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Kentucky: elevation, cities and highest point

Kentucky has 4,606,864 people (2025) and 120 counties. Its highest point is Black Mountain, at 4,145 ft, and its lowest, the Mississippi River, at 257 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 100,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.

By the Mapsfera Team

Population (2025)
4,606,864
The 26th most populous of the 50 states
Land area
39,486 sq mi
The 36th largest state
Counties
120
According to the Census (2025)
Capital
Frankfort
At 504 ft · the 26th highest state capital
Highest point
4,145 ft
Black Mountain · the 27th highest of the 50 state high points
Lowest point
257 ft
Mississippi River

Map of Kentucky’s counties

Nelson Wayne Owen Larue Whitley Breathitt Bell Leslie Carter Muhlenberg Fayette Magoffin Washington Owsley Grayson Anderson Woodford Johnson Bullitt Butler Knott Hardin Hopkins Elliott Caldwell Harlan Ohio Bourbon Nicholas Rowan Pike McCreary Henderson Fleming Crittenden Knox Marion Harrison Breckinridge Morgan Garrard Menifee Laurel Ballard Mercer Greenup Allen Estill Lawrence Lewis Daviess Livingston Jefferson Carroll Casey Hancock Shelby Scott Christian Franklin Russell Montgomery Spencer Todd Marshall Clinton Warren Gallatin Clay Pulaski Graves Boone Lincoln Boyle Campbell McCracken Union Oldham Bath Madison Simpson Boyd Henry Green Cumberland Robertson Fulton McLean Pendleton Monroe Metcalfe Adair Hickman Martin Kenton Grant Trigg Meade Barren Carlisle Bracken Calloway Logan Edmonson Jessamine Lyon Webster Mason Clark Lee Trimble Wolfe Perry Hart Taylor Letcher Floyd Powell Rockcastle Jackson Lexington · 968 ft Frankfort · 504 ft Louisville · 461 ft Black Mountain · 4,145 ft
  • Capital’s county
  • County with a city page
  • City, by elevation
  • Highest point
Printable blank map

Elevation

The capital, Frankfort, sits at 504 ft (154 m): the 26th highest of the 50 state capitals. Kentucky’s highest point, Black Mountain, is 140 mi away in a straight line and 3,641 ft higher.

Between its highest point (4,145 ft) and its lowest (257 ft) there’s 3,888 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Kentucky’s is the 27th highest.

Kentucky has 3 cities with a page. The highest is Lexington, at 968 ft, and the lowest is Louisville, at 461 ft: 507 ft apart.

Kentucky borders 7 states. Their highest points are Kuwohi, in Tennessee (6,643 ft), Mount Rogers, in Virginia (5,729 ft), Hoosier Hill, in Indiana (1,257 ft), Spruce Knob, in West Virginia (4,863 ft), Charles Mound, in Illinois (1,235 ft), Taum Sauk Mountain, in Missouri (1,772 ft), and Campbell Hill, in Ohio (1,550 ft): Kentucky’s is the 4th highest of the 8. Their capitals: Nashville (555 ft), Richmond (213 ft), Indianapolis (730 ft), Charleston (596 ft), Springfield (600 ft), Jefferson City (630 ft), and Columbus (780 ft).

  1. Black Mountain 4,145 ft
  2. Lexington 968 ft
  3. Frankfort 504 ft
  4. Louisville 461 ft

Population

Kentucky had 4,606,864 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 2.2% more than in April 2020 (4,506,287). Across 39,486 sq mi of land, that’s 117 people/sq mi.

Its most populous place is Louisville, with 641,962 people. The Census counts 554 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Kentucky.

The most populous places in Kentucky
Place Population Land area Elevation
Louisville 641,962 263 sq mi 461 ft
Lexington 329,751 284 sq mi 968 ft
Bowling Green 78,505 42.0 sq mi —
Owensboro 60,892 21.3 sq mi —
Covington 41,847 13.2 sq mi —
Georgetown 40,883 17.9 sq mi —
Richmond 40,663 22.3 sq mi —
Elizabethtown 35,448 28.3 sq mi —
Florence 34,018 11.2 sq mi —
Nicholasville 33,857 15.5 sq mi —

Neighboring states

Tools

Map of Franklin County A county on the map with all its cities and towns, ready to print. Blank map of Kentucky counties Blank, with names or to color in, on Letter or A4. US county map Population, income and area of every county on a color-coded map. What county am I in? Your county, city and ZIP code, from your location. US time zone map What time it is in each state and where the clocks change. Elevation of a point Look up any town in Kentucky and see its elevation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the highest point in Kentucky?

Black Mountain, at 4,145 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 27th highest of the 50 state high points.

What is the lowest point in Kentucky?

The Mississippi River, at 257 ft, according to the same USGS table.

What is the elevation of Frankfort, the capital?

504 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 26th highest state capital.

What is the highest city in Kentucky?

Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 100,000 people), Lexington, at 968 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.

How many counties does Kentucky have?

120, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.

Sources

  • Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
  • Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
  • City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
  • County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).

Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know