Kentucky Information and Facts

Official Website: http://www.kydirect.net/

Income

The population of Kentucky in 2002 was 4,089,822. Its rank was 26th in the nation. (The District of Columbia is included for ranking purposes.)

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 Kentucky had a per capita personal income of $25,494. This per capita personal income ranked 43rd in the United States and was 82 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected an increase of 2.2 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of Kentucky was $17,175 and ranked 42nd in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 4.0 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 Kentucky had a total personal income of $104,263,983. This total personal income ranked 27th in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of Kentucky was $64,670,587 and ranked 26th in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 2.7 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 4.9 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and total personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of Kentucky. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 64.5 percent of total personal income (compared with 65.7 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 16.7 percent (compared with 17.0 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 18.7 percent (compared with 17.3 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings increased 1.8 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 0.8 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 7.9 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 4.7 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 4.7 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 5.7 percent.

Employment Earnings

Earnings of persons employed in Kentucky increased from $75,514,948 in 2001 to $77,174,819 in 2002, an increase of 2.2 percent. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.5 percent. The average annual growth rate from the 1992 estimate of $48,314,805 to the 2002 estimate was 4.8 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.3 percent.

Area - Kentucky is the 37th largest state in the Union, with an area of 104,664 sq km (40,411 sq mi), including 1759 sq km (679 sq mi) of inland water. The state has a maximum extent, from east to west, of 679 km (422 mi) and a maximum dimension north to south of 293 km (182 mi). Because the state's borders are in part formed by three rivers which often adjust their course, the state's boundaries are somewhat indeterminate. The approximate mean elevation is 230 m (750 ft).

Climate - The climate of Kentucky is characterized by warm or hot summers and cool winters. Throughout the year, temperatures do not vary greatly from place to place, although they are generally slightly lower in the Appalachian Plateaus region than elsewhere in the state. Average July temperatures are usually from 24° to 27° C (76° to 80° F) in the central and western areas and from 23° to 24° C (74° to 76° F) in the east. January averages range from below 1° C (34° F) in the northern Bluegrass region to more than 3° C (38° F) in parts of the south. Temperatures below freezing are common throughout the state during winter, although extended periods of very cold weather do not occur every year. Precipitation is, for the most part, dependable and well distributed throughout the year. Precipitation ranges from less than 1070 mm (42 in) in the northern Bluegrass region to more than 1270 mm (50 in) in the extreme south.

State Flag

State Flower - Goldenrod

State Capitol - Frankfort
The present constitution of Kentucky was adopted in 1891. It is the state's fourth constitution, succeeding documents adopted in 1792, 1800, and 1850. To become law, proposed amendments to the constitution must be approved by at least three-fifths of the elected membership of each house of the state legislature and then must be approved by a popular majority in a statewide election. The constitution may also be revised by constitutional convention.

Famous People

Abraham Lincoln U.S. president, Hodgenville
Alben W. Barkley vice president, Graves Cty
Allen Tate poet and critic, Winchester
Bill Monroe songwriter, Rosine
Brian Littrell singer, Lexington
Casey Jones locomotive engineer, Cayce
Champ Clark politician, Anderson Cty
Crystal Gayle singer, Paintsville
David W. Griffith film producer, Oldham Cty
Diane Sawyer broadcast journalist, Glasgow
Frederick M. Vinson jurist, Lousia
Hunter Thompson writer, Louisville
Irene Dunne actress, Louisville
Irvin S. Cobb humorist, Paducah
Jefferson Davis president of the Confederacy, Fairview
John Mason Brown critic, Louisville
Kevin Richardson singer, Lexington
Kit Carson scout
Loretta Lynn singer, Butchers Hollow
Louis D. Brandeis jurist, Louisville
Muhammad Ali boxer, Louisville
Patricia Neal actress, Packard
Robert Penn Warren author, Guthrie
Rosemary Clooney singer, Maysville