— 13.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Boone County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.1% (78,965 fully vaccinated)
— 8.4% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 175 (234 total deaths)
— 36.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,234 (25,693 total cases)
— 4.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Perry County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.4% (15,311 fully vaccinated)
— 9.0% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 520 (134 total deaths)
— 89.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,335 (7,041 total cases)
— 36.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Campbell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.3% (56,453 fully vaccinated)
— 10.6% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 130 (122 total deaths)
— 52.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,945 (15,858 total cases)
— 15.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#3. Jefferson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.1% (468,400 fully vaccinated)
— 12.1% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 242 (1,859 total deaths)
— 12.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,561 (149,983 total cases)
— 2.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Fayette County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.5% (205,106 fully vaccinated)
— 16.5% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 149 (481 total deaths)
— 45.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,404 (62,703 total cases)
— 3.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Woodford County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.7% (17,020 fully vaccinated)
— 16.9% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 142 (38 total deaths)
— 48.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,402 (4,385 total cases)
— 18.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky