Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate 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. Early research suggests this strain may cause less severe illness than Delta and the original virus, however, health officials have warned an Omicron-driven surge could still increase hospitalization and death rates—especially in areas with less vaccinated populations.

The United States as of Feb. 11 reached 917,622 COVID-19-related deaths and 77.5 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 64.3% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 42.6% have received booster doses.

Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Kentucky using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the highest vaccination rate as of Feb. 10, 2022. Due to inconsistencies in reporting, some counties do not have vaccination data available. Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in your state.

Bfreas // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Simpson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.4% (9,173 fully vaccinated)
— 11.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 425 (79 total deaths)
— 43.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,006 (5,387 total cases)
— 6.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Washington County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.7% (6,017 fully vaccinated)
— 11.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 446 (54 total deaths)
— 50.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,120 (3,643 total cases)
— 10.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Mason County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (8,518 fully vaccinated)
— 10.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 545 (93 total deaths)
— 84.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,501 (4,353 total cases)
— 6.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Bedford // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Logan County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (13,527 fully vaccinated)
— 10.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 398 (108 total deaths)
— 34.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,064 (7,877 total cases)
— 6.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

w.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Henderson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 49.9% (22,565 fully vaccinated)
— 10.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 319 (144 total deaths)
— 7.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,653 (12,954 total cases)
— 4.9% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Megangen1990 // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Muhlenberg County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.0% (15,313 fully vaccinated)
— 10.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 359 (110 total deaths)
— 21.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,742 (9,720 total cases)
— 16.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#44. McLean County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.1% (4,613 fully vaccinated)
— 10.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 489 (45 total deaths)
— 65.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,370 (2,520 total cases)
— 0.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Magoffin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (6,120 fully vaccinated)
— 10.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (37 total deaths)
— 2.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,739 (3,495 total cases)
— 5.2% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Huw Williams (Huwmanbeing) // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Grayson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.3% (13,283 fully vaccinated)
— 10.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 431 (114 total deaths)
— 45.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,176 (7,446 total cases)
— 3.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

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

#41. Fleming County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.4% (7,354 fully vaccinated)
— 10.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 302 (44 total deaths)
— 2.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,359 (3,406 total cases)
— 14.5% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Estill County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (7,125 fully vaccinated)
— 9.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 284 (40 total deaths)
— 4.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,911 (3,655 total cases)
— 5.2% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Rowan County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.5% (12,353 fully vaccinated)
— 9.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 204 (50 total deaths)
— 31.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,358 (5,958 total cases)
— 10.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Jim.henderson // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Hopkins County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.6% (22,616 fully vaccinated)
— 9.6% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 521 (233 total deaths)
— 76.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,967 (13,838 total cases)
— 13.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Leslie County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 50.9% (5,030 fully vaccinated)
— 9.1% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 395 (39 total deaths)
— 33.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,591 (3,219 total cases)
— 19.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Chris Light // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Nelson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.0% (23,570 fully vaccinated)
— 8.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 275 (127 total deaths)
— 7.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,875 (13,812 total cases)
— 9.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Caldwell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (6,514 fully vaccinated)
— 8.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (57 total deaths)
— 51.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,089 (3,708 total cases)
— 6.5% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Turover // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Greenup County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.1% (17,922 fully vaccinated)
— 8.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 325 (114 total deaths)
— 9.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,894 (11,194 total cases)
— 16.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Powell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.4% (6,357 fully vaccinated)
— 8.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 259 (32 total deaths)
— 12.5% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,618 (4,402 total cases)
— 30.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Breathitt County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 51.6% (6,512 fully vaccinated)
— 7.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 396 (50 total deaths)
— 33.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,186 (3,181 total cases)
— 7.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Pike County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.1% (30,130 fully vaccinated)
— 7.0% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 416 (241 total deaths)
— 40.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,968 (16,187 total cases)
— 2.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Nicholas County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (3,798 fully vaccinated)
— 6.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (29 total deaths)
— 34.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,433 (1,776 total cases)
— 10.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Letcher County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.2% (11,253 fully vaccinated)
— 6.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 418 (90 total deaths)
— 41.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,363 (6,113 total cases)
— 3.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Wolfe County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.4% (3,750 fully vaccinated)
— 6.4% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 252 (18 total deaths)
— 14.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,244 (2,093 total cases)
— 7.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Bath County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.5% (6,566 fully vaccinated)
— 6.3% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 280 (35 total deaths)
— 5.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,600 (2,575 total cases)
— 24.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Henry County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (8,502 fully vaccinated)
— 5.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 273 (44 total deaths)
— 7.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,451 (4,588 total cases)
— 4.1% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Marshall County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (16,386 fully vaccinated)
— 5.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 296 (92 total deaths)
— 0.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,875 (8,047 total cases)
— 5.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Jessamine County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.7% (28,506 fully vaccinated)
— 5.9% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 229 (124 total deaths)
— 22.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,569 (14,378 total cases)
— 2.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Daviess County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.1% (53,916 fully vaccinated)
— 5.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 342 (347 total deaths)
— 15.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,339 (29,782 total cases)
— 7.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Martin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.3% (5,965 fully vaccinated)
— 4.8% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 393 (44 total deaths)
— 32.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,289 (2,943 total cases)
— 3.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Mercer County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.4% (11,703 fully vaccinated)
— 4.6% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 447 (98 total deaths)
— 51.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 31,646 (6,941 total cases)
— 15.8% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Clark County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (19,409 fully vaccinated)
— 4.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 141 (51 total deaths)
— 52.4% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,387 (9,206 total cases)
— 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Anderson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (12,326 fully vaccinated)
— 3.2% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 264 (60 total deaths)
— 10.8% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,603 (5,824 total cases)
— 6.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Scott County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (31,119 fully vaccinated)
— 2.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 149 (85 total deaths)
— 49.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,053 (14,851 total cases)
— 4.6% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons

#17. McCracken County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.6% (35,713 fully vaccinated)
— 2.5% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 323 (211 total deaths)
— 9.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,309 (17,211 total cases)
— 3.7% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Boyle County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.6% (16,706 fully vaccinated)
— 0.7% lower vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 399 (120 total deaths)
— 34.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,852 (7,771 total cases)
— 5.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Floyd County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.1% (19,978 fully vaccinated)
— 0.2% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 436 (155 total deaths)
— 47.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 30,872 (10,987 total cases)
— 13.0% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Oldham County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.5% (37,741 fully vaccinated)
— 0.9% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 181 (121 total deaths)
— 38.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,837 (17,259 total cases)
— 5.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Bourbon County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.7% (11,212 fully vaccinated)
— 1.2% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 238 (47 total deaths)
— 19.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,946 (5,530 total cases)
— 2.3% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Fulton County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (3,416 fully vaccinated)
— 2.1% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 385 (23 total deaths)
— 30.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,730 (1,118 total cases)
— 31.4% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Lyon County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.6% (4,731 fully vaccinated)
— 2.9% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 390 (32 total deaths)
— 31.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 32,400 (2,660 total cases)
— 18.6% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Ryan Emmick // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Hancock County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.8% (5,042 fully vaccinated)
— 3.2% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 229 (20 total deaths)
— 22.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,966 (2,352 total cases)
— 1.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Greg5030 // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Kenton County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.1% (98,649 fully vaccinated)
— 5.5% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 213 (355 total deaths)
— 28.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,694 (39,569 total cases)
— 13.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Franklin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.2% (30,705 fully vaccinated)
— 7.5% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 247 (126 total deaths)
— 16.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,330 (12,406 total cases)
— 11.0% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Perry County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.8% (15,662 fully vaccinated)
— 8.6% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 547 (141 total deaths)
— 84.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 35,709 (9,198 total cases)
— 30.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Boone County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.9% (81,306 fully vaccinated)
— 8.7% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 189 (253 total deaths)
— 36.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,252 (35,068 total cases)
— 3.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Hardin County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.1% (67,744 fully vaccinated)
— 9.1% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 349 (387 total deaths)
— 17.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,062 (31,137 total cases)
— 2.7% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Rdikeman // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Campbell County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.7% (57,774 fully vaccinated)
— 10.2% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 154 (144 total deaths)
— 48.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,983 (21,508 total cases)
— 15.9% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Chris Watson // Wikicommons

#3. Jefferson County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.6% (479,804 fully vaccinated)
— 11.8% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 255 (1,954 total deaths)
— 13.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,108 (207,853 total cases)
— 0.8% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Woodford County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.9% (17,359 fully vaccinated)
— 15.9% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 153 (41 total deaths)
— 48.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,962 (6,406 total cases)
— 12.3% less cases per 100k residents than Kentucky

Christopher L. Riley // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Fayette County

– Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.0% (209,951 fully vaccinated)
— 16.1% higher vaccination rate than Kentucky
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 162 (525 total deaths)
— 45.3% less deaths per 100k residents than Kentucky
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,421 (88,610 total cases)
— 0.4% more cases per 100k residents than Kentucky