Biggest sources of immigrants to Kentucky
Written by:
March 24, 2021
Kys951 // Wikimedia Commons
Biggest sources of immigrants to Kentucky
Nearly 14% of the United States population is composed of immigrants. But in reality, the vast majority of Americans today are here because of relatives who immigrated from other countries some time in the last several hundred years.
And while the distinctive American culture and spirit is the result of blending many diverse cultures and histories, the United States has for centuries had an up-and-down relationship with immigration.
Each era of immigration has been met with reductive ideas and resistance, whether the backlash was directed toward the Chinese, Irish, Italians, or Mexicans. Immigration laws have targeted specific groups at various times, stoking intolerance and preventing people from truly joining American society. Over time, however, as laws changed to be more equitable and immigrants found their footings, we have reaped the rewards of innovation in business, music, art, literature, dance, food, societal norms, entertainment, and sports—all while realizing a greater understanding of and respect for different cultures, religions, and ideas.
Stacker compiled a list of the biggest sources of immigrants to Kentucky using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Keep reading to find out more about the immigrant community in your home state.
1 / 50
Abasaa // Wikimedia Commons
#50. Micronesia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 489
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 28,315
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #109 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 489
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 28,315
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #109 most common country of origin
2 / 50
GoodFreePhotos
#49. Malaysia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 497
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 76,521
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #74 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 497
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 76,521
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #74 most common country of origin
3 / 50
Lena Ha // Shutterstock
#48. Senegal
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 556
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 26,122
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #112 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 556
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 26,122
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #112 most common country of origin
4 / 50
PIxabay
#47. Taiwan
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 563
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 563
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 381,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #24 most common country of origin
5 / 50
Prin Adulyatham // Shutterstock
#46. Egypt
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 592
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 592
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
National
- Number of residents: 191,452
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #40 most common country of origin
6 / 50
SL-Photography // Shutterstock
#45. Panama
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 608
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 608
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 103,299
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #58 most common country of origin
7 / 50
Pixabay
#44. Italy
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 332,857
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #30 most common country of origin
8 / 50
Rjruiziii // Wikicommons
#43. Ghana
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 661
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 178,388
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #43 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 661
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 178,388
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #43 most common country of origin
9 / 50
blk24ga // Wikicommons
#42. Liberia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 691
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 87,991
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #67 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 691
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 87,991
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #67 most common country of origin
10 / 50
Pixabay
#41. Uzbekistan
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 757
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 62,517
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #79 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 757
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
National
- Number of residents: 62,517
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #79 most common country of origin
11 / 50
HandmadePictures // Shutterstock
#40. South Africa
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 788
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 104,022
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #56 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 788
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 104,022
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #56 most common country of origin
12 / 50
Vannrith Va // Unsplash
#39. Cambodia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 833
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 151,066
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #46 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 833
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 151,066
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #46 most common country of origin
13 / 50
byvalet // Shutterstock
#38. Jamaica
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 886
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 886
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 741,386
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #13 most common country of origin
14 / 50
Tupungato // Shutterstock
#37. France
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 940
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 940
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
National
- Number of residents: 181,554
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.4%
- #41 most common country of origin
15 / 50
Kendra Helmer // Wikimedia Commons
#36. Haiti
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 975
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 672,655
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #15 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 975
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 672,655
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #15 most common country of origin
16 / 50
Catarina Belova // Shutterstock
#35. Brazil
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,020
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,020
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 433,479
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #20 most common country of origin
17 / 50
Unsplash
#34. Ukraine
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,029
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,029
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 345,250
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #28 most common country of origin
18 / 50
Sergei25 // Shutterstock
#33. Jordan
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,050
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,050
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 81,155
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #71 most common country of origin
19 / 50
Christian Vinces // Shutterstock
#32. Peru
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,061
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,061
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
National
- Number of residents: 451,076
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
- #18 most common country of origin
20 / 50
Saqib Rizvi // Shutterstock
#31. Pakistan
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,146
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,146
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 376,127
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #25 most common country of origin
21 / 50
Ninara // Wikimedia Commons
#30. Iran
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,154
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,154
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 382,260
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #23 most common country of origin
22 / 50
OpenUpEd // Flickr
#29. Nigeria
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,186
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 350,272
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #26 most common country of origin
23 / 50
agchinook // Shutterstock
#28. Venezuela
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,223
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,223
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.7%
National
- Number of residents: 349,720
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #27 most common country of origin
24 / 50
neiljs // Flickr
#27. Ethiopia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,477
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,477
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 249,777
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #34 most common country of origin
25 / 50
Fitria Ramli // Shutterstock
#26. Saudi Arabia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,478
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,478
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 85,000
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #70 most common country of origin
26 / 50
Alexander Canas Arango // Shutterstock
#25. Colombia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,559
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,559
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 761,374
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.7%
- #12 most common country of origin
27 / 50
Photos By Beks // Unsplash
#24. Kenya
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,591
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,591
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 141,751
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #48 most common country of origin
28 / 50
MDOGAN // Shutterstock
#23. Somalia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,594
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 98,966
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #60 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,594
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
National
- Number of residents: 98,966
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #60 most common country of origin
29 / 50
Issa Kashala // Shutterstock
#22. Democratic Republic of Congo
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,690
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 43,723
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #91 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,690
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 43,723
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #91 most common country of origin
30 / 50
Jack Bkk // Shutterstock
#21. Thailand
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,756
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,756
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.0%
National
- Number of residents: 255,345
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.6%
- #32 most common country of origin
31 / 50
Irene2005 // Flickr
#20. Congo
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,826
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 30,496
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #106 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,826
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 30,496
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.1%
- #106 most common country of origin
32 / 50
JMRAFFi // Wikimedia Commons
#19. El Salvador
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,840
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,840
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 1,381,008
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.1%
- #5 most common country of origin
33 / 50
Viacheslav Lopatin // Shutterstock
#18. Russia
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 1,894
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 1,894
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.1%
National
- Number of residents: 391,641
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.9%
- #22 most common country of origin
34 / 50
Vixit // Shutterstock
#17. Nepal
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 2,088
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 140,904
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #49 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,088
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.2%
National
- Number of residents: 140,904
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #49 most common country of origin
35 / 50
USACE HQ , JIM GORDAN, CIV, USACE // Wikicommons
#16. Iraq
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 2,222
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,222
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
National
- Number of residents: 225,038
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.5%
- #38 most common country of origin
36 / 50
Cheng Qian // Unsplash
#15. Burma
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 2,427
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 147,573
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #47 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 2,427
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.4%
National
- Number of residents: 147,573
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.3%
- #47 most common country of origin
37 / 50
Unsplash
#14. Japan
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 3,316
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,316
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.9%
National
- Number of residents: 345,140
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.8%
- #29 most common country of origin
38 / 50
neshom // Pixabay
#13. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 3,468
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,468
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.0%
National
- Number of residents: 103,938
- Percent of foreign born residents: 0.2%
- #57 most common country of origin
39 / 50
User:Colin // Wikimedia Commons
#12. United Kingdom
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 3,533
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,533
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 698,612
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.6%
- #14 most common country of origin
40 / 50
Marek Poplawski // Shutterstock
#11. Honduras
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 3,621
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,621
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 651,123
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.5%
- #16 most common country of origin
41 / 50
Unsplash
#10. Canada
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 3,696
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,696
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.1%
National
- Number of residents: 808,566
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.8%
- #11 most common country of origin
42 / 50
Quangpraha // Pixabay
#9. Vietnam
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 3,844
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 3,844
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
National
- Number of residents: 1,336,988
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.0%
- #6 most common country of origin
43 / 50
Kys951 // Wikimedia Commons
#8. South Korea
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 4,024
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.3%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 4,024
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.3%
National
- Number of residents: 1,044,634
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.4%
- #9 most common country of origin
44 / 50
Max Pixel
#7. Germany
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 5,664
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.3%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 5,664
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.3%
National
- Number of residents: 560,368
- Percent of foreign born residents: 1.3%
- #17 most common country of origin
45 / 50
Kobby Dagan // Shutterstock
#6. Guatemala
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 5,891
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.4%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 5,891
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.4%
National
- Number of residents: 979,098
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.2%
- #10 most common country of origin
46 / 50
Joseph Oropel // Shutterstock
#5. Philippines
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 6,194
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.6%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,194
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.6%
National
- Number of residents: 1,983,939
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.5%
- #4 most common country of origin
47 / 50
Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#4. China
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 6,776
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.9%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 6,776
- Percent of foreign born residents: 3.9%
National
- Number of residents: 2,162,395
- Percent of foreign born residents: 4.9%
- #3 most common country of origin
48 / 50
Falkenpost // Pixabay
#3. Cuba
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 10,986
- Percent of foreign born residents: 6.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 10,986
- Percent of foreign born residents: 6.4%
National
- Number of residents: 1,289,875
- Percent of foreign born residents: 2.9%
- #7 most common country of origin
49 / 50
Kriangkrai Thitimakorn // Shutterstock
#2. India
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 12,624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 7.3%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 12,624
- Percent of foreign born residents: 7.3%
National
- Number of residents: 2,561,906
- Percent of foreign born residents: 5.8%
- #2 most common country of origin
50 / 50
Arturo Chavez // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Mexico
Kentucky
- Number of residents: 32,387
- Percent of foreign born residents: 18.8%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
- Number of residents: 32,387
- Percent of foreign born residents: 18.8%
National
- Number of residents: 11,250,541
- Percent of foreign born residents: 25.6%
- #1 most common country of origin
