Kentucky (KY)

KENTUCKY STATE FLAG

Kentucky is located in the East Central United States, bordered by seven other states including West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Kentucky is divided into five geographic regions – the Bluegrass Region in the north central part of the state; the Pennyroyal Region in south central Kentucky; the Western Coal Fields in west-central Kentucky; the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky; and the Mountain Region in eastern Kentucky.

The Bluegrass Region is known for its fertile soil and rolling hills. This region is home to many of Kentucky’s major cities including Lexington and Louisville. The Pennyroyal region is characterized by karst topography with limestone caves, sinkholes and underground streams. This area is also known for its large deposits of coal and iron ore which were mined extensively during the 19th century.

The Western Coal Fields are located in west-central Kentucky near Paducah and comprise a large portion of the state’s coal production. The Cumberland Plateau region covers much of southeastern Kentucky and includes parts of both Tennessee and Virginia. This region is home to many natural features such as Mammoth Cave National Park as well as several protected areas like Daniel Boone National Forest.

The Mountain Region comprises much of eastern Kentucky with some portions extending into West Virginia. This region is characterized by rugged terrain with steep mountains and deep valleys which have long been mined for coal, timber, oil, natural gas and other minerals. Much of this area was deforested during the 19th century but has since been reforested with a variety of trees such as maple, oak and hickory.

Overall, Kentucky has a diverse geography consisting of rolling hills in its central regions to rugged mountains in its eastern portions. Its rich soil has long supported agricultural production while its mineral resources have been mined extensively over time providing jobs for its residents. Additionally, several protected areas provide outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking trails throughout these unique landscapes making it an ideal place to explore nature’s wonders while enjoying all that this great state has to offer.

Kentucky was granted statehood in 1792, becoming the first U.S. state west of the Appalachians. Frontiersman Daniel Boone was one of Kentucky’s most prominent explorers and many immigrants followed the trail he blazed through the Cumberland Gap, known as the Wilderness Road.

Although it sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War, the population was deeply divided and many Kentucky residents fought for the North. Known primarily as an agricultural region until the 20th century, Kentucky is also a major U.S. coal producer and the site of the U.S. military bases Fort Knox and Fort Campbell.

It is also known as the home of the legendary Kentucky Derby horse race and bluegrass music pioneered by Kentucky native Bill Monroe.

Geography

 

Cities in Kentucky

Below are the top 15 cities by population in Kentucky. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Kentucky cities list.

Rank City Population
1 Louisville/Jefferson 630,260
2 Lexington-Fayette 321,354
3 Bowling Green 71,422
4 Owensboro 59,839
5 Covington 40,930
6 Georgetown 36,281
7 Richmond 34,662
8 Florence 31,699
9 Elizabethtown 31,066
9 Nicholasville 31,066
11 Hopkinsville 30,771
12 Jeffersontown 28,800
13 Frankfort 28,479
14 Independence 28,256
15 Henderson 28,201

Counties in Kentucky

The State of Kentucky consists of 120 counties. They are:

  1. Adair County, Kentucky
  2. Allen County, Kentucky
  3. Anderson County, Kentucky
  4. Ballard County, Kentucky
  5. Barren County, Kentucky
  6. Bath County, Kentucky
  7. Bell County, Kentucky
  8. Boone County, Kentucky
  9. Bourbon County, Kentucky
  10. Boyd County, Kentucky
  11. Boyle County, Kentucky
  12. Bracken County, Kentucky
  13. Breathitt County, Kentucky
  14. Breckinridge County, Kentucky
  15. Bullitt County, Kentucky
  16. Butler County, Kentucky
  17. Caldwell County, Kentucky
  18. Calloway County, Kentucky
  19. Campbell County, Kentucky
  20. Carlisle County, Kentucky
  21. Carroll County, Kentucky
  22. Carter County, Kentucky
  23. Casey County, Kentucky
  24. Christian County, Kentucky
  25. Clark County, Kentucky
  26. Clay County, Kentucky
  27. Clinton County, Kentucky
  28. Crittenden County, Kentucky
  29. Cumberland County, Kentucky
  30. Daviess County, Kentucky
  31. Edmonson County, Kentucky
  32. Elliott County, Kentucky
  33. Estill County, Kentucky
  34. Fayette County, Kentucky[18]
  35. Fleming County, Kentucky
  36. Floyd County, Kentucky
  37. Franklin County, Kentucky
  38. Fulton County, Kentucky
  39. Gallatin County, Kentucky
  40. Garrard County, Kentucky
  41. Grant County, Kentucky
  42. Graves County, Kentucky
  43. Grayson County, Kentucky
  44. Green County, Kentucky
  45. Greenup County, Kentucky
  46. Hancock County, Kentucky
  47. Hardin County, Kentucky
  48. Harlan County, Kentucky
  49. Harrison County, Kentucky
  50. Hart County, Kentucky
  51. Henderson County, Kentucky
  52. Henry County, Kentucky
  53. Hickman County, Kentucky
  54. Hopkins County, Kentucky
  55. Jackson County, Kentucky
  56. Jefferson County, Kentucky
  57. Jessamine County, Kentucky
  58. Johnson County, Kentucky
  59. Kenton County, Kentucky
  60. Knott County, Kentucky
  61. Knox County, Kentucky
  62. LaRue County, Kentucky
  63. Laurel County, Kentucky
  64. Lawrence County, Kentucky
  65. Lee County, Kentucky
  66. Leslie County, Kentucky
  67. Letcher County, Kentucky
  68. Lewis County, Kentucky
  69. Lincoln County, Kentucky
  70. Livingston County, Kentucky
  71. Logan County, Kentucky
  72. Lyon County, Kentucky
  73. Madison County, Kentucky
  74. Magoffin County, Kentucky
  75. Marion County, Kentucky
  76. Marshall County, Kentucky
  77. Martin County, Kentucky
  78. Mason County, Kentucky
  79. McCracken County, Kentucky
  80. McCreary County, Kentucky
  81. McLean County, Kentucky
  82. Meade County, Kentucky
  83. Menifee County, Kentucky
  84. Mercer County, Kentucky
  85. Metcalfe County, Kentucky
  86. Monroe County, Kentucky
  87. Montgomery County, Kentucky
  88. Morgan County, Kentucky
  89. Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
  90. Nelson County, Kentucky
  91. Nicholas County, Kentucky
  92. Ohio County, Kentucky
  93. Oldham County, Kentucky
  94. Owen County, Kentucky
  95. Owsley County, Kentucky
  96. Pendleton County, Kentucky
  97. Perry County, Kentucky
  98. Pike County, Kentucky
  99. Powell County, Kentucky
  100. Pulaski County, Kentucky
  101. Robertson County, Kentucky
  102. Rockcastle County, Kentucky
  103. Rowan County, Kentucky
  104. Russell County, Kentucky
  105. Scott County, Kentucky
  106. Shelby County, Kentucky
  107. Simpson County, Kentucky
  108. Spencer County, Kentucky
  109. Taylor County, Kentucky
  110. Todd County, Kentucky
  111. Trigg County, Kentucky
  112. Trimble County, Kentucky
  113. Union County, Kentucky
  114. Warren County, Kentucky
  115. Washington County, Kentucky
  116. Wayne County, Kentucky
  117. Webster County, Kentucky
  118. Whitley County, Kentucky
  119. Wolfe County, Kentucky
  120. Woodford County, Kentucky

KENTUCKY STATE FLAG