Scott County

Scott County, Kentucky — key demographics

Population size

• 2023 population estimate: approximately 64,000–65,000 (U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program)
• 2020 Census count: 57,155
• Fast-growing county in Kentucky over the past decade

Age

• Median age: about 36 years (ACS 2019–2023, 5-year)
• Under 18: ~25%
• 65 and over: ~13–14%
• Younger than the Kentucky median overall

Gender

• Female: ~50–51% (ACS 2019–2023, 5-year)

Racial/ethnic composition (ACS 2019–2023, 5-year; shares may not sum to 100% due to rounding)

• White, non-Hispanic: ~82–84%
• Black or African American: ~6–8%
• Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~5–7%
• Asian: ~2–3%
• Two or more races: ~3–5%
• Other races (including American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander): <1% each

Household data (ACS 2019–2023, 5-year)

• Households: roughly 22,000–24,000
• Average household size: ~2.7 persons
• Family households: ~70–72% of all households
• Married-couple families: ~50–55% of households
• Households with children under 18: ~35–38%
• Nonfamily households: ~28–30%; living alone: ~22–24%
• Average family size: ~3.1–3.2

Insights

• Rapid population growth tied to employment and proximity to the Lexington metro
• Demographic profile skews younger with larger household sizes than Kentucky’s average
• Racial/ethnic diversity is increasing, though the population remains majority non-Hispanic White

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census (DHC) and American Community Survey 2019–2023 5-year estimates; Population Estimates Program (2023).

• Estimated email users: ≈49,000 residents in Scott County, KY (≈78% of total population; ≈93% of adults), based on 2023 population estimates and U.S. email adoption rates.
• Age distribution of email users (approximate share of users):
  • 13–17: 6%
  • 18–29: 18%
  • 30–49: 38%
  • 50–64: 26%
  • 65+: 12%
• Gender split among users: ~51% female, ~49% male (mirrors county sex ratio and national email usage parity).

Digital access and trends

• Broadband subscription: ~90% of households have a broadband subscription (ACS 2018–2022).
• Coverage: ≥99% of addresses have access to ≥25/3 Mbps fixed broadband per FCC maps; most Georgetown addresses have 100–1000 Mbps via cable or fiber, with fixed wireless filling rural gaps.
• Device access: Smartphone ownership aligns with national levels (>85% of adults), supporting high email reach via mobile.
• Work/education: Increased remote work and online schooling since 2020 sustain high email reliance for employers, schools, and public services.

Local density/connectivity facts

• Population density ≈220 people per square mile (land area ~285 sq mi; 2023 est. population ~62.7k).
• I‑75 corridor and proximity to Lexington provide robust backhaul and multiple ISP options in the urbanized core (Georgetown).

Mobile phone usage in Scott County, Kentucky (latest available data: 2018–2023)

Overall adoption and user estimates

• Household smartphone adoption: Approximately 90–92% of households report having a smartphone (ACS S2801, 2018–2022 5-year).
• Cellular data plan adoption: Roughly 75–78% of households report a cellular data plan for internet (ACS S2801, 2018–2022 5-year).
• Mobile-only internet households (cellular data but no fixed/wired broadband): About 5–7% (ACS S2801, 2018–2022 5-year), lower than Kentucky’s statewide share.
• No internet subscription: About 6–8% of households in Scott County versus a higher statewide rate in Kentucky (ACS S2801, 2018–2022 5-year).
• Practical user count: Given Scott County’s population and household makeup, these adoption rates translate to a solid majority of adult residents regularly using smartphones and cellular data, with mobile-only internet reliance notably below the Kentucky average.

Demographic patterns shaping usage (how Scott County differs from Kentucky)

• Younger profile: Scott County’s population skews slightly younger than the state median, supporting higher smartphone and app-based service usage.
• Higher income and education: Median household income and bachelor’s degree attainment are both higher than the Kentucky average, correlating with higher smartphone penetration, 5G device ownership, and multi-line family plans.
• Race/ethnicity: A growing Hispanic population and a slightly more suburban profile than the state average align with higher mobile adoption and lower “no-internet” rates than statewide figures.

Digital infrastructure and performance

• Coverage: All three national carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) provide countywide 4G LTE coverage with 5G available across Georgetown, the Toyota manufacturing area, and the I-75 corridor. Population coverage for LTE is effectively universal, and 5G covers the core population centers.
• Capacity and speeds: Median mobile download performance in the urban/suburban core is materially higher than Kentucky’s statewide median, with strong mid-band 5G along the I-75 corridor and in Georgetown. Rural edges north and west of Georgetown see greater variability but still maintain dependable LTE for voice and data.
• Tower siting and backhaul: Macro sites cluster along I-75, US-25, and around industrial/commercial zones with fiber backhaul, enabling denser 5G mid-band deployments than is typical in many rural Kentucky counties.
• Fixed broadband interplay: High fixed-broadband availability in Georgetown (cable and pockets of fiber) reduces dependence on cellular-only internet compared with the state overall, and supports widespread Wi‑Fi offload at home, school, and work. This drives higher mobile device usage but lower mobile-only reliance than the Kentucky average.

Key takeaways versus Kentucky statewide

• Higher smartphone and cellular-plan penetration than the state average.
• Lower rates of mobile-only internet and “no internet” households than Kentucky overall.
• Stronger 5G availability and capacity in population centers, with fewer coverage gaps than many rural Kentucky counties.
• Demographics—higher income, higher education, and a younger, fast‑growing suburban profile—support earlier adoption of newer mobile devices and 5G plans compared with statewide trends.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) S2801 Computer and Internet Use, 2018–2022 5-year estimates; FCC and carrier 4G/5G coverage disclosures and county-level availability as of 2023.

Social media usage in Scott County, KY (2024 snapshot)

Overall reach and user stats

• Adults using at least one social platform: ~78–82% of residents 18+ (in line with U.S. averages for suburban counties). Using ACS population structure for Scott County, this equates to roughly 35–40 thousand adult users.
• Teen usage: Very high; 85%+ of 13–17-year-olds use at least one platform, with Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram dominant.

Most-used platforms (share of adults; 2024 est.)

• YouTube: ~83%
• Facebook: ~68–70%
• Instagram: ~47–50%
• TikTok: ~33–35%
• Snapchat: ~28–32%
• LinkedIn: ~28–32%
• Pinterest: ~28–32%
• WhatsApp: ~25–30%
• X (Twitter): ~22–25%
• Reddit: ~20–24%

Age-group breakdown (share using any social; key behaviors)

• 18–29: 95%+. Heavy on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat; short‑form video and DMs drive engagement; Facebook used for events/groups.
• 30–49: 85–88%. Facebook + YouTube core; strong Instagram growth; TikTok used for local food, family, DIY.
• 50–64: 70–75%. Facebook Groups/Marketplace and YouTube dominate; Instagram secondary.
• 65+: 50–55%. Facebook is primary social hub; YouTube for news/how‑to; limited Instagram/TikTok.

Gender breakdown

• Overall adoption: Men ~80%, Women ~80–82%.
• Platform skews: Women higher on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest; men higher on YouTube, Reddit, X. TikTok gap is small among under‑35s; Snapchat skews female.
• Behavioral notes: Women engage more in community groups and Marketplace; men skew toward sports/news and long‑form video.

Behavioral trends in Scott County

• Community and local info: Facebook Groups are the backbone for schools, youth sports, churches, and neighborhood updates; local government and public safety pages spur spikes during severe weather and traffic incidents along I‑75/US‑25.
• Commerce: Facebook Marketplace is the default for peer‑to‑peer resale; local restaurants and retailers lean on Instagram Reels and TikTok for discovery; YouTube reviews/how‑tos influence higher‑consideration buys (home, auto).
• Video‑first consumption: Short‑form video (Reels/TikTok/Shorts) drives reach across 18–44; YouTube remains universal for how‑to, family entertainment, and product research.
• Messaging-centric use: Facebook Messenger dominates; WhatsApp is present in multilingual and extended‑family networks.
• Timing and devices: Predominantly mobile; engagement peaks evenings (7–9 pm) and weekend late mornings; school-year schedules influence weekday spikes.

Practical takeaways

• Coverage: Facebook + Instagram reach ~70% of adults; adding YouTube brings near‑universal visibility.
• Under‑35 targeting: Prioritize Instagram Reels + TikTok + Snapchat with vertical, creator‑style content.
• 50+ targeting: Facebook Groups, Events, and live/community updates outperform; clear calls to action for in‑person events work well.

Sources and method

• Estimates synthesize Pew Research Center’s 2024 Social Media Use findings with Scott County’s age structure from recent ACS/Census releases. Platform percentages are expressed as share of adults; ranges reflect confidence from national-to-county adjustment.