Kentucky, officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by seven states: Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north, West Virginia to the northeast, Virginia to the east, Tennessee to the south, and Missouri to the west. Kentucky's capital is Frankfort, and its largest city is Louisville. As of 2024, the state's population was approximately 4.6 million. Kentucky is known as the "Bluegrass State" due to the prevalence of Kentucky bluegrass, a species of grass that supports the state's thoroughbred horse industry. The state is also known for its contributions to American whiskey (bourbon) and horse racing.
Kentucky boasts diverse landscapes, including part of the Appalachian Mountains in the east and the Upland South region. Key attractions include Mammoth Cave National Park, the world's longest known cave system, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Other notable sites are the Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge, and the Daniel Boone National Forest. Recently, James Composites LLC announced a $5.8 million investment to establish a manufacturing facility in Marshall County, creating 25 jobs. Additionally, in June 2026, ground will break for a new artificial intelligence data center in Paducah. Louisville is also seeing new investment with the Dixie Highway Restaurant Incentive Fund, bringing new dining options to the South End.
