Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates 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.

The United States as of May 25 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 83.6 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.6% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 46.6% of vaccinated people have received booster doses.

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 infection rates in Kentucky using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and vaccination data from Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100,000 residents within the week leading up to May 24, 2022. Cumulative cases per 100,000 served as a tiebreaker.

Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 infection rates in your state.

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 82 (22 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,504 (8,710 total cases)
— 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (107 total deaths)
— 12.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (13,252 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Boone County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 84 (112 new cases, +24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,347 (37,866 total cases)
— 6.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 225 (300 total deaths)
— 36.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.5% (83,527 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 84 (21 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,840 (7,230 total cases)
— 4.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 251 (63 total deaths)
— 29.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.2% (12,342 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Garrard County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 85 (15 new cases, +88% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,397 (4,840 total cases)
— 9.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (79 total deaths)
— 25.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (8,556 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 85 (24 new cases, +26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,017 (8,452 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (108 total deaths)
— 7.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.1% (13,273 fully vaccinated)

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

#45. Lincoln County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 86 (21 new cases, +91% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,592 (6,528 total cases)
— 11.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 558 (137 total deaths)
— 56.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.2% (10,106 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 86 (19 new cases, +375% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,047 (6,223 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 545 (121 total deaths)
— 53.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (11,204 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Boyle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 93 (28 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,360 (8,525 total cases)
— 6.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (134 total deaths)
— 25.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (17,196 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 94 (23 new cases, +35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,702 (6,776 total cases)
— 8.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (70 total deaths)
— 19.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (12,824 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 96 (16 new cases, +78% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,398 (5,075 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 371 (62 total deaths)
— 4.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.7% (6,790 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Meade County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 98 (28 new cases, +155% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,510 (5,860 total cases)
— 32.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 231 (66 total deaths)
— 35.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.5% (11,275 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 98 (11 new cases, +120% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,674 (3,322 total cases)
— 1.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (49 total deaths)
— 23.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (6,084 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 98 (30 new cases, +275% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,398 (10,227 total cases)
— 10.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (123 total deaths)
— 12.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.3% (15,709 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 98 (44 new cases, +144% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,630 (15,028 total cases)
— 11.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 571 (255 total deaths)
— 60.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.0% (23,251 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 99 (12 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,571 (3,961 total cases)
— 7.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (52 total deaths)
— 20.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (6,255 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Kenton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 101 (169 new cases, +42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,696 (42,911 total cases)
— 14.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 254 (424 total deaths)
— 28.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.8% (101,540 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 101 (23 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,270 (6,658 total cases)
— 3.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (71 total deaths)
— 12.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (12,656 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 106 (21 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,524 (6,040 total cases)
— 1.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 303 (60 total deaths)
— 14.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.3% (11,531 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 113 (14 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,854 (4,802 total cases)
— 28.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 356 (44 total deaths)
— 0.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (6,559 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 114 (10 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,153 (2,303 total cases)
— 13.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 568 (50 total deaths)
— 59.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.2% (3,628 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 126 (73 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,181 (19,204 total cases)
— 9.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 534 (309 total deaths)
— 50.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (30,683 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 128 (33 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,004 (11,077 total cases)
— 42.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 699 (180 total deaths)
— 96.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.5% (16,100 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Floyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 129 (46 new cases, +70% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,477 (12,626 total cases)
— 17.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 604 (215 total deaths)
— 69.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.3% (20,403 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Spencer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 134 (26 new cases, +117% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,097 (5,437 total cases)
— 6.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 305 (59 total deaths)
— 14.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.3% (5,858 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 137 (21 new cases, +75% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,575 (4,530 total cases)
— 2.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 457 (70 total deaths)
— 28.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.7% (7,460 fully vaccinated)

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

#25. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 141 (131 new cases, +56% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,124 (28,011 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 302 (281 total deaths)
— 15.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (44,860 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 143 (134 new cases, +41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,175 (23,560 total cases)
— 16.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 199 (186 total deaths)
— 44.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.1% (60,000 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 148 (52 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,771 (12,204 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 419 (147 total deaths)
— 17.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (18,501 fully vaccinated)

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Hancock County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 149 (13 new cases, +333% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,812 (2,513 total cases)
— 4.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 287 (25 total deaths)
— 19.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.5% (5,189 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 157 (85 new cases, +67% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,458 (15,400 total cases)
— 5.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 264 (143 total deaths)
— 25.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (29,296 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 158 (13 new cases, +225% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,298 (2,898 total cases)
— 17.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (35 total deaths)
— 19.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.5% (4,805 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 160 (74 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,590 (14,605 total cases)
— 4.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 335 (155 total deaths)
— 5.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (24,282 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 163 (15 new cases, +200% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,192 (2,500 total cases)
— 9.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 86.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (4,557 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 163 (83 new cases, +98% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,501 (14,023 total cases)
— 8.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (155 total deaths)
— 14.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.7% (31,478 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. McLean County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 163 (15 new cases, +114% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,685 (2,641 total cases)
— 5.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 587 (54 total deaths)
— 64.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.2% (4,717 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 164 (36 new cases, +112% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,958 (7,448 total cases)
— 12.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 483 (106 total deaths)
— 35.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (12,021 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 165 (94 new cases, +32% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,387 (17,892 total cases)
— 4.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (111 total deaths)
— 45.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.0% (31,914 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 185 (67 new cases, +72% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,879 (10,835 total cases)
— 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (70 total deaths)
— 45.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.9% (19,907 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 192 (157 new cases, +109% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,047 (22,091 total cases)
— 10.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (225 total deaths)
— 22.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.7% (37,291 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 199 (93 new cases, +63% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,314 (16,498 total cases)
— 17.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 383 (179 total deaths)
— 7.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (23,118 fully vaccinated)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#10. McCracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 206 (135 new cases, +193% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,614 (18,719 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 408 (267 total deaths)
— 14.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.1% (36,687 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Oldham County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 211 (141 new cases, +91% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,039 (18,730 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 217 (145 total deaths)
— 39.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.6% (38,488 fully vaccinated)

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Simpson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 221 (41 new cases, +273% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,589 (5,681 total cases)
— 1.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 512 (95 total deaths)
— 43.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (9,450 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 225 (726 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,027 (97,032 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 190 (615 total deaths)
— 46.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.0% (216,538 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Shelby County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 241 (118 new cases, +84% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,697 (13,578 total cases)
— 8.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 332 (163 total deaths)
— 6.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.1% (23,112 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 254 (68 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,461 (7,074 total cases)
— 12.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 187 (50 total deaths)
— 47.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.5% (17,766 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 266 (295 new cases, +112% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,891 (33,167 total cases)
— 1.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (438 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.3% (70,183 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 293 (19 new cases, +850% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,630 (1,728 total cases)
— 11.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (32 total deaths)
— 38.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.7% (2,898 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#2. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 402 (3,079 new cases, +83% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,171 (231,337 total cases)
— 0.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 309 (2,371 total deaths)
— 13.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.4% (493,429 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 682 (110 new cases, +267% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,807 (4,968 total cases)
— 2.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (53 total deaths)
— 7.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (8,716 fully vaccinated)