Brian Stansberry // 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. 29 reached over 1 million COVID-19-related deaths and 87.3 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.9% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 47.3% 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. 28, 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. Henry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 167 (27 new cases, +8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,364 (5,219 total cases)
— 3.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (53 total deaths)
— 9.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (8,736 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Bath County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 168 (21 new cases, -22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,744 (3,343 total cases)
— 14.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 392 (49 total deaths)
— 8.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.4% (6,795 fully vaccinated)

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Mason County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 170 (29 new cases, +107% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,767 (5,252 total cases)
— 1.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 633 (108 total deaths)
— 74.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (8,771 fully vaccinated)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Franklin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 171 (87 new cases, -12% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,717 (14,643 total cases)
— 8.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (159 total deaths)
— 13.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.0% (31,606 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Grant County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 172 (43 new cases, +30% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,396 (7,620 total cases)
— 3.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (66 total deaths)
— 27.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.5% (12,404 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Livingston County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 174 (16 new cases, -53% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,301 (2,602 total cases)
— 9.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (61 total deaths)
— 83.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (4,575 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Bourbon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 177 (35 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,565 (6,246 total cases)
— 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 308 (61 total deaths)
— 14.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.4% (11,566 fully vaccinated)

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Warren County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 178 (237 new cases, +10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,675 (44,753 total cases)
— 7.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 287 (382 total deaths)
— 20.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.0% (51,895 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Marshall County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 180 (56 new cases, +65% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,823 (8,653 total cases)
— 11.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 370 (115 total deaths)
— 2.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (16,814 fully vaccinated)

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Nelson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 180 (83 new cases, +2% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,639 (15,090 total cases)
— 4.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 340 (157 total deaths)
— 6.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (24,370 fully vaccinated)

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#40. Jefferson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 181 (1,389 new cases, -23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,375 (240,569 total cases)
— 0.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 314 (2,409 total deaths)
— 13.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.6% (495,708 fully vaccinated)

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Marion County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 182 (35 new cases, +150% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,167 (6,585 total cases)
— 9.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (86 total deaths)
— 23.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.8% (9,800 fully vaccinated)

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Carter County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 183 (49 new cases, -40% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,914 (9,088 total cases)
— 8.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 407 (109 total deaths)
— 12.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.6% (13,293 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Menifee County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 185 (12 new cases, -20% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,493 (1,784 total cases)
— 12.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 493 (32 total deaths)
— 36.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.8% (2,907 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Pike County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 187 (108 new cases, +89% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,441 (19,933 total cases)
— 9.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 548 (317 total deaths)
— 51.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (30,766 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Hardin County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 188 (209 new cases, -11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,955 (34,347 total cases)
— 1.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 401 (445 total deaths)
— 10.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.5% (70,467 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Clark County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 188 (68 new cases, -24% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,244 (11,330 total cases)
— 0.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 199 (72 total deaths)
— 45.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (19,995 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Carlisle County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 189 (9 new cases, +50% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,824 (1,134 total cases)
— 24.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 420 (20 total deaths)
— 16.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 41.4% (1,969 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Lawrence County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 189 (29 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,528 (4,676 total cases)
— 2.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 470 (72 total deaths)
— 29.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.9% (7,490 fully vaccinated)

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Grayson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 189 (50 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,233 (8,254 total cases)
— 0.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 511 (135 total deaths)
— 41.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.8% (13,700 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Scott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 195 (111 new cases, -15% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,070 (18,851 total cases)
— 5.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 198 (113 total deaths)
— 45.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.2% (32,030 fully vaccinated)

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

#29. Madison County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 197 (183 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,106 (28,925 total cases)
— 0.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 305 (284 total deaths)
— 15.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.4% (45,017 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Rowan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 200 (49 new cases, -33% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,868 (7,061 total cases)
— 7.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 286 (70 total deaths)
— 21.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.6% (12,878 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Leslie County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 202 (20 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,000 (3,852 total cases)
— 24.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 496 (49 total deaths)
— 37.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (5,209 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Lewis County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 203 (27 new cases, -16% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,345 (4,692 total cases)
— 12.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 663 (88 total deaths)
— 83.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.7% (5,268 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Woodford County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 206 (55 new cases, -8% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,878 (7,453 total cases)
— 11.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 198 (53 total deaths)
— 45.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.7% (17,829 fully vaccinated)

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Muhlenberg County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 206 (63 new cases, -5% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,527 (10,573 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 402 (123 total deaths)
— 11.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.5% (15,771 fully vaccinated)

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Fayette County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 207 (670 new cases, -17% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,470 (101,697 total cases)
— 0.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (625 total deaths)
— 46.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.3% (217,495 fully vaccinated)

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Calloway County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 208 (81 new cases, +84% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,692 (9,240 total cases)
— 24.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 246 (96 total deaths)
— 32.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.2% (18,004 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Anderson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 211 (48 new cases, +26% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,334 (6,900 total cases)
— 3.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (71 total deaths)
— 13.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.8% (12,693 fully vaccinated)

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#20. McCracken County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 212 (139 new cases, -21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,465 (20,584 total cases)
— 0.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 420 (275 total deaths)
— 16.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.3% (36,829 fully vaccinated)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Caldwell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 212 (27 new cases, +35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,663 (4,291 total cases)
— 7.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 486 (62 total deaths)
— 34.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (6,714 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Washington County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 215 (26 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,857 (4,095 total cases)
— 8.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 513 (62 total deaths)
— 41.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (6,235 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Knott County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 216 (32 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,718 (4,400 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (66 total deaths)
— 23.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.2% (7,140 fully vaccinated)

Paul Sableman // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Graves County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 223 (83 new cases, +73% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,493 (11,736 total cases)
— 0.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 494 (184 total deaths)
— 36.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.1% (17,164 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Harlan County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 223 (58 new cases, +93% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,217 (9,420 total cases)
— 15.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 827 (215 total deaths)
— 128.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 46.7% (12,151 fully vaccinated)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Johnson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 230 (51 new cases, +55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,142 (6,688 total cases)
— 3.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 554 (123 total deaths)
— 53.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (11,230 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Letcher County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 232 (50 new cases, +79% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 34,097 (7,349 total cases)
— 8.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 552 (119 total deaths)
— 52.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (11,531 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Allen County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 235 (50 new cases, +108% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,921 (6,804 total cases)
— 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 507 (108 total deaths)
— 40.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.0% (8,517 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Robertson County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 237 (5 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 33,966 (716 total cases)
— 8.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 996 (21 total deaths)
— 175.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.8% (818 fully vaccinated)

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Boyd County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 238 (111 new cases, -34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,885 (17,232 total cases)
— 17.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 387 (181 total deaths)
— 6.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.8% (23,247 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Breathitt County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 245 (31 new cases, -9% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,694 (4,003 total cases)
— 1.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 428 (54 total deaths)
— 18.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (6,688 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Taylor County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 291 (75 new cases, +103% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 38,077 (9,812 total cases)
— 21.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 489 (126 total deaths)
— 35.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 48.5% (12,487 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Perry County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 303 (78 new cases, +37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 44,604 (11,489 total cases)
— 42.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 714 (184 total deaths)
— 97.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.7% (16,139 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Powell County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 307 (38 new cases, +533% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 39,631 (4,898 total cases)
— 26.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 364 (45 total deaths)
— 0.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.2% (6,577 fully vaccinated)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Montgomery County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 313 (88 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,528 (9,159 total cases)
— 3.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 387 (109 total deaths)
— 6.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 47.3% (13,313 fully vaccinated)

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Greenup County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 313 (110 new cases, +62% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,182 (12,699 total cases)
— 15.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (149 total deaths)
— 17.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.0% (18,588 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Wolfe County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 349 (25 new cases, +25% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 37,069 (2,653 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 405 (29 total deaths)
— 11.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (3,881 fully vaccinated)

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Lyon County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 402 (33 new cases, +83% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 36,492 (2,996 total cases)
— 16.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 438 (36 total deaths)
— 21.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.6% (4,814 fully vaccinated)

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Hickman County, KY

– New cases per 100k in the past week: 411 (18 new cases, +100% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,936 (917 total cases)
— 33.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 639 (28 total deaths)
— 76.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.7% (1,651 fully vaccinated)