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Population4,606,864 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Discover • Explore • Connect
Kentucky: Explore the Bluegrass State
KentuckyFrom Bluegrass horse country and river cities to Appalachian mountains, caves, forests, and small-town communities, Kentucky offers a wide range of places to live, work, visit, and explore. Use My Local Guide to find county guides, practical state resources, outdoor destinations, and community information across the Commonwealth.
My Local Guide is an independent local guide and is not an official Commonwealth of Kentucky website.
Kentucky at a Glance
Population4,606,864 (July 1, 2025 estimate).webp){kind=icon}
CapitalFrankfort.webp){kind=icon}
Largest CityLouisville.webp){kind=icon}
Counties120 counties.webp){kind=icon}
Land Area39,485.8 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Water Area920.1 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Statehood1792.webp){kind=icon}
Highest PeakBlack Mountain — about 4,140 ft (official sources cite 4,139–4,145 ft)
Find Your County
Explore Kentucky County Guides
Kentucky has 120 counties. Use the county picker to open available My Local Guide county pages and discover local resources, places, and community information. County guides are enabled only when a verified page link is available.
County Guides
Use the Kentucky county map to locate communities across the Commonwealth, then open an available county guide for local information.
Featured Counties
Boone CountyMineral springs, river travel, and agricultural land helped shape the county long before its modern airport and interstate corridors. Big Bone Lick is especially…
Mason CountyMaysville developed as a river landing and a gateway into Kentucky, and its buildings still reflect that commercial importance. Washington, now part of Maysville,…
Mercer CountyHarrodsburg traces its settlement history to James Harrod and the community established in 1774. Old Fort Harrod interprets that early period through a reconstructed…
Shelby CountyShelbyville’s historic buildings and courthouse streets reflect the county’s development as an agricultural and market center. Horse farms, particularly the Saddlebred tradition, became an…
Explore Kentucky County Guides
Boone CountyMineral springs, river travel, and agricultural land helped shape the county long before its modern airport and interstate corridors. Big Bone Lick is especially…
Mason CountyMaysville developed as a river landing and a gateway into Kentucky, and its buildings still reflect that commercial importance. Washington, now part of Maysville,…Mercer CountyHarrodsburg traces its settlement history to James Harrod and the community established in 1774. Old Fort Harrod interprets that early period through a reconstructed…Shelby CountyShelbyville’s historic buildings and courthouse streets reflect the county’s development as an agricultural and market center. Horse farms, particularly the Saddlebred tradition, became an…
Our Commonwealth
Kentucky
Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792. Its geography connects the Bluegrass region, Appalachian communities, major rivers, cave country, forests, farms, and growing cities. Today, Kentucky’s 120 counties reflect distinct local histories and landscapes while sharing a statewide network of public services and resources.
Kentucky
15th State
Kentucky joined the Union on June 1, 1792.
120 Counties
The Commonwealth is organized into 120 counties, each with its own communities and local character.
Outdoor Kentucky
State parks, forests, rivers, caves, and trails create year-round opportunities to explore Kentucky outdoors.
Local Connections
County guides and verified resource links help residents, visitors, families, and businesses find practical information.
Kentucky Dispatch
Kentucky Dispatch
News and useful updates from across the Commonwealth.
WNKY 40
Allen County father, stepmother charged with abuse of 6-year-old child
ALLEN COUNTY, Ky. – A father and stepmother in Allen County are accused of “torture” of a child,…
Read the full storyStatewide CoveragePresented by
Around Kentucky
Stories from every corner of Kentucky.
Allen County father, stepmother charged with abuse of 6-year-old child
ALLEN COUNTY, Ky. – A father and stepmother in Allen County are accused of “torture” of a child,…
Oct 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Franklin County deputies arrest man in alleged scam targeting resident for $235K
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – A man has been arrested after Franklin County detectives say…
Sep 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Metro Council considering changes to massage parlor ordinance
Metro Council is considering changes to the city's massage parlor ordinance.
Oct 3, 2026 • 2 min readKentucky Video
See Kentucky in Motion
Stories, places, and perspectives from around the Commonwealth.
State Symbols
Nickname State Motto State Bird State Flower State Tree State Animal
Symbols of Kentucky
Learn the official symbols and traditions associated with Kentucky.
The Bluegrass State
Kentucky’s nickname comes from bluegrass, a common grass whose spring seed heads can make fields appear blue from a distance.
United we stand, divided we fall
The motto appears on Kentucky’s state seal and has been associated with the Commonwealth since its early statehood.
Northern cardinal (Kentucky cardinal)
Kentucky law names the native redbird, commonly known as the Kentucky cardinal, as the official state bird.
Goldenrod
Kentucky law designates goldenrod as the official state flower.
Tulip poplar
Kentucky law designates the tulip poplar as the state tree.
Gray squirrel — state wild animal game species
Kentucky law designates the gray squirrel as the Commonwealth’s state wild animal game species.
Kentucky Identity
Kentucky’s identity spans Bluegrass horse country, Appalachian landscapes, river communities, caves, forests, farms, music, foodways, and local traditions shaped across 120 counties.
Kentucky Gallery
Kentucky
The Bluegrass StateExplore Kentucky places, landscapes, communities, and practical resources for residents and visitors.
Our State. Our Stories.★
State Resources
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Kentucky Resources and Services
Explore Kentucky places, landscapes, communities, and practical resources for residents and visitors.
Government
Start with Kentucky.gov Government for official agencies and offices, or use the Kentucky.gov Services directory for common state services. My Local Guide is independent and is not an official state website.
Schools
The Kentucky Department of Education school and district directory helps families locate public districts and schools. The state’s Open House portal provides additional school and district information.
Hospitals
Use the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services health care facility directories to find licensed facility information and related regulatory resources.
Public Safety
For immediate emergencies, call 911. For statewide law-enforcement information and public-safety resources, visit the Kentucky State Police. Court information is available from the Kentucky Court of Justice.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management provides statewide emergency-management information, and its Plan & Prepare resources can help households prepare before disasters.
State Parks
Browse the official Kentucky State Parks finder to locate parks, historic sites, recreation, lodging, and park-specific visitor information.
Trails
Use the Kentucky State Parks finder to locate parks with hiking and outdoor recreation. Check each destination’s official page before traveling for trail access, conditions, hours, and notices.
Utilities
The Kentucky Public Service Commission consumer page provides information for utility customers and links to regulated-utility resources.
Libraries
The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives maintains a Public Library Directory for finding local public libraries and library systems across Kentucky.
Courts
Visit the Kentucky Court of Justice for statewide court information. Its Legal Help section provides self-help resources and guidance for common court needs.
DMV
Drive.KY.gov is Kentucky’s official starting point for driver licensing, vehicle services, REAL ID information, and related transportation credentials.
Transportation
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet provides information about highways, transportation programs, road projects, traveler services, and state transportation agencies.
Postal Services
Use the official USPS Location Finder to search for post offices, collection boxes, services, and hours by ZIP code or location.
Veterans
The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs connects Kentucky veterans and families with state benefits, service officers, long-term care information, and other veteran resources.
Employment
The Kentucky Career Center offers job-search and employment assistance. State-government job openings are posted at careers.ky.gov.
Need a Starting Point?
Use these verified state and national resources to find public services, information, and next steps.
Kentucky FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky
Quick answers and official links for common questions about Kentucky counties, services, parks, veterans, jobs, and more.
Kentucky is widely associated with Bluegrass horse country, the Kentucky Derby, bourbon heritage, bluegrass music, Appalachian and river landscapes, and Mammoth Cave National Park. To plan an outdoor visit, start with the Kentucky State Parks finder or the National Park Service page for Mammoth Cave.
Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky. For official statewide agencies, offices, and public services, use Kentucky.gov Government.
Kentucky has 120 counties. Use the county picker on this page to open county guides that currently have a verified My Local Guide destination. For official historical information about the formation of all 120 counties, visit the Kentucky Secretary of State County Formations resource.
Use Kentucky.gov Services for official state-service links and Kentucky.gov Government for agencies and offices. My Local Guide is an independent local guide and is not part of Kentucky state government.
The Kentucky State Parks finder is a good starting point for official park information. For Mammoth Cave National Park, use the National Park Service for current visitor details and alerts.
Call 911 for an immediate emergency. For statewide preparedness and emergency-management information, use the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management and its Plan & Prepare guidance.
Use the official Kentucky State Parks finder to choose a destination. Open the individual park page before you travel to check current trail access, facilities, hours, and notices.
The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs is the state resource for veteran benefits, service officers, long-term care information, and assistance for veterans and families.
My Local Guide business participation is separate from Kentucky state government; use My Local Guide’s own published contact or advertising workflow when available. For official state business services, visit Kentucky.gov Business and the Kentucky Secretary of State business filing services.
The Kentucky Career Center provides employment and job-search assistance. For Commonwealth of Kentucky job openings, use careers.ky.gov.
Keep Exploring Kentucky
Local connections. Useful resources. Kentucky, county by county.
Discover county guides, local communities, public resources, and places worth knowing across the Commonwealth.
Local connections. Useful resources. Kentucky, county by county.