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 Jun. 22 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 86.5 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.8% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 47.2% 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. 21, 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. Nicholas County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 138 (10 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,389 (2,209 total cases)
— 2.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 440 (32 total deaths)
— 21.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (3,876 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 140 (36 new cases, -44% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,735 (9,724 total cases)
— 21.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 489 (126 total deaths)
— 35.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (12,484 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Elliott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 146 (11 new cases, -65% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,424 (2,738 total cases)
— 17.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 266 (20 total deaths)
— 26.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.9% (2,700 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Owen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 147 (16 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,227 (2,423 total cases)
— 28.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (34 total deaths)
— 13.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.0% (4,138 fully vaccinated)

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Hopkins County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 150 (67 new cases, +2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,170 (15,269 total cases)
— 9.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 575 (257 total deaths)
— 59.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (23,326 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Garrard County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 153 (27 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,924 (4,933 total cases)
— 10.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (79 total deaths)
— 23.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (8,582 fully vaccinated)

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Webster County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 155 (20 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,899 (3,999 total cases)
— 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 386 (50 total deaths)
— 6.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.4% (6,005 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Harrison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 159 (30 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,175 (6,832 total cases)
— 16.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 418 (79 total deaths)
— 15.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (9,542 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Bullitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 160 (131 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,927 (22,810 total cases)
— 10.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 280 (229 total deaths)
— 22.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 45.8% (37,415 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 161 (26 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,880 (5,141 total cases)
— 2.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (52 total deaths)
— 10.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (8,733 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 165 (219 new cases, +16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,409 (44,399 total cases)
— 7.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 287 (382 total deaths)
— 20.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.0% (51,856 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Clinton County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 166 (17 new cases, +13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,189 (3,800 total cases)
— 19.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 509 (52 total deaths)
— 41.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.4% (4,228 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 170 (26 new cases, -47% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,306 (4,642 total cases)
— 2.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 464 (71 total deaths)
— 28.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (7,488 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 172 (34 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,312 (6,196 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (61 total deaths)
— 14.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.4% (11,561 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Mercer County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 173 (38 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,715 (7,614 total cases)
— 11.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 483 (106 total deaths)
— 33.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.0% (12,059 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Larue County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 174 (25 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,608 (3,831 total cases)
— 14.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 514 (74 total deaths)
— 42.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.0% (6,332 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 174 (61 new cases, -49% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,831 (12,576 total cases)
— 15.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (149 total deaths)
— 17.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (18,573 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 175 (81 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,403 (14,981 total cases)
— 4.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (156 total deaths)
— 6.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (24,358 fully vaccinated)

verygreen // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Rockcastle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 180 (30 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,967 (5,170 total cases)
— 0.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 377 (63 total deaths)
— 4.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.8% (6,804 fully vaccinated)

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Henderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 181 (82 new cases, +58% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,579 (14,277 total cases)
— 1.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 378 (171 total deaths)
— 4.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.9% (23,457 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 182 (22 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,617 (4,066 total cases)
— 8.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 513 (62 total deaths)
— 42.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (6,230 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Hickman County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 183 (8 new cases, +700% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,525 (899 total cases)
— 34.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 639 (28 total deaths)
— 77.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.7% (1,651 fully vaccinated)

Dcoetzee // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Trigg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 184 (27 new cases, +125% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,135 (4,122 total cases)
— 9.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 307 (45 total deaths)
— 15.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.4% (6,944 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Jessamine County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 185 (100 new cases, -1% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,221 (15,813 total cases)
— 6.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 268 (145 total deaths)
— 25.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.3% (29,373 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 186 (106 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,771 (18,681 total cases)
— 5.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 196 (112 total deaths)
— 45.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.2% (32,015 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 188 (96 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,417 (14,490 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 310 (158 total deaths)
— 14.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.0% (31,590 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 188 (53 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,999 (9,010 total cases)
— 2.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 387 (109 total deaths)
— 7.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.3% (13,306 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 189 (28 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,488 (4,366 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (66 total deaths)
— 23.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (7,135 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 202 (20 new cases, -38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,747 (3,827 total cases)
— 24.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (49 total deaths)
— 37.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (5,207 fully vaccinated)

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

#21. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 203 (189 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,906 (28,739 total cases)
— 0.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (283 total deaths)
— 15.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (44,993 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 206 (55 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,695 (7,404 total cases)
— 10.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (52 total deaths)
— 46.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.6% (17,813 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (17 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,981 (2,954 total cases)
— 15.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (36 total deaths)
— 21.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.6% (4,809 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 210 (233 new cases, -8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,746 (34,115 total cases)
— 1.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 400 (444 total deaths)
— 10.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.5% (70,416 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 212 (65 new cases, +20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,253 (10,489 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (123 total deaths)
— 11.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (15,763 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 216 (27 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,536 (3,317 total cases)
— 14.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 8.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (6,794 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 217 (56 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,278 (11,405 total cases)
— 42.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 714 (184 total deaths)
— 97.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.6% (16,129 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 231 (15 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,292 (1,771 total cases)
— 12.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (32 total deaths)
— 36.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.8% (2,905 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#13. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 231 (1,775 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,130 (238,688 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 314 (2,406 total deaths)
— 13.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.6% (495,377 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 234 (31 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,126 (4,663 total cases)
— 13.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (88 total deaths)
— 83.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (5,265 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Morgan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 240 (32 new cases, +39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 41,077 (5,467 total cases)
— 32.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 248 (33 total deaths)
— 31.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.6% (6,462 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 242 (782 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,187 (100,781 total cases)
— 0.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (624 total deaths)
— 46.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.3% (217,356 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 243 (88 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,029 (11,252 total cases)
— 0.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 199 (72 total deaths)
— 44.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (19,984 fully vaccinated)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#8. McCracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 243 (159 new cases, -6% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,189 (20,403 total cases)
— 0.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 420 (275 total deaths)
— 16.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.3% (36,805 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Monroe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 254 (27 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,883 (3,715 total cases)
— 12.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 751 (80 total deaths)
— 108.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.5% (4,952 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 265 (19 new cases, +12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,649 (2,623 total cases)
— 17.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 12.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (3,876 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 277 (35 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,449 (3,972 total cases)
— 1.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (54 total deaths)
— 18.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (6,685 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 282 (69 new cases, +3% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,585 (6,992 total cases)
— 8.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (70 total deaths)
— 20.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (12,869 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 291 (78 new cases, -36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,705 (9,032 total cases)
— 8.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 403 (108 total deaths)
— 11.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (13,287 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 340 (159 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,613 (17,105 total cases)
— 17.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 387 (181 total deaths)
— 7.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (23,222 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 359 (33 new cases, +27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,116 (2,585 total cases)
— 9.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 83.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (4,570 fully vaccinated)