CoryClaxon // 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 Jun. 17 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 86 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.7% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 46.9% 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 Jun. 15, 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.

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 167 (38 new cases, +15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,920 (6,806 total cases)
— 2.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (71 total deaths)
— 12.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.8% (12,690 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Boyle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 170 (51 new cases, +96% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,431 (8,847 total cases)
— 3.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 452 (136 total deaths)
— 26.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.4% (17,261 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 170 (22 new cases, +83% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,722 (3,976 total cases)
— 0.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 379 (49 total deaths)
— 5.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.4% (6,004 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 170 (11 new cases, +22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,046 (1,755 total cases)
— 11.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (32 total deaths)
— 37.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.8% (2,905 fully vaccinated)

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Campbell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 171 (160 new cases, +19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,901 (24,239 total cases)
— 15.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 199 (186 total deaths)
— 44.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.4% (60,269 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 173 (38 new cases, +9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,532 (7,574 total cases)
— 13.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 483 (106 total deaths)
— 34.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.0% (12,059 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 173 (23 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 40,627 (5,407 total cases)
— 32.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (33 total deaths)
— 30.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (6,462 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 176 (54 new cases, +35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,910 (10,384 total cases)
— 10.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (123 total deaths)
— 12.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (15,758 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Shelby County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 180 (88 new cases, +40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,233 (13,841 total cases)
— 7.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 341 (167 total deaths)
— 4.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.3% (23,177 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 180 (30 new cases, -19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,824 (5,146 total cases)
— 0.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 377 (63 total deaths)
— 5.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.7% (6,803 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Jackson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 180 (24 new cases, +71% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,613 (4,347 total cases)
— 6.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 615 (82 total deaths)
— 71.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.1% (4,939 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 188 (102 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,023 (15,706 total cases)
— 5.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (144 total deaths)
— 25.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (29,371 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 192 (31 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,564 (5,090 total cases)
— 3.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (52 total deaths)
— 10.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (8,733 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 192 (24 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,288 (3,286 total cases)
— 14.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 9.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (6,794 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 200 (163 new cases, +79% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,685 (22,612 total cases)
— 9.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (228 total deaths)
— 22.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (37,414 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 200 (114 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,391 (18,464 total cases)
— 6.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 196 (112 total deaths)
— 45.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.1% (32,004 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Martin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 205 (23 new cases, +130% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,085 (3,368 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (49 total deaths)
— 22.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.5% (6,104 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (41 new cases, +193% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,064 (6,147 total cases)
— 1.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (61 total deaths)
— 14.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.4% (11,560 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Monroe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (22 new cases, +144% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,610 (3,686 total cases)
— 13.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 742 (79 total deaths)
— 107.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (4,952 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 208 (96 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,191 (14,883 total cases)
— 5.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (156 total deaths)
— 5.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (24,341 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 209 (31 new cases, +19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,191 (4,322 total cases)
— 4.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 439 (65 total deaths)
— 22.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (7,135 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Magoffin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 214 (26 new cases, +271% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,982 (4,011 total cases)
— 7.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (52 total deaths)
— 19.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (6,260 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 219 (18 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,700 (2,931 total cases)
— 16.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 426 (35 total deaths)
— 19.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.6% (4,809 fully vaccinated)

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

#27. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 223 (207 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,697 (28,544 total cases)
— 0.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (283 total deaths)
— 15.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (44,989 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 229 (254 new cases, +57% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,516 (33,860 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 397 (441 total deaths)
— 10.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.5% (70,409 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 234 (66 new cases, +65% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,520 (8,875 total cases)
— 3.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 384 (108 total deaths)
— 7.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.2% (13,304 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 235 (120 new cases, +82% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,107 (14,332 total cases)
— 8.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (157 total deaths)
— 14.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.9% (31,585 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 238 (17 new cases, +89% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,063 (2,581 total cases)
— 18.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 13.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (3,874 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 239 (60 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,890 (7,493 total cases)
— 2.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 255 (64 total deaths)
— 28.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (12,390 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 248 (64 new cases, +327% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,495 (9,662 total cases)
— 22.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 489 (126 total deaths)
— 36.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (12,483 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 248 (64 new cases, +56% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 43,625 (11,237 total cases)
— 42.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 714 (184 total deaths)
— 99.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.6% (16,126 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 253 (32 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,934 (3,907 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (54 total deaths)
— 19.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (6,685 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 254 (68 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,385 (7,321 total cases)
— 10.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (52 total deaths)
— 45.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.6% (17,810 fully vaccinated)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#17. McCracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 257 (168 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,729 (19,448 total cases)
— 2.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 420 (275 total deaths)
— 17.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.3% (36,801 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 261 (24 new cases, +85% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,725 (2,549 total cases)
— 9.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 85.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (4,570 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#15. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 273 (2,093 new cases, +22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,923 (237,107 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 313 (2,398 total deaths)
— 12.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.6% (495,319 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 274 (67 new cases, +179% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,230 (6,905 total cases)
— 7.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (70 total deaths)
— 20.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (12,864 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 283 (913 new cases, +26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,873 (99,767 total cases)
— 1.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 191 (618 total deaths)
— 46.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.3% (217,333 fully vaccinated)

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Calloway County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 292 (114 new cases, +217% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,792 (8,889 total cases)
— 25.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 246 (96 total deaths)
— 31.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.1% (17,989 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 313 (48 new cases, +129% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,065 (4,605 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 464 (71 total deaths)
— 29.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (7,485 fully vaccinated)

Jonathunder // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Ballard County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 317 (25 new cases, +400% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,446 (1,455 total cases)
— 39.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 380 (30 total deaths)
— 6.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.9% (3,068 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 324 (32 new cases, +146% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,372 (3,790 total cases)
— 25.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (49 total deaths)
— 38.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (5,206 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 333 (117 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,597 (12,494 total cases)
— 16.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 422 (148 total deaths)
— 17.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (18,571 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 345 (44 new cases, +340% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,239 (4,237 total cases)
— 8.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 486 (62 total deaths)
— 35.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (6,708 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 347 (46 new cases, +44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,870 (4,629 total cases)
— 14.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (88 total deaths)
— 85.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (5,265 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Crittenden County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 363 (32 new cases, +68% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,879 (2,367 total cases)
— 12.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 568 (50 total deaths)
— 58.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.3% (3,640 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 378 (137 new cases, +43% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,726 (11,142 total cases)
— 0.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 199 (72 total deaths)
— 44.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (19,980 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 383 (179 new cases, +53% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,247 (16,934 total cases)
— 18.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (180 total deaths)
— 7.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (23,216 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 412 (31 new cases, +94% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,158 (2,718 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (20 total deaths)
— 25.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.9% (2,700 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 429 (115 new cases, +95% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,384 (8,946 total cases)
— 9.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 403 (108 total deaths)
— 12.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (13,277 fully vaccinated)