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Oldham County Census Data

March 22, 2007

Census Bureau Releases New County Population Estimate Data:

County Population Now Exceeds 55,000, has grown 19.7 percent since 2000

The Census Bureau released the 2006 County Population Estimates on Thursday, March 22, 2007.  The data reflect that the Oldham County population grew by an estimated 3.4 percent or 1,826 person from July 1, 2005 to July 1, 2006.  The county’s population was an estimated 55,285 as of July 1, 2006. 

This compares to an estimated net numeric increase of 1,452 persons from 2004-2005 (2.8 percent population increase) and a population of 53,459 as of July 1, 2005.

We project that the current population is nearly 57,000 based upon trends since the 2000 census.

Nation-wide, Oldham County’s percentage growth since 2000 was ranked 177^th of the nation’s 3,141 counties (top six percent).  Its numeric estimated growth was ranked 411^th from 2000-2006.  In comparison, Oldham County’s percentage growth from 1990-2000 was 164^th nationally (38.8 percent) and its numeric growth was 489^th.

Since 2000, the population has increased by an estimated 9,107 persons (19.7 percent) realizing a significant numeric and percentage increase from 2005 to 2006.   The 2006 gain of 1,826 represents a 22 percent increase over the net gain of 1,439 from 2004-2005. Overall, the county is growing an average of 3.1 percent each year since 2000.

Oldham County 2000 Census Data

Census 2000 data will be released over the next few years.  Initial Kentucky and Oldham County data were released on March 20, 2001 with additional releases occurring since then.  We will attempt to collect and display Oldham County unique data as it becomes available.  We have also included selected data from the 1990 census as a reference as well.  Additionally, we have taken the raw data from the Census Bureau and the Kentucky State Data Center and created tables and charts that compare Oldham County to selected other counties to provide different perspectives of the information.

The buttons at the upper left will link you to specific data and tables.  The fact sheet below is from our fourth Fact Sheet.  You can access the first three fact sheet in the series by selecting the appropriate buttons to your left.

Additionally, you can download .pdf versions of the fact sheets by clicking the links below:

Fact Sheet # 1         Fact Sheet # 2   Fact Sheet # 3         Fact Sheet # 4    Population Estimate

May 30, 2001

Oldham County 2000 Census Data Fact Sheet # 4

  Subject:  Profile of General Demographic Characteristics

            The Census Bureau released the Table DP-1 Profile of General Demographic Characteristics for Kentucky on May 17.  Detailed Excel spread sheets for Kentucky’s counties and cities have been posted on the State Data Center’s website at www.cbpa.louisville.edu/ksdc/.    The information displayed in this fact sheet has been extracted and computed from the raw data posted on the site.

            We have analyzed the data to determine some of the demographic strengths and weaknesses of Oldham County relative to the other 119 Kentucky counties.  As expected,  Oldham County is a leader in a number of significant areas.

            Oldham County is a leader in percentage of married couples; average household size and average family size; percentage of children 5 to 14 years of age; percentage of adults aged 45-54; numbers and percentage of institutionalized persons; percentage of owner-occupied housing units; and lowest rental vacancy rates. 

            Oldham County continues to lead the State—by a large margin--with respect to the percent of married couples living in the county.  This reinforces the family oriented nature of the county that is a well known drawing  card for the county and plays an important role in the quality of the public school system within the county.  The top seven counties are listed below.

Percent Married Couples

Counties with Highest Percentages

(State Average = 53.9)

              Given the data above, it is not unexpected to see that Oldham County has the third lowest percent of unmarried couples in the State.  The seven counties with the lowest percentages are displayed below:

Percent Unmarried Couples

Counties with Lowest Percentages

(State Average = 1.76 Percent)

            Because of the married family statistics, it would follow that Oldham County is a leader the average household size and average family size in the Commonwealth.  That data are presented below. 

Average Household Size

Counties with Highest Average Household Sizes

(State Average = 2.47)

  Average Family Size

Counties with Highest Average Family Sizes

(State Average = 2.97)

            The medium age of Oldham County citizens for the 2000 Census was 36.7 years compared to 33.1 years a decade ago.  However, the unusually high percentage of institutionalized population distorts that figure upward and distorts the age segment percentages of Oldham County’s youth population downward.  Backing out the prison population better reflects the challenges facing the Oldham County Board of Education and other youth service providers in the coming years.  Our calculations show that Oldham County is actually ranked second in the state in the percentage of under-18 population with age segment 5-9 years ranked second statewide and age segment 10-14 ranked first.

Percent Children Under 5 Years of Age:

State Avg = 6.6%

Oldham Unadjusted = 6.6% (41^st in the State)

Adjusted = 7.13% (16^th in the State)

Percent Children 5 to 9 Years:

State Avg = 6.9%

Oldham Unadjusted = 7.8% (11^th in the State)

Oldham Adjusted = 8.48 (2^nd in the State)

Percent Children 10 to 14 Years:

State Avg = 6.91%

Oldham Unadjusted = 8.28% (2^nd  in the State)

Oldham Adjusted = 8.98% (1^st in the State)

Percent Children 15 to 19 Years:

State Avg = 7.2%

Oldham Unadjusted = 6.9% (86^th in the State)

Oldham Adjusted = 7.52% (30^th in the State)

            The data for the baby boomer and older populations are also interesting.  The data are somewhat skewed because of the incarcerated population, but not to the extent of the 19-44 year population segments.  (We will not be able to determine the exact overall impact of the prison population until the demographic profiles are released down to the Census Tract and Block levels).

                     Percent Adults 45-54 Years:

State Avg = 13.8%

Oldham  =  16.8% (1^st in the State)

Percent Adults 60-64 Years:

State Avg = 4.2%

Oldham = 3.3% (117^th in the State)

Percent Adults 65-74 Years:

State Avg = 6.8%

Oldham = 4.2% (120^th [last] in the State)

            One can probably safely conclude that the percent of adults 45-54 years for which Oldham County led the state, and the percentages of children from one-to-14 years are closely related as the migration of baby boomers and their children account for a large percentage of Oldham County’s growth the past decade.   Meanwhile, the percentage of the county’s older population—from ages 60 and up—rank among the lowest in the State—even though each age segment increased the past ten years.

              The institutionalized population in Oldham County is important due to its size and its impact to the overall demographics of the county.  The tables below provide some additional insights to the raw numbers.  It is important to recognize that the Census Bureau definition for Institutionalized Population includes people under formally authorized, supervised care or custody in institutions at the time of enumeration and includes correctional institutions, nursing homes, and juvenile institutions. 

Institutionalized Population

Counties with Highest Numbers of Institutionalized Persons

(Total State Institutionalized Population = 62,057)

Percent Institutionalized Population

Counties with Highest Institutionalized Person Percentage

(State Average = 1.54%)

           Oldham County had a total of 14,856 occupied housing units in 2000.  Of those, 12,913 (86.9 percent) were owner-occupied housing units, and 1,943 (13.1 percent) were renter-occupied housing units.

            The county experienced a 45.6 percent increase in owner-occupied homes the past decade, compared to an overall population increase of 38.8 percent (35.5 percent if the prison population is excluded).   Its percentage increase was the highest in the Louisville metropolitan area.

            Oldham County leads the Commonwealth in the percentage of owner-occupied housing units.   

Owner-Occupied Housing Units

Counties with Highest Percentage of Owner-Occupied Housing Units

(State Average = 70.8)

            Oldham County’s homeowner vacancy rate percentage was 1.7 percent, just below the State average of 1.8 percent.  However, its rental vacancy rate was among the State’s lowest.

Rental Vacancy Rate

Counties with Lowest Rental Vacancy Rates

(State Average = 8.7%)

For additional census information and analyses, visit the Oldham Ahead website at www.oldhamahead.org.  We will update the Census 2000 data as it is released from the Census Bureau and the Kentucky State Data Center and provide both raw data from the bureau as well as tailored Oldham County data.

  Please direct comments and suggestions to Doug Wampler at OldhamAhead@aol.com or call 412-7741.