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. 21 reached 861,392 COVID-19-related deaths and 69.5 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 63.2% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 39.3% 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. 20, 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: 48.8% (10,828 fully vaccinated)
— 11.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 370 (82 total deaths)
— 30.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,845 (4,625 total cases)
— 9.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Logan County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (13,325 fully vaccinated)
— 11.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 365 (99 total deaths)
— 29.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,585 (6,663 total cases)
— 6.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Washington County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (5,957 fully vaccinated)
— 10.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (53 total deaths)
— 54.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,523 (3,087 total cases)
— 11.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Henderson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.3% (22,273 fully vaccinated)
— 10.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 303 (137 total deaths)
— 7.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,944 (10,825 total cases)
— 4.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Mason County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (8,430 fully vaccinated)
— 10.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 516 (88 total deaths)
— 82.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,142 (3,609 total cases)
— 8.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Muhlenberg County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (15,159 fully vaccinated)
— 10.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (104 total deaths)
— 20.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,211 (7,720 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. McLean County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (4,563 fully vaccinated)
— 10.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 478 (44 total deaths)
— 68.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,439 (2,066 total cases)
— 2.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Grayson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (13,114 fully vaccinated)
— 10.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 424 (112 total deaths)
— 49.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,211 (6,134 total cases)
— 1.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Magoffin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (6,052 fully vaccinated)
— 9.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 296 (36 total deaths)
— 4.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,241 (2,948 total cases)
— 5.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

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

#41. Fleming County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (7,260 fully vaccinated)
— 9.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 302 (44 total deaths)
— 6.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,807 (2,888 total cases)
— 13.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Rowan County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (12,216 fully vaccinated)
— 9.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 196 (48 total deaths)
— 30.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,658 (5,053 total cases)
— 10.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Estill County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.0% (7,050 fully vaccinated)
— 9.6% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 269 (38 total deaths)
— 4.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,686 (2,918 total cases)
— 10.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Hopkins County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.1% (22,371 fully vaccinated)
— 9.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 499 (223 total deaths)
— 76.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,764 (11,066 total cases)
— 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Leslie County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (4,972 fully vaccinated)
— 9.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (39 total deaths)
— 39.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,648 (2,632 total cases)
— 15.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Nelson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (23,257 fully vaccinated)
— 9.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 264 (122 total deaths)
— 6.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,023 (11,569 total cases)
— 8.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Caldwell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (6,454 fully vaccinated)
— 8.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 431 (55 total deaths)
— 52.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,139 (3,077 total cases)
— 5.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Greenup County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (17,763 fully vaccinated)
— 8.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 319 (112 total deaths)
— 12.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,551 (9,319 total cases)
— 15.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Powell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.7% (6,264 fully vaccinated)
— 8.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 243 (30 total deaths)
— 14.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,096 (3,596 total cases)
— 26.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Breathitt County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (6,428 fully vaccinated)
— 8.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 388 (49 total deaths)
— 37.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,451 (2,583 total cases)
— 11.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Letcher County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (11,111 fully vaccinated)
— 6.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 404 (87 total deaths)
— 42.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,943 (4,945 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Pike County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (29,839 fully vaccinated)
— 6.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 404 (234 total deaths)
— 42.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,499 (13,600 total cases)
— 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Nicholas County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (3,755 fully vaccinated)
— 6.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (29 total deaths)
— 41.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,911 (1,520 total cases)
— 9.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Bath County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.7% (6,467 fully vaccinated)
— 6.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 272 (34 total deaths)
— 3.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,816 (2,227 total cases)
— 22.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Wolfe County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.9% (3,712 fully vaccinated)
— 6.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 224 (16 total deaths)
— 20.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,501 (1,682 total cases)
— 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Jessamine County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (28,114 fully vaccinated)
— 6.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 214 (116 total deaths)
— 24.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,083 (11,950 total cases)
— 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Marshall County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.1% (16,204 fully vaccinated)
— 5.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 293 (91 total deaths)
— 3.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,106 (6,564 total cases)
— 8.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Henry County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (8,415 fully vaccinated)
— 5.6% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (40 total deaths)
— 12.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,775 (3,834 total cases)
— 3.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Daviess County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (53,296 fully vaccinated)
— 5.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (330 total deaths)
— 14.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,976 (24,338 total cases)
— 4.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Mercer County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (11,556 fully vaccinated)
— 4.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 433 (95 total deaths)
— 53.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,792 (5,657 total cases)
— 12.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Martin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.8% (5,913 fully vaccinated)
— 4.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (43 total deaths)
— 35.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,929 (2,455 total cases)
— 4.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Clark County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (19,166 fully vaccinated)
— 4.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 138 (50 total deaths)
— 51.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,815 (7,548 total cases)
— 9.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Anderson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (12,201 fully vaccinated)
— 3.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 255 (58 total deaths)
— 9.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,365 (4,860 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#18. McCracken County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.8% (35,218 fully vaccinated)
— 2.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 313 (205 total deaths)
— 10.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,366 (13,977 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Scott County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.9% (30,739 fully vaccinated)
— 2.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 140 (80 total deaths)
— 50.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,362 (12,177 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Boyle County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (16,558 fully vaccinated)
— 0.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 393 (118 total deaths)
— 38.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,883 (6,578 total cases)
— 4.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Floyd County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (19,797 fully vaccinated)
— 0.5% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 421 (150 total deaths)
— 48.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,182 (8,962 total cases)
— 9.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Bourbon County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.9% (11,065 fully vaccinated)
— 1.1% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 227 (45 total deaths)
— 19.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,989 (4,549 total cases)
— 0.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Oldham County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.0% (37,390 fully vaccinated)
— 1.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 177 (118 total deaths)
— 37.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,090 (14,756 total cases)
— 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Fulton County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.7% (3,382 fully vaccinated)
— 2.5% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (23 total deaths)
— 36.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,736 (999 total cases)
— 27.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Hancock County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (4,992 fully vaccinated)
— 3.4% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 218 (19 total deaths)
— 23.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,621 (1,973 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Lyon County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.3% (4,708 fully vaccinated)
— 3.6% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 378 (31 total deaths)
— 33.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,259 (2,238 total cases)
— 18.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Kenton County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.4% (97,517 fully vaccinated)
— 5.6% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (325 total deaths)
— 31.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,209 (35,419 total cases)
— 7.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Franklin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.5% (30,328 fully vaccinated)
— 7.6% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 235 (120 total deaths)
— 17.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,317 (10,360 total cases)
— 11.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Perry County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.9% (15,438 fully vaccinated)
— 8.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 536 (138 total deaths)
— 89.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,416 (7,577 total cases)
— 28.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Hardin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.1% (66,664 fully vaccinated)
— 8.7% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 330 (366 total deaths)
— 16.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,024 (25,547 total cases)
— 0.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Boone County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.1% (80,221 fully vaccinated)
— 8.7% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 177 (236 total deaths)
— 37.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,122 (30,886 total cases)
— 0.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Campbell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.1% (57,168 fully vaccinated)
— 10.5% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 136 (127 total deaths)
— 51.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,450 (19,138 total cases)
— 11.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#3. Jefferson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.8% (473,798 fully vaccinated)
— 11.8% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (1,904 total deaths)
— 12.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,372 (179,207 total cases)
— 1.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Fayette County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.2% (207,523 fully vaccinated)
— 16.1% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 152 (492 total deaths)
— 46.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,513 (75,983 total cases)
— 2.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Woodford County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.3% (17,202 fully vaccinated)
— 16.3% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 146 (39 total deaths)
— 48.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,634 (5,249 total cases)
— 14.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky