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Frankfort, KY

Frequently asked questions

Frankfort, KY

Frankfort is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kentucky and the seat of Franklin County. It is a home rule-class city. The population was 28,602 at the 2020 United States census. Located along the Kentucky River, Frankfort is the principal city of the Frankfort, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Franklin and Anderson counties. It is the 4th least populous state capital in the United States, and the 13th most populous city in Kentucky.

Before Frankfort was founded, the site was a ford across the Kentucky River, along one of the great buffalo trails used as highways in colonial America. English explorers first visited the area in the 1750s. The site received its name after an incident in 1780, when pioneer Stephen Frank was killed in a skirmish with Native Americans; the crossing was named "Frank's Ford" in his memory. In 1786, the Virginia legislature designated 100 acres as the town of Frankfort and, after Kentucky became a state in 1792, it was chosen as capital.

The city is located in the inner Bluegrass region of Kentucky. The Kentucky River flows through the city, making a turn as it passes through the center of town; the Downtown and South Frankfort districts are opposite one another on each side of the river. The suburban areas on either side of the river valley are known as East and West Frankfort. Frankfort has four distinct seasons; winter is normally cool with some snowfall, while summers are hot and humid.

Frankfort is located in the (inner) Bluegrass region of Central Kentucky. The city is bisected by the Kentucky River, which makes an S-turn as it passes through the center of town. The river valley widens at this point, which creates four distinct parts of town. The valley within the city limits contains Downtown and South Frankfort districts, which lie opposite one another on the river. A small neighborhood with its own distinct identity, Bellepoint, is located on the west bank of the river to the north of Benson Creek, opposite the river from the "downtown" district. The suburban areas on either side of the valley are respectively referred to as the "West Side" and "East Side" (or "West Frankfort" and "East Frankfort").

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²), of which 14.3 square miles (37.0 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) is water. Frankfort does not have a commercial airport and travelers fly into Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, the closest; Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport near Covington or Louisville International Airport in Louisville. Capital City Airport serves general and military aviation.

Frankfort focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Frankfort Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Elite Fitness, Engineered Community Fitness, and Fit-Time. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Frankfort, such as the Cove Spring Park and Capitol View Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

The top sites in Frankfort, KY are the Kentucky Historical Society, Liberty Hall Historic Site, and Kentucky Old State Capitol Building.

ZIP Code: 40601. Population: 28,602 (2020). Area code: 502. Elevation: 505 ft (154 m). Area: 14.6 square miles (37.8 km²).

FAQs

What is special about Frankfort, KY?

Frankfort is the birthplace of the famous Kentucky Bourbon Ball, introduced by Rebecca Gooch and Ruth Hanly Booe.   This story begins in 1919, when two substitute teachers decided to venture into business, something unheard of for women back in that time.  Learn more about their story, and get a taste of their success, when you visit Rebecca Ruth Candy Tours and Museum in Frankfort, KY.

Is Frankfort, KY a nice place to live?

Living in Frankfort offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. In Frankfort, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Frankfort and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Frankfort are above average.

Why is it called Frankfort, KY?

The site that was to become Frankfort was one of several fords on the Kentucky River and was on one of the great buffalo trails that served settlers as early highways. The first English explorers began visiting what is now the Frankfort area in the early 1750s; and evidently, the name Frankfort is a shortening of "Frank's Ford," after Stephen Frank, a settler who was killed at or near the site in an Indian skirmish in 1780. In 1786, the Virginia legislature (for of course Kentucky was then still a part of Virginia at that time) designated 100 acres of land owned by General James Wilkinson as the town of Frankfort.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Frankfort

Frankfort Parks and Recreation Department

Elite Fitness

Engineered Community Fitness 

Fit-Time

Cove Spring Park 

Capitol View Park

Kentucky Historical Society

Liberty Hall Historic Site

Kentucky Old State Capitol Building

Visit Frankfort

Niche

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