Kentucky
KY · Data from 2022–2023 government sources
Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, straddles the border between the American South and the Midwest. Famous for bourbon, thoroughbred horses, and bluegrass music, Kentucky is a state of rich traditions and stunning natural beauty. The rolling horse farms of the Bluegrass region, the ancient forests of Daniel Boone National Forest, and the world's longest cave system at Mammoth Cave make Kentucky a unique American destination.
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Play GeoProwlHistory
Kentucky was originally part of Virginia and was explored by Daniel Boone, who blazed the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap in 1775. Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792 — the first state west of the Appalachian Mountains. During the Civil War, Kentucky was a border state that officially remained in the Union but had deeply divided loyalties — both Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were born in Kentucky, just 100 miles apart.
Economy
Bourbon is Kentucky's signature industry — about 95% of the world's bourbon is produced in the state, generating over $9 billion annually. The equine industry, centered in the Bluegrass region around Lexington, supports thoroughbred breeding and racing, including the Kentucky Derby. Manufacturing (particularly automobiles — Toyota's largest North American plant is in Georgetown), coal mining, and healthcare are other major sectors. UPS's global air hub at Louisville's airport makes the city a logistics center.
Geography & Landmarks
Kentucky covers 40,408 square miles with diverse terrain. The Bluegrass region in the north-central part features gently rolling hills and rich limestone soil. The eastern portion is mountainous Appalachia, with coal-rich valleys and peaks reaching 4,145 feet at Black Mountain. Mammoth Cave National Park in south-central Kentucky protects the world's longest known cave system, with over 420 miles of surveyed passages. The Land Between the Lakes in the west is a 170,000-acre recreation area between two major reservoirs. The Breaks Interstate Park on the Kentucky-Virginia border, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the South, features a five-mile gorge carved 1,600 feet deep by the Russell Fork River. New sections of Mammoth Cave are still being discovered, extending the system beyond 420 miles.
Camp Nelson National Monument — NPS/ A. Goetz
Source: NPS API
Culture & Traditions
Kentucky is inseparable from bourbon — the state produces approximately 95% of the world's bourbon whiskey supply, with historic distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in towns like Bardstown, Frankfort, and Lawrenceburg. Bluegrass music was born in Kentucky, pioneered by Bill Monroe from Rosine, and the state hosts the annual Festival of the Bluegrass near Lexington. The Kentucky Derby, held at Churchill Downs in Louisville on the first Saturday in May since 1875, is the longest continuously held sporting event in the United States and is accompanied by mint juleps, elaborate hats, and two weeks of civic celebration. Kentucky's culinary traditions include hot browns (an open-faced turkey sandwich created at Louisville's Brown Hotel in 1926), burgoo stew, and beer cheese. Louisville native Muhammad Ali, considered the greatest boxer of all time, is honored at the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum and cultural hub on the city's riverfront.
Notable Cities
Frankfort
CapitalThe state capital, a small city on the Kentucky River. Home to Buffalo Trace Distillery, one of the oldest continuously operating distilleries in America.
28,460
Population
$53,905
Median income
$157,300
Home value
$889
Median rent
34.2
Median age
5.4%
Unemployment
48.0%
Homeownership
3,099
Bachelor's+
Louisville
Kentucky's largest city and home to the Kentucky Derby, held annually at Churchill Downs since 1875. Also known for Louisville Slugger baseball bats and the Muhammad Ali Center.
Lexington
The Horse Capital of the World, surrounded by scenic thoroughbred farms. Home to the University of Kentucky and a growing technology and healthcare sector.
Bowling Green
Home to the National Corvette Museum and the only Corvette assembly plant in the world. Also home to Western Kentucky University.
Berea
Known as the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky, home to Berea College — the first interracial, coeducational college in the South.
Capital city data: Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)
Intel File · Fun Facts
About 95% of the world's bourbon whiskey is produced in Kentucky, aged in the state's limestone-filtered water and charred oak barrels.
Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave system, with over 420 miles of surveyed passageways — and new passages are still being discovered.
The Kentucky Derby, held the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs, is the longest continuously held horse race in America (since 1875).
Both Abraham Lincoln (Union president) and Jefferson Davis (Confederate president) were born in Kentucky, about 100 miles and one year apart.
Fort Knox holds approximately 4,580 tons of gold bullion — about half of the U.S. Treasury's stored gold.
Data & Statistics
Demographics
- Population
- 4,502,935
- Median income
- $60,183
- Median age
- 39.1
- Median home value
- $177,000
- Below poverty line
- 704,758
- Bachelor's degree+
- 478,134
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022)
Agriculture
- Total farms
- 69,425
- Cropland
- 6,422,613 acres
- Market value
- $8,006M
Source: USDA NASS, Census of Agriculture (2022)
Public Health
- Obesity rate
- 37.7%
- Diabetes rate
- 14.8%
- Smoking rate
- 17.4%
- High blood pressure
- N/A
- Uninsured
- N/A
Source: CDC BRFSS Prevalence Data (2023, 2022 fallback)
National Parks & Sites
- National parks
- 1
- Total NPS sites
- 9
- Sites
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Camp Nelson National Monument, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Fort Donelson National Battlefield, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, Mammoth Cave National Park, Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail
Source: National Park Service API
Climate
- Avg temperature
- 55.8°F
- Avg high
- 67.2°F
- Avg low
- 44.9°F
- Annual precipitation
- 48.2 in
- Annual snowfall
- 8.7 in
Source: NOAA Climate Normals (2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Kentucky?▾
Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky. It is one of the smallest state capitals in the U.S. and is known for its bourbon distilleries and the scenic Kentucky River gorge.
Why is Kentucky called the Bluegrass State?▾
Kentucky is called the Bluegrass State because of the bluegrass (Poa pratensis) that grows abundantly in the region's limestone-rich soil. In spring, the grass produces bluish-purple seed heads that give pastures a bluish tint. The Bluegrass region around Lexington is the heart of horse country.
What is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?▾
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a tourism route connecting major bourbon distilleries across the state, including Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, and Buffalo Trace. The trail attracts over 2 million visitors annually.
How long is Mammoth Cave?▾
Mammoth Cave has over 420 miles of surveyed passages, making it by far the world's longest known cave system. The second-longest cave (Sistema Sac Actun in Mexico) has about 230 miles. New passages in Mammoth Cave are still being discovered by explorers.
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau · USDA NASS · CDC BRFSS · National Park Service · NOAA CDO
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. This product uses the NASS API but is not endorsed or certified by NASS.
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