KENTUCKY

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Frankfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Lexington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Louisville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

The State in Brief

Nickname: Bluegrass State

Motto: United we stand, divided we fall

Flower: Goldenrod

Bird: Cardinal

Area: 39,728 square miles (2000, U.S. rank: 37th)

Elevation: Ranges from 257 feet to 4,145 feet above sea level

Climate: Temperate, with plentiful rainfall; occasional winter temperature extremes in the mountains

Admitted to Union: June 1, 1792

Capital: Frankfort

Head Official: Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) (until 2007)

Population

1980: 3,661,000

1990: 3,685,296

2000: 4,041,769

2004 estimate: 4,145,922

Percent change, 1990–2000: 9.7%

U.S. rank in 2004: 26th

Percent of residents born in state: 73.7% (2000)

Density: 101.7 people per square mile (2000)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 118,799

Racial and Ethnic Characteristics (2000)

White: 3,640,889

Black or African American: 295,994

American Indian and Alaska Native: 8,616

Asian: 29,744

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 1,460

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 59,939

Other: 22,623

Age Characteristics (2000)

Population under 5 years old: 265,901

Population 5 to 19 years old: 847,743

Percent of population 65 years and over: 12.5%

Median age: 35.9 years

Vital Statistics

Total number of births (2003): 54,954

Total number of deaths (2003): 39,927 (infant deaths, 341)

AIDS cases reported through 2003: 2,359

Economy

Major industries: Food products, agriculture, coal mining, construction, manufacturing

Unemployment rate: 4.2% (December 2004)

Per capita income: $26,252 (2003; U.S. rank: 41st)

Median household income: $38,161 (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Percentage of persons below poverty level: 13.7% (3-year average, 2001-2003)

Income tax rate: ranges from 2.0% to 6.0%

Sales tax rate: 6.0% (food, utilities, and prescription drugs are exempt)