Louisville

by The Linguist

 

Louisville, Kentucky – The Gateway to the South

Louisville is the largest city in the state of Kentucky with a population of over 600,000 residents. Nicknamed the “Gateway to the South”, Louisville sits along the border of Kentucky and Indiana at the falls of the Ohio River. The city has a rich history and culture and is known for its museums, parks, distilleries and unique cuisine.

History

Louisville was founded in 1778 by George Rogers Clark and was named after King Louis XVI of France in honor of French assistance during the Revolutionary War. It officially became a city in 1828. Throughout the 1800s, Louisville became an important port city for steamboats traveling along the Ohio River. It was a strategic location during the Civil War as Kentucky was a border state. Learn more about Louisville’s history on Wikipedia.

Population

As of the 2020 census, Louisville has a population of 633,045 residents, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States. It is the largest city in Kentucky. The Louisville metropolitan area, which includes surrounding counties, has a population of over 1.3 million. The city has seen steady population growth since the late 20th century.

Economy

Major industries in Louisville include shipping and logistics, health care, retail, food and beverage production, automotive manufacturing, and more. Some of the major companies headquartered in Louisville include Humana, Yum! Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve), Papa John’s Pizza, Thorntons, and Texas Roadhouse. The UPS Worldport global air hub is located in Louisville and is the worldwide center of UPS’s package handling operations. Learn more about Louisville’s economy.

Attractions and Landmarks

Some of Louisville’s top attractions and landmarks include:

  • Churchill Downs – Home of the Kentucky Derby horse race. Located at 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208. Website.
  • Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory – Interactive baseball museum and factory tour. Located at 800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202. Website.
  • Muhammad Ali Center – Museum dedicated to the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali. Located at 144 N 6th St, Louisville, KY 40202. Website.
  • Louisville Zoo – Nationally acclaimed zoo with over 1,300 animals. Located at 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213. Website.

Some other popular attractions include the Kentucky Science Center, Louisville Waterfront Park, Louisville Mega Cavern, Frazier History Museum, Locust Grove, Old Louisville neighborhood, and many distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Sports

Louisville is home to several professional and college sports teams:

  • Louisville Cardinals – College teams competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Website
  • Louisville City FC – Professional soccer team in the USL Championship league. Website
  • Louisville Bats – Minor league baseball team affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. Website

The city is also known for hosting the Kentucky Derby, one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.

Transportation

Louisville is served by several major transportation infrastructure:

  • Louisville International Airport – Largest airport in the state, serving over 4 million passengers annually. Located at 600 Terminal Dr, Louisville, KY 40209. Website.
  • Port of Louisville – Inland port located at the Falls of the Ohio, allowing access for seaborne traffic. Operates as one of the largest water ports in the United States. Located at 219 River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202. Website.
  • Public transportation – Operated by TARC (Transit Authority of River City). Includes busses and paratransit. Website.

Several major interstates and highways also run through the Louisville metro area including I-64, I-65, I-71, and I-264.

Education

Public education in Louisville is provided by Jefferson County Public Schools, the 28th largest school district in the United States. There are over 170 public schools educating around 100,000 students. Website.

In addition, Louisville is home to several prominent universities and colleges:

  • University of Louisville – Public research university founded in 1798. Over 22,000 students. Located at 2311 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40292. Website.
  • Bellarmine University – Private liberal arts university founded in 1950. Nearly 4,000 students. Located at 2001 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40205. Website.
  • Spalding University – Private Catholic university founded in 1814. Around 2,300 students. Located at 845 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40203. Website.
  • Simmons College of Kentucky – Private HBCU founded in 1879. Around 300 students. Located at 1018 S 7th St, Louisville, KY 40203. Website.
  • Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – Christian seminary founded in 1859. Over 4,000 students. Located at 2825 Lexington Rd, Louisville, KY 40280. Website.

Additional Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources and information for Louisville:

Notable Landmarks – Addresses and Coordinates

  • Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory – 800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202. Latitude: 38.2550° N, Longitude: 85.7586° W
  • Churchill Downs – 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208. Latitude: 38.2054° N, Longitude: 85.7718° W
  • Muhammad Ali Center – 144 N 6th St, Louisville, KY 40202. Latitude: 38.2561° N, Longitude: 85.7603° W

Map of Louisville, Kentucky

The map above shows the major landmarks and boundaries of Louisville, Kentucky.

County and Location

Louisville is the seat and largest city of Jefferson County, Kentucky. Jefferson County was founded in 1780 and named after Thomas Jefferson. It is located in north central Kentucky along the Ohio River.

Website: https://jeffersoncountyclerk.org/

Address: 527 W Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 574-5700