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 All Map Tools 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)
- Lowest point
- 257 ft
- Mississippi River
Map of Kentucky’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
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).
- Black Mountain 4,145 ft
- Lexington 968 ft
- Frankfort 504 ft
- 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.
| 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
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