Kentucky
“The Bluegrass State”
What Makes Kentucky Beautiful
Kentucky captivates with its rolling bluegrass pastures where thoroughbreds graze behind white plank fences, the ancient grandeur of Mammoth Cave's endless underground passages, and the rugged sandstone arches of Red River Gorge. The Cumberland Gap and Daniel Boone National Forest offer Appalachian wilderness at its finest.
Key Metrics
4.5M
Population
$245.8B
GDP
+4.8%
GDP Growth (5yr)
$57.6K
Median Income
9.5%
Tax Burden
History
Daniel Boone blazes the Wilderness Road through Cumberland Gap
Admitted as the 15th state, first west of the Appalachians
First Kentucky Derby held at Churchill Downs in Louisville
Mammoth Cave established as a national park
Great Ohio River Flood devastates Louisville and river towns
Top Cities
Louisville
633K
Largest city; Kentucky Derby; bourbon trail hub
Lexington
323K
Horse Capital of the World; University of Kentucky
Bowling Green
80K
Corvette assembly plant; Western Kentucky University
Owensboro
60K
Bluegrass music heritage; BBQ capital of Kentucky
Frankfort
28K
State capital; bourbon distillery row
Economy & Industry
Core Industries
Natural Resources
Energy Portfolio
Budget & Fiscal Health
$36.8B
State Budget
$35.5B
State Revenue
$-1.3B
Fiscal Balance
Social Indicators
15.5%
Poverty Rate
25.8%
College Degree
5.1%
Uninsured
236/100K
Crime Rate
Where is Kentucky Headed?
GDP Projections ($B)
| Scenario | 1yr | 5yr | 10yr | 25yr | 50yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | $249B | $262B | $278B | $335B | $457B |
| Baseline | $248B | $258B | $270B | $312B | $396B |
| Pessimistic | $247B | $253B | $260B | $284B | $328B |
Political Landscape
R+16