Counties most concerned about climate change in Kentucky

Published 11:35 am Thursday, September 2, 2021

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

Counties most concerned about climate change in Kentucky

Nationally, 72% of Americans believe global warming is happening. But when public opinion researchers zoom in on Americans, they find that attitudes and opinions about climate change can vary drastically from county to county—even when those counties are next door. Public opinion factors into how policy-makers respond to climate change, including taking steps to reduce CO2 levels and mitigate harmful impacts already being experienced. Stacker compiled a list of counties most concerned about climate change in Kentucky using data from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

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#50. Bell County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.0%
— 2.4% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 48.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.0%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.2%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.6%
– Total population: 21,353

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Allen County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.1%
— 2.1% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 48.0%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.3%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.2%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 48.7%
– Total population: 15,783

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Henry County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.1%
— 2.1% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.7%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.7%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.4%
– Total population: 12,077

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Metcalfe County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.2%
— 2.0% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.8%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.8%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 49.7%
– Total population: 7,677

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

#46. Lincoln County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.2%
— 1.9% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 48.5%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.0%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.3%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.5%
– Total population: 18,652

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Hunter Hawley // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Breckinridge County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.5%
— 1.4% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.6%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.1%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.9%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.7%
– Total population: 15,453

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Bath County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.5%
— 1.4% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.9%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.3%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.3%
– Total population: 9,156

CoryClaxon // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Carter County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.5%
— 1.3% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.9%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.0%
– Total population: 21,140

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Daviess County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.7%
— 0.9% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.2%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.0%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.0%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.1%
– Total population: 75,531

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Mason County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 51.8%
— 0.8% lower than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 39.7%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.4%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 15.9%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.5%
– Total population: 13,263

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#40. Lyon County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.2%
— 0.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 32.8%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.0%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.4%
– Total population: 6,982

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Scott County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.3%
— 0.1% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.7%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.4%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.5%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.9%
– Total population: 39,850

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Hart County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.3%
— 0.1% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.9%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.1%
– Total population: 14,012

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Caldwell County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.3%
— 0.2% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.9%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.4%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.8%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.5%
– Total population: 9,871

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Boone County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.3%
— 0.2% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.8%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.2%
– Total population: 94,885

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#35. Mercer County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.5%
— 0.7% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 47.7%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.2%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.8%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.4%
– Total population: 16,738

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

#34. Fleming County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.6%
— 0.7% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.8%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.4%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.7%
– Total population: 10,923

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Breathitt County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.7%
— 1.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 49.5%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.3%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.6%
– Total population: 10,415

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Clay County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.7%
— 1.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 48.6%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.5%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.3%
– Total population: 16,226

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Henderson County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.7%
— 1.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 46.4%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.7%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 18.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.4%
– Total population: 35,515

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Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Clark County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 52.7%
— 1.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.5%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.5%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.8%
– Total population: 27,787

w:User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Boyd County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.0%
— 1.5% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.5%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.3%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.5%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.2%
– Total population: 37,855

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Nelson County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.1%
— 1.6% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.4%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.1%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.0%
– Total population: 34,410

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Trimble County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.3%
— 2.1% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 41.8%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.2%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 17.5%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.6%
– Total population: 6,689

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Washington County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.5%
— 2.4% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.4%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.4%
– Total population: 9,193

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#25. Powell County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.5%
— 2.5% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 50.6%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.5%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.5%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.7%
– Total population: 9,391

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#24. McCracken County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.5%
— 2.5% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 48.8%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.5%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.4%
– Total population: 50,830

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Oldham County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.6%
— 2.7% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.6%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 34.8%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.0%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.5%
– Total population: 48,607

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Bourbon County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.8%
— 3.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.6%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.5%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.4%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.5%
– Total population: 15,563

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Fulton County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.8%
— 3.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 40.8%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 13.7%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.6%
– Total population: 4,853

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Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Boyle County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.9%
— 3.3% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.0%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.0%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.0%
– Total population: 23,882

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Wolfe County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.0%
— 3.4% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.6%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.0%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.6%
– Total population: 5,543

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Jessamine County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.2%
— 3.8% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.0%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.7%
– Total population: 39,534

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Hardin County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.6%
— 4.5% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.3%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.3%
– Total population: 81,349

Smceuen // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Carroll County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.8%
— 4.9% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 40.2%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.7%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 15.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.5%
– Total population: 7,942

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Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Christian County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.9%
— 5.2% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.8%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 39.3%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.8%
– Total population: 52,571

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Barren County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.0%
— 5.4% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 51.9%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.4%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.2%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.6%
– Total population: 33,259

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

#13. Madison County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.2%
— 5.8% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.2%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.8%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.4%
– Total population: 70,864

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Shelby County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.2%
— 5.8% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.7%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.9%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.1%
– Total population: 35,663

Wdzinc // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Marion County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.3%
— 6.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.7%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.9%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.9%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.7%
– Total population: 14,534

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W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Rowan County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.9%
— 7.1% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.2%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.9%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.7%
– Total population: 19,791

Murray State // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Calloway County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.9%
— 7.2% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.9%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.5%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.5%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.4%
– Total population: 31,725

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Woodford County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 56.5%
— 8.3% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.9%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.2%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.6%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.4%
– Total population: 20,219

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Nicholas County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 57.0%
— 9.2% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.7%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.0%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.2%
– Total population: 5,446

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Kenton County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 57.3%
— 9.7% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 56.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.0%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.8%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.6%
– Total population: 125,048

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Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Campbell County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 57.7%
— 10.5% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.6%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.2%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.9%
– Total population: 72,647

OPMaster // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Warren County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 58.5%
— 12.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 57.5%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 38.1%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.6%
– Total population: 97,677

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Franklin County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 59.1%
— 13.3% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 58.5%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.7%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.1%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.9%
– Total population: 39,744

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#2. Jefferson County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 62.1%
— 19.0% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 62.2%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 40.2%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.5%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.9%
– Total population: 594,941

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Fayette County

– Percentage who are worried about climate change: 63.3%
— 21.2% higher than Kentucky average
– Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 63.1%
– Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 43.7%
– Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 27.0%
– Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 64.4%
– Total population: 251,732

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