23 Kentucky Facts You Didn’t Know About

What state is called Kentucky in the U.S.? What Kentucky facts do you need to know? Kentucky is not as popular as the prestigious New York, Washington, or California yet it contributes significantly to the U.S. economy in tourism, horse racing industry, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, and logistics.

Do you know that tourism is the 3rd largest industry in Kentucky? Trips to the state reached 70.5 million, generating $808 million in state and local taxes in 2021.  Below are 23 Kentucky facts you probably didn’t know existed.

1. Kentucky is located in the East-South-central region of the United States.
2. Kentucky is bordered by Indiana and Ohio in the north, where the Ohio River creates a wiggly boundary. It has West Virginia and Virginia to the east, Tennessee to the south, and Missouri and Illinois to the west.
3. It has 13 cities with over 4 million population in all.
4.  Kentucky Facts for business people is a friendly business environment for entrepreneurs looking to start their own ventures in the state. The state encourages innovation and entrepreneurship with useful aids such as mentorship programs, favorable business laws, and access to grants and loans.
5. Citizens enjoy a high quality of life with affordable costs of living and an active outdoor lifestyle
6. Kentucky is the 26th most populous state among the 50 states in the US.
7. 95% of the world’s Bourbon whiskey, a famous American spirit is produced and distributed in the state.
8. The state is nicknamed Bluegrass State due to the bluegrass found in many of its pastures due to the rich soil it has for farming.
9. The renowned Mammoth Cave National Park is located in Kentucky, it features the world’s longest cave that stretches over 350 miles.
10. The capital of Kentucky is Frankfort, a beautiful city with many outdoor recreational attractions. It became the state capital of Kentucky in 1792
11. The largest city is Louisville, known for its vibrant arts scene, historical sites, and cultural festivals. It is also home to the renowned Kentucky Derby horse race.
12. Kentucky’s cultural contributions significantly have an impact on American music, arts, and traditions such as its bluegrass music, and traditional festivals.
13. The State has the mountain regions, a part of the Appalachian Mountain chain to the farthest east including the Big Black Mountain.
14. Kentucky is one of the country’s top three producers of hardwood as the state is almost half covered in forests.
15. One of its, natural coalfields is the Western Coalfield Region, a hilly area surrounded by the Pennyroyal, overlying 4,680 square miles of coal making Kentucky the third-largest coal producer in the United States.
16. The Bluegrass State’s bird is actually red and the famous bluegrass is actually green.
17. Kentucky hosts one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the world called The Kentucky Derby, held annually on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
18. World-famous people such as boxer Muhammad Ali, Mildred and Patty Hill, and George Clo, including Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, were born in Kentucky.
19. Education in the state is highly recognized and has several prestigious universities and colleges, including the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.
20. Farming is one of the renowned jobs of the Kentuckians with farm size averaging 164 acres. The citizens focus on agricultural products including tobacco, corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, barley, sorghum, poultry, and dairy.
21. Kentucky has rich wildlife that includes mammals like red foxes, minks, black bears, bobcats, and birds such as the bald eagle, mountain bluebird, northern cardinal (the state bird), and including reptiles and Amphibians.
22. Kentucky is the leading beef cattle state east of the Mississippi River and is eighth in the nation overall.
23. The cultural contributions is also part of Kentucky facts worth noting. The state’s culture and tradition have a significant impact on American music, arts, and traditions.

Kentuckians are welcoming and friendly people. If you get the opportunity to visit, you may likely love to revisit it as the state is both beautiful and captivating.