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Politics & World • U.S. State

Kentucky

Kentucky is a landlocked state in the Southeastern United States, officially known as the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kentucky is a landlocked state in the Southeastern United States, officially known as the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Its capital is Frankfort and its largest city is Louisville. Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792, after formerly being part of Virginia.

Geography

Kentucky is located in the east south-central part of the United States and is bordered by seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri. Its northern boundary is defined largely by the Ohio River.

History

The area that became Kentucky was originally part of Virginia. It was admitted to the Union in 1792 as the 15th state.

Government and administration

Kentucky is one of four U.S. states that use the title “commonwealth” in their official name. Its state capital is Frankfort, and it has 120 counties.

Population and major cities

Kentucky’s population is a little under 4.6 million, making it one of the more populous U.S. states. Louisville is the largest city, followed by other major urban centers such as Lexington.

Key facts

  • Kentucky is a landlocked state in the Southeastern United States.
  • It borders seven states, with the Ohio River forming much of its northern border.
  • Kentucky became the 15th U.S. state on June 1, 1792.
  • The state’s capital is Frankfort; Louisville is its most populous city.
  • As of 2024, Kentucky’s population was estimated at about 4.6 million.
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Canadian context

Kentucky is relevant to Canadian readers through cross-border travel, trade, and North American geography. It is also a well-known U.S. state for horse racing, bourbon, and logistics, topics that often appear in Canadian media and tourism coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kentucky?
Kentucky is a U.S. state in the Southeastern United States.
Why is Kentucky called a commonwealth?
Its official name is the Commonwealth of Kentucky, one of four U.S. states that use that designation.
When did Kentucky become a state?
Kentucky entered the Union on June 1, 1792, as the 15th state.
What is Kentucky’s capital?
Frankfort is Kentucky’s capital.
What is Kentucky’s largest city?
Louisville is Kentucky’s most populous city.
How many counties does Kentucky have?
Kentucky has 120 counties.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky
    Supports: State status, official name, location, borders, capital, largest city, population estimate.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Kentucky
    Supports: Area and population estimate.
  3. National Geographic Kids — https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/states/article/kentucky
    Supports: Statehood history and borders.
  4. The Fact File — https://thefactfile.org/kentucky-facts/
    Supports: 120 counties, statehood date, capital, abbreviation.
  5. Infoplease — https://www.infoplease.com/us/states/kentucky
    Supports: Official name, statehood date, nickname, motto, counties, population, capital.
  6. 50states.com — https://www.50states.com/kentucky.htm
    Supports: Nickname, abbreviation, statehood date, origin of name.
  7. CountryReports — https://www.countryreports.org/country/united-states/states/kentucky
    Supports: Commonwealth designation, location, capital, largest city, first state west of Appalachians.