39. Kentucky

This state offers low business costs and great infrastructure, but the economy is lame.

Wooden Kentucky flag
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Category
Score
2019 Rank
2018 Rank
Score
Workforce 198 40 49 D-
Economy 106 46 47 F
Infrastructure 231 2 7 A
Cost of Doing Business 263 1 10 A+
Quality of Life 125 40 37 D-
Education 83 31 39 C-
Technology & Innovation 66 36 36 D
Business Friendliness 35 45 46 F
Access to Capital 30 29 30 D+
Cost of Living 38 13 16 B+
Overall 1175 39 42 -

Economic Profile

Governor: Matt Bevin, Republican

Population: 4,468,402

GDP growth (Q4 2018): 1.8%

Unemployment rate (May 2019): 4%

Top corporate tax rate: 5%

Top individual income tax rate: 5%

Gasoline tax: 26 cents/gallon

Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aa3, stable/A, stable

Major private employers: Humana, Yum! Brands

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (excluding 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence