Louisville is a city in Jefferson County, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is located at the Falls of the Ohio River in the northern part of the state Kentucky. Louisville is located at 38°13′31″N 85°44′30″W.
Louisville, Kentucky Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Louisville |
| County | Jefferson County |
| State | Kentucky |
| State Capital | Frankfort |
| US Region | South |
| Latitude | 38.2527° N |
| Longitude | 85.7585° W |
| Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
| Land Area | 263.5 sq mi |
| Water Area | 5.1 sq mi |
| Total Area | 268.6 sq mi |
| Population (2020 Census) | 633,045 |
| Population Density | Approximately 2,402 per sq mi |
| ZIP Codes | 40018, 40201-40299 |
| Area Code | 502 |
| Time Zone Standard | Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) |
| Time Zone Daylight | Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| FIPS Code | 21-48006 |
| Congressional District | Kentucky 3rd Congressional District |
Location and Surroundings
Louisville is located in Jefferson County in north-central Kentucky along the Ohio River. It lies between Cincinnati and Nashville near the Indiana border and serves as Kentucky's largest city. The city is famous for the Kentucky Derby, bourbon heritage, riverfront attractions, healthcare industry, and logistics operations.
Nearby Cities to Louisville, Kentucky
- Jeffersontown, Kentucky - 12 mi East
- Shively, Kentucky - 6 mi Southwest
- St. Matthews, Kentucky - 7 mi East
- New Albany, Indiana - 5 mi Northwest
- Jeffersonville, Indiana - 4 mi North
- Clarksville, Indiana - 5 mi North
- Middletown, Kentucky - 14 mi East
- Prospect, Kentucky - 15 mi Northeast
- Shelbyville, Kentucky - 30 mi East
- Elizabethtown, Kentucky - 45 mi South
Louisville, Kentucky Climate and Weather Overview
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg Rainfall (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43 | 27 | 3.4 |
| April | 68 | 47 | 4.4 |
| July | 88 | 69 | 4.3 |
| October | 71 | 49 | 3.0 |
| Annual | 68 | 49 | 45.0 |
| Climate Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Climate Classification (Köppen) | Humid Subtropical (Cfa) |
| Annual Rainfall | About 45 inches |
| Annual Sunshine Days | Approximately 195 days |
| Hurricane/Tornado Risk | Low hurricane risk, moderate tornado risk |
| Snowfall | Approximately 13 inches annually |
Driving Distances from Louisville, Kentucky
| City | State | Distance (mi) | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffersonville | Indiana | 4 | 10 min |
| New Albany | Indiana | 5 | 10 min |
| Clarksville | Indiana | 5 | 10 min |
| Shively | Kentucky | 6 | 15 min |
| St. Matthews | Kentucky | 7 | 15 min |
| Jeffersontown | Kentucky | 12 | 20 min |
| Middletown | Kentucky | 14 | 20 min |
| Prospect | Kentucky | 15 | 25 min |
| Shelbyville | Kentucky | 30 | 35 min |
| Elizabethtown | Kentucky | 45 | 50 min |
Transportation and Connectivity in Louisville, Kentucky
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport |
| IATA Code | SDF |
| Port | Port of Louisville |
| Major Highways | I-64, I-65, I-71, I-264, I-265 |
| Train/Amtrak Service | No direct Amtrak service |
| Local Bus/Transit Service | Transit Authority of River City (TARC) |
- Interstate 64 - Connects Louisville with St. Louis, Lexington, and Virginia.
- Interstate 65 - Major north-south corridor linking Chicago, Louisville, and Nashville.
- Interstate 71 - Connects Louisville with Cincinnati and Cleveland.
- Interstate 264 - Urban beltway serving central Louisville neighborhoods.
- Interstate 265 - Outer beltway providing access to suburban communities.
Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Louisville, Kentucky
| Landmark Name | Type |
|---|---|
| Churchill Downs | Horse Racing Venue |
| Kentucky Derby Museum | Museum |
| Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory | Museum |
| Muhammad Ali Center | Museum |
| Waterfront Park | Urban Park |
| Louisville Mega Cavern | Underground Attraction |
| Louisville Zoo | Zoo |
| Kentucky Science Center | Science Museum |
| Frazier History Museum | Museum |
| Belle of Louisville | Historic Riverboat |
Waterbodies in Louisville, Kentucky
Ohio River, Beargrass Creek, Floyds Fork, Harrods Creek, Pond Creek, Cedar Creek, Taylorsville Lake, McNeely Lake, Long Run Creek, Chenoweth Run
Golf Courses in Louisville, Kentucky
Valhalla Golf Club, Seneca Golf Course, Cherokee Golf Course, Shawnee Golf Course, Long Run Golf Course, Nevel Meade Golf Course, Oxmoor Country Club, Hurstbourne Country Club, Persimmon Ridge Golf Club, Quail Chase Golf Club
Economy and Major Employers in Louisville, Kentucky
| Sector | Major Employer or Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics | UPS Worldport | One of the world's largest package-sorting hubs. |
| Healthcare | Norton Healthcare | Major healthcare provider and employer. |
| Healthcare | Baptist Health Louisville | Leading regional medical center. |
| Manufacturing | Ford Motor Company | Major automotive manufacturing presence. |
| Bourbon Industry | Distilleries and Tourism | Important contributor to the local economy. |
| Education | University of Louisville | Supports research and workforce development. |
| Finance | Banking and Financial Services | Important regional business sector. |
| Government | Louisville Metro Government | Significant public-sector employer. |
Colleges and Universities in Louisville, Kentucky
| Institution Name | Type | Level | Notable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Louisville | Public | University | Research, medicine, and engineering programs |
| Bellarmine University | Private | University | Liberal arts and healthcare education |
| Sullivan University | Private | University | Career-focused academic programs |
| Spalding University | Private | University | Nursing, education, and social sciences |
| Jefferson Community and Technical College | Public | Community College | Workforce training and transfer education |
| Indiana University Southeast | Public | University | Regional public university across the river |
Louisville, Kentucky - Key Historical Facts
- Louisville was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark and named in honor of King Louis XVI of France.
- The city's location at the Falls of the Ohio made it an important river transportation center during the nineteenth century.
- Louisville became a major shipping and manufacturing hub as steamboat traffic expanded along the Ohio River.
- Churchill Downs opened in 1875 and became home to the Kentucky Derby, one of the world's most famous horse races.
- The city played an important role in Kentucky's bourbon industry and industrial development.
- Today, Louisville is Kentucky's largest city and a major center for logistics, healthcare, education, and tourism.
Sources
- Official Louisville Metro Government Website
- Jefferson County Official Website
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- National Weather Service
More Kentucky Maps & Info
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