The Bluegrass State offers dirt cheap business costs. But its economy and workforce can be patchy.
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Kentucky Score and Ranking
| Category | 2021 Score | 2021 Rank | 2019 Rank | 2021 Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Doing Business | 280 | 6 | 1 | A |
| Infrastructure | 201 | 20 | 2 | C+ |
| Life, Health & Inclusion | 180 | 29 | -- | C- |
| Workforce | 119 | 45 | 40 | F |
| Economy | 85 | 45 | 46 | D- |
| Business Friendliness | 65 | 41 | 45 | D+ |
| Access to Capital | 70 | 32 | 29 | D+ |
| Technology & Innovation | 64 | 38 | 36 | D |
| Education | 70 | 34 | 31 | C- |
| Cost of Living | 50 | 18 | 13 | B |
| Overall | 1184 | 41 | 39 |
Economic Profile
Governor: Andy Beshear, Democrat
Population: 4,477,251
GDP growth (Q1 2021): 6.4%
Unemployment rate (May 2021): 4.5%
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
