The largest city in Kentucky is Louisville, which is also the county seat for Jefferson County. In 2009, the Louisville population was more than 566,000. Louisville experienced one of the fastest population growth rates from 2000 to 2009 at 120 percent. The city was founded in 1778 and named after King Louis XVI of France. Louisville area's attractions include the Kentucky Derby and Louisville Slugger Museum.
The population of Lexington, Kentucky's second-largest city, is more than 295,000. Lexington is the county seat of Fayette County. The greater Lexington-Fayette population grew by 13.5 percent since the U.S. Census in 2000, according to Yahoo News. This city is home to the main campus of the University of Kentucky. Lexington also features the Aviation Museum of Kentucky and Rupp Arena, one of the largest basketball arenas in the United States.
Bowling Green is the county seat of Warren County, located in southern Kentucky, and has a population of more than 56,000 residents. Bowling Green is home to the National Corvette Museum, Fort Webb and Riverview at Hobson Grave historic home. This city is also home to Kentucky's second-largest university, Western Kentucky University.
With a population of approximately 53,000, Owensboro is the fourth-largest city in Kentucky. This city is the county seat of Daviess County, which is in the northwestern region of the state. According to U.S. News, Owensboro is one of the best places in the United State for retirement because of its low cost of living and crime rate. Owensboro is home to the International Bluegrass Music Museum, Western Kentucky Botanical Garden and the Natcher Bridge.
Covington is one of the largest suburbs in the greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky area at 40,640 residents, as of 2010. Cincinnati is across the Ohio River from Covington. This city's population makes it the fifth-largest municipality in Kentucky. Covington's population dropped 6 percent from 2000 to 2010. Covington features the Roebling Suspension Bridge, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and the boyhood home of Daniel Carter Beard, a co-founder of the Boy Scouts of America organization.
