Shelby County Demographics

A map of Shelby County's Population by Race

Shelby County, Kentucky had a population of 48,065 in 2020. It was 77.7% White, 5.6% Black, 0.8% Asian, 11.0% Hispanic, 0.6% Native American/Other, and 4.2% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Shelby County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Shelby County is the 21st most populous county of the 120 counties in Kentucky.

Shelby County's White Population

37,363 residents of Shelby County identify as White, or 77.7%. This makes the White share of the population of Shelby County roughly similar to the White share of the population of Kentucky (81.3% White). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Shelby County is ranked #114 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Shelby County is less White than neighboring Spencer County (91.1% White), Henry County (89.7% White), Anderson County (90.8% White), Oldham County (85.5% White), and Franklin County (80.1% White).

Shelby County's Black Population

2,700 residents of Shelby County identify as Black, or 5.6%. This makes the Black share of the population of Shelby County roughly similar to the Black share of the population of Kentucky (7.9% Black). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Shelby County is ranked #22 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Shelby County is more Black than neighboring Spencer County (1.5% Black), Henry County (2.2% Black), Anderson County (2% Black), and Oldham County (3.3% Black). Shelby County is less Black than neighboring Franklin County (8.6% Black).

Shelby County's Asian Population

361 residents of Shelby County identify as Asian, or 0.8%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Shelby County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Kentucky (1.6% Asian). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Shelby County is ranked #20 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Shelby County is more Asian than neighboring Spencer County (0.5% Asian), Henry County (0.2% Asian), and Anderson County (0.4% Asian). Shelby County is less Asian than neighboring Oldham County (1.7% Asian), and Franklin County (2% Asian).

Shelby County's Hispanic Population

5,295 residents of Shelby County identify as Hispanic, or 11.0%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Shelby County slightly larger than the Hispanic share of the population of Kentucky (4.6% Hispanic). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Shelby County is ranked #1 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Shelby County is more Hispanic than neighboring Spencer County (2.3% Hispanic), Henry County (3.5% Hispanic), Anderson County (2.2% Hispanic), Oldham County (4.8% Hispanic), and Franklin County (4% Hispanic).

Shelby County's Native American/Other Population

310 residents of Shelby County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.6%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Shelby County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Kentucky (0.6% Native American/Other). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Shelby County is ranked #12 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Shelby County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Spencer County (0.4% Native American/Other), Anderson County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Oldham County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Shelby County's Multiracial Population

2,036 residents of Shelby County identify as Multiracial, or 4.2%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Shelby County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Kentucky (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Shelby County is ranked #20 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Shelby County is more Multiracial than neighboring Henry County (3.8% Multiracial), and Anderson County (4.1% Multiracial). Shelby County is less Multiracial than neighboring Franklin County (4.7% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.