10 Troubling Facts About Kentucky You Would Be Better Off Not Knowing

Everyone knows the Bluegrass State is a beautiful place to live, thanks to the land and the friendly residents. Unfortunately, the old saying "nobody’s perfect" still rings true. It hurts to say it, but we could use some work with these troubling Kentucky facts.

Here are 10 troubling Kentucky facts that could stand improvements:

10. New Madrid Fault Line

Most people don’t really like to think about this, but it still exists. Kentucky sits atop a giant cave system and fault line. It has sinkhole issues, though not on a gigantic scale. The fact remains, Mother Nature could decide to swallow up 2/3 of the state on a whim. Many try to avoid areas with frequent construction using explosives, which is smart.

9. Annual particle position

The American Lung Association found that Jefferson County ranks 15th in the nation for particle pollution in the air that locals try to breathe. That is quite a feat for such a vast amount of counties all across the U.S. It is also number 3 for allergens.

8. Bourbon and horse racing

These are the first things that come to mind when people outside of Kentucky, think of this state. That is one very good reason to promote the beauty of this state and balance it out. Residents are not ashamed of the fact that they raise amazing horses and make the finest bourbon to be found. Not to mention, despite the high bourbon production, this state is nowhere near the top of the list when it comes to deaths due to alcohol. That is something to take pride in. There are just a few other things worth admiring in Kentucky. Red River Gorge, Cumberland Falls, Kentucky Lake, and so many more lovely places.

7. Cancer, of all types

This state is in the number 1 spot for overall cancer-related deaths in the U.S. It is followed closely by West Virginia, Mississippi, and Arkansas, but that doesn’t make anyone feel any better. There is great support for cancer patients and survivors, such as the annual Parade of Survivors during the Kentucky Derby Festival.

6. Lung and Respiratory Disease

Kentucky ranks number 1 for deaths related to lung disease in the U.S. Since this is one of the top coal and tobacco producers in the country, this should not come as a surprise. Black Lung is not uncommon and the percentage of deaths from heart disease isn’t too far behind. Hopefully, some sustainable clean energy sources can start to be used more often.

5. Heart Disease

Kentucky ranks number 11 in the nation for deaths via heart disease. This is better than being number one. However, though it hurts to admit it, we could all likely get by with a little less gravy.

4. Population growth

The beauty of Kentucky draws people to it. The population of this state has grown by 7.39% since 2014. That may not sound like a lot, but it is when other economic factors are not improving. Kentucky hopes people visit as visitors help the economy. The standard cost of living is more than 12% lower than in most of the country.

3. Poverty

The U.S. Census Bureau found that more than 20% of Kentuckians live in poverty. That means around 1 out of 5 people in the state make under $25,000 annually with a family of 4.

2. Obesity

More than 32% of the population of Kentucky has an obesity problem. That is almost 1/3 of the people in the state. It ranks 16th in the nation for deaths because of obesity related health issues. The state loves southern cooking, but it has some adverse effects.

1. Unemployment

The current unemployment rate in Kentucky is more than 7%. The average for the remainder of the U.S. is 6.3%. Perhaps some of the future participants in the population growth will bring jobs with them. At this point, the jobs are continuing to decrease by around .39% annually.

Compared to other issues in the U.S., these troubling Kentucky facts aren’t too awful. Kentucky may be a few steps above the rest because of its good-hearted people and the unmatched beauty of its lands. This state continues to bring in a ton of visitors every year to enjoy the weather, the Southern cooking, the Kentucky Derby, the quality bourbon, the fantastic scenery, and some good old Southern hospitality.  What areas would you suggest Kentucky put efforts into improving? Let us know in the comments.