St. Matthews: Demographics & People
Census counts 17,577 people in St. Matthews, in 8,772 households. Population grew 0.5% from 17,491 (2022) to 17,577 (2024). Median age 36.5 years. (1.9y younger than Jefferson County; 2.7y younger than Kentucky). Children under 18 are 16% of the population. Population is 86% White (non-Hispanic) and 4% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.23). 48% of households are family-led. County is losing 11,778 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 17% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household.
- 52% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population grew 0.5% from 17,491 (2022) to 17,577 (2024) — close to the U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~17,663 (extrapolated at 0.2%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 17,778.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 782,969 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 0.5% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 17,491 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 17,577 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 17,577 people |
| Population Estimate | 17,778 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.5y is 2.4 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 16% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.5 years (vs Kentucky 39.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 16.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Population under 18 | 2,869 |
| Median age | 36.5 years (vs Kentucky 39.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 17,577 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.23 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 14,940 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 979 |
| Asian residents | 488 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 636 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 22.6% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 87.7% |
| Asian population | 2.3% |
| Black population | 4.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 3.5% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 85.6% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 2.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 6% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 10,426 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 5,705 |
| Share born in this state | 59.3% |
| Share born in another state | 40.7% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 32.5% |
| Foreign-born residents | 2.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 5.6% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 848 |
| From Europe | 86 |
| From Africa | 476 |
| From Latin America | 78 |
Households & Family Composition
8,772 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 48% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 4,214 families, 27% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 2,715 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 4,214 |
| Married couples with children | 1,145 |
| Single-parent households | 266 |
| Average household size | 1.96 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 15.6% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 121 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 108 |
| Family households | 4,204 households |
| Households that are families | 47.9% |
| Total households | 8,772 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 22.3% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 11,778 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 22.3% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 657,366 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 669,144 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -11,778 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 800 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 4.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 360 residents live in group quarters (2.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 360 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Formatted | KY-03 |
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 21,111 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 21 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 111 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Jefferson |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 20.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 19.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 21.70 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 21,111 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Jefferson County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large central metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 41,783 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 21,111 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Jefferson County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 79.7% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 67.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 51.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 766,757 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 20 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 16.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 17,577, stable, family-oriented, upper-middle, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 17,577 people |
| Town Summary · County | Jefferson County |
Sources: Census place-to-CD118 crosswalk (place_fips) · federal dataset cascade