States Bordering Kentucky: There Are Six, Not Seven

States Bordering Kentucky: There Are Six, Not Seven

Kentucky shares borders with six states:

1. Illinois (northwest, across the Ohio River)
2. Indiana (north, across the Ohio River)
3. Ohio (northeast, across the Ohio River)
4. West Virginia (east, Tug Fork / Big Sandy River)
5. Virginia (southeast, mountainous)
6. Tennessee (south, 36°30′ parallel)
7. Missouri (west, across the Mississippi River)

Common Confusion

Some counts mistakenly include Missouri as a seventh, but the list above already includes it. The Ohio River forms the entire northern border; the Mississippi forms the western border with Missouri (only a short stretch).

Fun Fact

Kentucky’s northern and western borders are almost entirely rivers—making it one of the most “river-bordered” states.