Market rankings · Kentucky
Gyms and studios in Kentucky
Every metro area, small-town market and county in Kentucky, ranked by the Groundwork market score for gyms and studios, with competitor counts and household spending for each.
- Listings
- 2,024
- 391 chain locations (19%)
- Official establishments
- 665
- +5.2% since 2019
- Household spending a year
- $1.2B
- On memberships, classes and admissions
- Listings per 10k households
- 11.2
- 25% below the U.S.
- Spending per listing
- $576K
- 13% below the U.S.
- Rank among states
- #34 of 51
- Market score 45 · Lower middle
A site report maps the gyms and studios on map listings around any address in Kentucky by name and distance, and the spending within reach.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
There are 2,024 gyms and studios on map listings in Kentucky as of September 2026. Of those, 391 are chain locations, or 19%, against 20% across the U.S. Per 10,000 households, that is 11.2, 25% below the U.S. rate of 14.9.
At $643 per household (35% below the U.S. average), households in Kentucky spend about $1.2B a year on memberships, classes and admissions. That works out to $576K per location, 13% below the U.S. figure of $662K.
In 2023, official counts showed 665 businesses with payroll in Kentucky classed as fitness centers and recreation instruction, up 5.2% from 2019. That is one for every 2,729 households, against one for every 1,641 across the U.S. Across the U.S., the count rose 8.2% over the same years. Since fiscal 2022, 56 SBA-backed loans worth $16.5M have gone to businesses classed as fitness centers and recreation instruction in Kentucky.
Among the 50 states and DC, Kentucky ranks #34 for gyms and studios, with a Groundwork market score of 45 (lower middle). Of the 9 scored metro areas in or partly in Kentucky, the Cincinnati metro area scores highest (64). Of the 15 scored small-town markets in or partly in Kentucky, the Mount Sterling area scores highest (75).
Every market in Kentucky for gyms and studios
Download the ranking (CSV)Numbered by Groundwork market score among the markets based in Kentucky, highest first; the U.S. rank compares each market with every other of its kind. A metro area that crosses a state line is listed in each state it reaches, and numbered only in the state its page is under. How the score works.
Metro areas
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 64 | 1,200 | 13.2 | $731K | +2.7% | #70 of 387 |
| 1Bowling Green, KY | 55 | 73 | 10.0 | $617K | +9.5% | #138 of 387 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 51 | 144 | 11.5 | $546K | +8.5% | #184 of 387 |
| 2Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 50 | 712 | 12.8 | $600K | +2.9% | #191 of 387 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 48 | 144 | 9.5 | $653K | −2.6% | #206 of 387 |
| 3Owensboro, KY | 45 | 48 | 10.6 | $609K | +1.3% | #243 of 387 |
| 4Elizabethtown, KY | 40 | 72 | 14.2 | $459K | +2.4% | #293 of 387 |
| 5Lexington-Fayette, KY | 33 | 335 | 15.5 | $479K | +3.4% | #339 of 387 |
| 6Paducah, KY-IL | 32 | 57 | 13.7 | $477K | −1.2% | #347 of 387 |
Small-town markets
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Mount Sterling, KY | 75 | 7 | 3.9 | $1.4M | +3.1% | #25 of 535 |
| 2Pikeville, KY | 57 | 19 | 4.9 | $942K | −5.4% | #181 of 535 |
| 3Mayfield, KY | 54 | 12 | 8.5 | $634K | +1.4% | #226 of 535 |
| 4Frankfort, KY | 52 | 43 | 13.3 | $485K | +3.1% | #264 of 535 |
| 5Corbin, KY | 51 | 43 | 7.6 | $614K | +0.1% | #272 of 535 |
| 6Glasgow, KY | 49 | 19 | 8.6 | $598K | +2.6% | #295 of 535 |
| 7Murray, KY | 47 | 17 | 11.2 | $472K | +4.9% | #320 of 535 |
| 8Henderson, KY | 45 | 22 | 9.4 | $594K | −0.9% | #336 of 535 |
| 9Somerset, KY | 43 | 24 | 9.2 | $564K | +3.5% | #358 of 535 |
| 10Richmond-Berea, KY | 43 | 62 | 12.5 | $471K | +7.0% | #361 of 535 |
| 11Danville, KY | 41 | 26 | 12.0 | $456K | +3.6% | #374 of 535 |
| 12Franklin, KY | 40 | 10 | 12.5 | $467K | +5.9% | #389 of 535 |
| 13Madisonville, KY | 33 | 16 | 8.7 | $595K | −0.5% | #446 of 535 |
| 14Campbellsville, KY | 31 | 18 | 12.3 | $427K | +3.4% | #462 of 535 |
| 15Middlesborough, KY | 10 | 13 | 13.1 | $289K | −4.8% | #530 of 535 |
Counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Spencer County, KY | 74 | 9 | 12.3 | $724K | +7.7% | #169 of 2,088 |
| 2Oldham County, KY | 71 | 33 | 14.3 | $821K | +4.9% | #235 of 2,088 |
| 3Scott County, KY | 70 | 26 | 11.5 | $710K | +8.2% | #262 of 2,088 |
| 4Woodford County, KY | 68 | 12 | 11.1 | $728K | +3.7% | #325 of 2,088 |
| 5Meade County, KY | 67 | 9 | 8.2 | $863K | +2.2% | #341 of 2,088 |
| 6Boone County, KY | 67 | 66 | 13.0 | $714K | +6.5% | #353 of 2,088 |
| 7Shelby County, KY | 66 | 17 | 9.2 | $847K | +6.2% | #374 of 2,088 |
| 8Logan County, KY | 65 | 6 | 5.5 | $994K | +4.2% | #397 of 2,088 |
| 9Lincoln County, KY | 65 | 5 | 5.2 | $992K | +4.6% | #398 of 2,088 |
| 10Montgomery County, KY | 65 | 6 | 5.5 | $977K | +2.5% | #399 of 2,088 |
| 11Nelson County, KY | 64 | 19 | 9.9 | $653K | +4.8% | #471 of 2,088 |
| 12Bullitt County, KY | 62 | 36 | 11.3 | $662K | +5.0% | #537 of 2,088 |
| 13Mercer County, KY | 60 | 7 | 7.6 | $776K | +4.8% | #582 of 2,088 |
| 14Bourbon County, KY | 59 | 5 | 6.1 | $1M | −0.3% | #616 of 2,088 |
| 15Pike County, KY | 58 | 11 | 4.5 | $1M | −6.4% | #660 of 2,088 |
| 16Breckinridge County, KY | 58 | 6 | 7.4 | $749K | +5.2% | #678 of 2,088 |
| 17Muhlenberg County, KY | 56 | 5 | 4.1 | $1.4M | −0.9% | #749 of 2,088 |
| 18Grant County, KY | 54 | 8 | 8.7 | $689K | +4.7% | #860 of 2,088 |
| 19Kenton County, KY | 53 | 85 | 12.6 | $639K | +3.9% | #907 of 2,088 |
| 20Laurel County, KY | 52 | 21 | 8.8 | $612K | +1.6% | #966 of 2,088 |
| 21Trigg County, KY | 51 | 5 | 8.3 | $697K | +3.1% | #993 of 2,088 |
| 22Jessamine County, KY | 51 | 23 | 11.6 | $639K | +7.8% | #1,007 of 2,088 |
| 23Graves County, KY | 50 | 12 | 8.5 | $634K | +1.4% | #1,054 of 2,088 |
| 24Whitley County, KY | 48 | 8 | 5.9 | $773K | +1.6% | #1,142 of 2,088 |
| 25Larue County, KY | 46 | 5 | 8.3 | $685K | +2.1% | #1,247 of 2,088 |
Show all 120 counties
| Market | Score | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Population growth | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26Russell County, KY | 46 | 6 | 7.9 | $662K | +3.4% | #1,248 of 2,088 |
| 27Henry County, KY | 45 | 6 | 9.8 | $598K | +4.8% | #1,306 of 2,088 |
| 28Franklin County, KY | 45 | 29 | 12.8 | $501K | +2.0% | #1,325 of 2,088 |
| 29Calloway County, KY | 45 | 17 | 11.2 | $472K | +4.9% | #1,329 of 2,088 |
| 30Campbell County, KY | 44 | 55 | 14.0 | $575K | +2.5% | #1,350 of 2,088 |
| 31Pulaski County, KY | 43 | 24 | 9.2 | $564K | +3.5% | #1,393 of 2,088 |
| 32Warren County, KY | 41 | 71 | 12.8 | $507K | +10.6% | #1,463 of 2,088 |
| 33Hardin County, KY | 41 | 67 | 15.0 | $442K | +2.4% | #1,470 of 2,088 |
| 34Carter County, KY | 40 | 9 | 8.3 | $616K | −1.7% | #1,483 of 2,088 |
| 35Daviess County, KY | 40 | 46 | 11.0 | $586K | +1.5% | #1,489 of 2,088 |
| 36Madison County, KY | 40 | 56 | 15.1 | $416K | +9.4% | #1,502 of 2,088 |
| 37Floyd County, KY | 39 | 8 | 5.4 | $826K | −3.9% | #1,505 of 2,088 |
| 38Christian County, KY | 39 | 23 | 8.9 | $562K | −3.6% | #1,515 of 2,088 |
| 39Henderson County, KY | 39 | 20 | 10.8 | $525K | −0.9% | #1,520 of 2,088 |
| 40Barren County, KY | 39 | 18 | 10.0 | $525K | +2.6% | #1,521 of 2,088 |
| 41Marion County, KY | 38 | 7 | 9.1 | $596K | +2.7% | #1,547 of 2,088 |
| 42Jefferson County, KY | 36 | 462 | 13.9 | $514K | +1.6% | #1,616 of 2,088 |
| 43Perry County, KY | 35 | 7 | 6.3 | $765K | −6.4% | #1,638 of 2,088 |
| 44Anderson County, KY | 35 | 14 | 14.5 | $451K | +5.5% | #1,659 of 2,088 |
| 45Simpson County, KY | 34 | 10 | 12.5 | $467K | +5.9% | #1,679 of 2,088 |
| 46Marshall County, KY | 34 | 22 | 16.7 | $374K | −0.1% | #1,690 of 2,088 |
| 47Greenup County, KY | 31 | 14 | 9.5 | $622K | −1.9% | #1,750 of 2,088 |
| 48Fayette County, KY | 30 | 245 | 17.5 | $425K | +2.2% | #1,799 of 2,088 |
| 49Boyle County, KY | 30 | 21 | 17.4 | $328K | +2.9% | #1,808 of 2,088 |
| 50Hopkins County, KY | 28 | 16 | 8.7 | $595K | −0.5% | #1,836 of 2,088 |
| 51Grayson County, KY | 28 | 12 | 11.8 | $459K | +3.6% | #1,851 of 2,088 |
| 52Carroll County, KY | 26 | 6 | 14.4 | $410K | +2.9% | #1,890 of 2,088 |
| 53Rowan County, KY | 25 | 9 | 9.4 | $572K | −1.0% | #1,898 of 2,088 |
| 54McCracken County, KY | 25 | 50 | 18.1 | $367K | −0.5% | #1,912 of 2,088 |
| 55Boyd County, KY | 24 | 21 | 10.9 | $530K | −0.9% | #1,917 of 2,088 |
| 56Harlan County, KY | 24 | 10 | 9.3 | $456K | −7.6% | #1,921 of 2,088 |
| 57Clark County, KY | 24 | 24 | 15.9 | $386K | +2.3% | #1,926 of 2,088 |
| 58Taylor County, KY | 21 | 15 | 14.6 | $363K | +2.9% | #1,965 of 2,088 |
| 59Caldwell County, KY | 18 | 6 | 11.9 | $457K | −0.3% | #1,987 of 2,088 |
| 60Bell County, KY | 15 | 13 | 13.1 | $289K | −4.8% | #2,023 of 2,088 |
| 61Johnson County, KY | 14 | 8 | 8.8 | $506K | −2.6% | #2,026 of 2,088 |
| 62Mason County, KY | 11 | 10 | 14.0 | $378K | −1.2% | #2,050 of 2,088 |
| 63Knox County, KY | 7 | 11 | 9.4 | $404K | −2.2% | #2,075 of 2,088 |
| Ohio County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 3.3 | $1.6M | +0.8% | |
| Allen County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 1.2 | $4.3M | +9.5% | |
| Letcher County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 2.4 | $1.6M | −7.0% | |
| Clay County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $979K | −4.1% | |
| Hart County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +4.3% | |
| Wayne County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 3.7 | $1.1M | +0.3% | |
| Harrison County, KY | Not scored | 4 | 5.5 | $1.2M | +4.9% | |
| Adair County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 4.2 | $1.2M | +2.9% | |
| Garrard County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 1.5 | $3.7M | +7.3% | |
| McCreary County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 3.4 | $991K | +1.7% | |
| Rockcastle County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $1.1M | +0.6% | |
| Lawrence County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 4.7 | $1M | −3.3% | |
| Casey County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 4.6 | $1M | +1.8% | |
| Fleming County, KY | Not scored | 4 | 6.8 | $681K | +4.6% | |
| Pendleton County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 3.7 | $1.6M | +1.1% | |
| Morgan County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 6.1 | $762K | +5.0% | |
| Estill County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 5.0 | $912K | −1.4% | |
| Knott County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 1.8 | $2.4M | −5.9% | |
| Breathitt County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 1.8 | $2.1M | −8.3% | |
| Union County, KY | Not scored | 4 | 7.7 | $666K | −5.9% | |
| Jackson County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 3.9 | $1.1M | +2.8% | |
| Powell County, KY | Not scored | 4 | 8.4 | $513K | −2.2% | |
| Lewis County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 4.0 | $1.2M | −1.4% | |
| Bath County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 2.1 | $2.6M | +3.6% | |
| Webster County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 4.1 | $1.3M | −0.7% | |
| Todd County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 4.4 | $1.4M | +5.6% | |
| Butler County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +1.6% | |
| Edmonson County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 2.0 | $2.4M | +5.0% | |
| Washington County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 2.1 | $2.8M | +2.7% | |
| Green County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 6.8 | $746K | +4.6% | |
| Magoffin County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 2.1 | $1.8M | −4.3% | |
| Owen County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 7.1 | $752K | +2.6% | |
| Monroe County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 2.2 | $2.2M | −1.1% | |
| Martin County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 5.2 | $984K | −4.9% | |
| Metcalfe County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 2.4 | $1.9M | +2.9% | |
| Leslie County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 2.4 | $1.8M | −8.0% | |
| Clinton County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 5.2 | $793K | −1.0% | |
| McLean County, KY | Not scored | 2 | 5.5 | $1.2M | −0.8% | |
| Hancock County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 8.2 | $664K | −0.6% | |
| Crittenden County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 8.5 | $577K | −2.2% | |
| Livingston County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −0.1% | |
| Lyon County, KY | Not scored | 6 | 17.5 | $376K | +5.2% | |
| Gallatin County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 9.2 | $634K | +1.9% | |
| Trimble County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +2.8% | |
| Bracken County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 8.9 | $746K | +1.3% | |
| Nicholas County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 3.6 | $1.3M | +5.4% | |
| Ballard County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.5% | |
| Lee County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 11.6 | $323K | −0.9% | |
| Elliott County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −0.9% | |
| Wolfe County, KY | Not scored | 3 | 11.2 | $277K | −4.0% | |
| Fulton County, KY | Not scored | 4 | 15.7 | $238K | −4.5% | |
| Menifee County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +4.8% | |
| Cumberland County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 3.8 | $1M | +2.3% | |
| Carlisle County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −1.2% | |
| Hickman County, KY | Not scored | 1 | 5.8 | $1.1M | −3.4% | |
| Owsley County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | −2.5% | |
| Robertson County, KY | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | n/a | +6.6% |
Markets with fewer than 5 gyms and studios on map listings, and counties under 10,000 people, aren’t scored; they’re listed last in each table.
Questions
How many gyms and studios are in Kentucky?
As of September 2026, map listings count 2,024 gyms and studios in Kentucky. 391 of them (19%) are chain locations. The listings count gyms, fitness studios, martial arts and dance studios. Official counts show 665 businesses with payroll classed as fitness centers and recreation instruction in 2023, up 5.2% from 2019.
How much do households in Kentucky spend on memberships, classes and admissions?
About $1.2B a year, or $643 per household. That is 35% below the U.S. average (an index of 65, where 100 is the U.S. average). Spread across the 2,024 gyms and studios on map listings, it comes to $576K per location. It is estimated from the incomes of the 1,814,469 households in Kentucky and national spending patterns by income.
How does Kentucky compare with the U.S. for gyms and studios?
Kentucky has 11.2 gyms and studios per 10,000 households, 25% below the U.S. rate of 14.9. Spending per location is $576K, 13% below the U.S. figure of $662K. At the U.S. ratio of gyms and studios to household spending, Kentucky would have about 1,762, against 2,024 on map listings. There is one business with payroll in the industry for every 2,729 households, against one for every 1,641 across the U.S. The official count rose 5.2% from 2019 to 2023, against +8.2% for the U.S.
Which market in Kentucky has the highest market score for gyms and studios?
Among 9 scored metro areas in or partly in Kentucky, the Cincinnati metro area scores highest, at 64 (upper middle). Among 15 scored small-town markets in or partly in Kentucky, the Mount Sterling area scores highest, at 75 (high). Among 63 scored counties in Kentucky, Spencer County scores highest, at 74 (upper middle). Scores compare each market with others of its kind across the U.S.
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. Kentucky scores 45 for gyms and studios (lower middle), #34 of the 50 states and DC.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Kentucky. It maps the gyms and studios on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
Gyms, studios and classes in other states
All 51 states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Top markets for gyms and studios across the U.S. · All business types in Kentucky
Related business types in Kentucky
- Gyms1,167 listings
- Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios261 listings
- Martial arts and dance studios596 listings
Screening a site or an acquisition in Kentucky?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.