Living in Kentucky

#35 in population growth

Should you move to Kentucky?

Kentucky, the Bluegrass State, is a place of Southern charm, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant industries. Famous for its horse racing and bourbon distilleries, Kentucky offers a unique blend of cultural richness and economic opportunity.

Kentucky’s economy is diverse, with strong sectors in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture. Louisville, the largest city, is a major hub for the shipping and cargo industry, while Lexington, the “Horse Capital of the World,” is renowned for its horse breeding and racing.

Living in Kentucky presents a medley of experiences. Cities like Louisville and Lexington offer cultural richness with music festivals, art exhibits, and a burgeoning food scene. Beyond the cities, the state is blessed with natural beauty, from the rolling bluegrass hills to the stunning Mammoth Cave National Park. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and boating.

Kentucky values education, with reputable universities such as the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville.

If you’re looking for a state that offers a unique cultural heritage, a diverse economy, natural beauty, and a commitment to education, Kentucky could be your ideal choice. Just remember to brush up on your horse racing knowledge before the famous Kentucky Derby!

#26 in population

Population

4,512,310

National Avg 6,652,315

#28 in population

Population Per Square Mile

114

National Avg 206.5 persons/square mile

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How Does Kentucky Score?

A
Home Affordability
B
Cost of Living
D
Diversity

LEARN ABOUT
RANKINGS & DATA

Metropolitans

Living in Kentucky

Climate

How Does Kentucky Compare?

#22
in Sunny Days
#15
in Annual Rainfall
#21
in Daytime Humidity

Healthcare

#40

How Does Kentucky Compare?

#40
in Healthcare
#46
in Available Beds
#31
in Doctors Per Resident

0

Children's Hospitals

4

VA Medical Centers

19

VA Clinics

Kentucky Marijuana Laws

Cost of Living

#22

How Does Kentucky Compare?

#22
in Cost of Living
#31
in Minimum Hourly Wage
#7
in Living Wage

Kentucky State Taxes

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Essential New Mover Steps

What costs and challenges will you face when relocating to Kentucky? Start your journey by preparing with these key steps.

eMortgage connects you with up to 5 competing mortgage lenders through a quick, streamlined process.

Renter tested. Landlord approved. Starting from $5/mo.

Moving costs can add up quickly. Start budgeting by tackling one of your largest costs first by requesting a free online quote from 1-800-Pack-Rat.

Education in Kentucky

#40

Kentucky School Districts

8th Grade Proficiency (2022)

Ranked #39 in Mathematics

Basic Proficiency

57%

Proficient or Above

21%

Ranked #32 in Reading

Basic Proficiency

68%

Proficient or Above

29%

Education Attainment

High School Degree
87.7%
Bachelors Degree
25.7%

Raising a Family?

See if any of these family-friendly places are a fit for yours.

Places (Cities & Towns)

Get to Know Kentucky

State Capital

Frankfort

Area Codes

270, 364, 502, 606, 859

Time Zone

Eastern Time Zone, Central Time Zone

Number of Counties

120

Land Area (square miles)

39,492

Motto

United we stand, divided we fall

State Bird

Cardinal

Housing

#7
#7 in home affordability

Median Home Value

$165,900

National $440,300

#4 in rent affordability

Median Rent

$826

National $1,702

Average Homeownership cost

$401

Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, HOA (no mortgage)

Total Households

1,748,475

Persons Per Household

2.5

Rent vs Own

Own 67.8%
Rent 32.2%

Economy

#44 in household income

Median Household Income

55,454

National $70,784

#43 in labor participation
% in Labor Force
59.1%
Poverty Rate
16.5%

Industries by Revenue

in $1,000s

Health & Social Assistance Revenue

$32,369,493

Accomodations & Food Revenue

$9,191,213

Transportation & Warehousing Revenue

$14,378,607

Per Capita Retail Sales

14,430

Counties

Diversity

#44
White alone
86.9%
Black or African American alone
8.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone
0.3%
Asian alone
1.8%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone
0.1%
Two or More Races
2.3%
Hispanic or Latino
4.3%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino
83.2%

Foreign Born Persons

4%

Veterans

250427

Persons Under 5 years
5.8%
Persons Under 18 years
22.3%
Persons 65 years and over
17.6%

Is Diversity essential?

Find culture and diversity in the Most Diverse Places in the US.

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