Moving to Kentucky

Kentucky, otherwise known as ‘The Bluegrass State’, is a wonderful state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to KY, we have composed a detailed list of some important facts and useful information to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the East South Central Region of the country, Kentucky is bordered by Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. With a total land area of over 40,409.02 Square Miles, it comes in as the 13th smallest state.

Population

Currently, the population of KY is 4,436,974 making it the 24th least populated state in the union and the 24th most densely populated. The state capital, Frankfort, has a population of 27741. which is the 4th smallest capital in the country.

Notable Kentuckians

Kentucky is home to numerous famous and some infamous citizens such as, Muhammad Ali a memorable Boxer is from Louisville and Tyson Gay a notable Runner is from Lexington. Others include people like Abraham Lincoln a President and Wynonna Judd a singer.

Climate

Kentucky’s central location in the eastern half of the United States, yet some distance from ocean bodies of water, results in a climate that is characterized by moderately large variations in temperature and abundant precipitation. Summers vary from warm to hot and humid, while winters are cool with occasional episodes of very cold Arctic air. Average daily high temperatures for July range from 86°F in the east to 90°F in the west, while average daily high temperatures for January range from 38°F in the north to 44°F in the south. Temperatures fall below 0°F for about three days per year in the north and one day in the south. Kentucky’s elevation ranges from 400 feet above sea level along the Mississippi River in the west to more than 4,100 feet at the peak of Black Mountain in the southeast, although most of the state is below 1,000 feet above sea level. Average annual precipitation ranges from about 42 inches in the north to around 52 inches in the southern portion of the state. The wettest year on record is 2011 with 64 inches of precipitation while the driest year was 1930 with 29 inches.

National Parks

Kentucky is home to 1 beautiful national park.

• Mammoth Cave

  With more than 400 miles (640km) of passageways explored, Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave system. Subterranean wildlife includes eight bat species, Kentucky cave shrimp, Northern cavefish, and cave salamanders. Above ground, the park provides recreation on the Green River, 70 miles of hiking trails, and plenty of sinkholes and springs.

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important consideration when moving to a new state. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its resident, it drastically affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Kentucky’s violent crime rate is 21 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 224per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.

Kentucky ranks #44 in the US for violent crime and #32 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Kentucky’s educational system.

Overall Grade: C

Kentucky spends on average $10560.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). KY ranks #28 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While KY ranks #28 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 88.00%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Kentucky ranks #40 with over 40.30% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Kentucky is 8.20% which ranks 41st favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. KY’s rate is $20.40 which ranks 6th in the US.

Currently, KY sales tax is $19.63 for which it comes in as 16th compared to other states.

Sports

Unfortunately Kentucky does’nt have any major league teams.

Utility Companies

Before you move to Kentucky, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in KY.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Kentucky, visit their website at http://kentucky.gov/