Kentucky’s 50
Top Cities for Fit Lifestyles
2020
Bourbon, horseback racing, and wildlife collide in Kentucky, a dream state for those who enjoy water-based activities and outdoor recreations. Kentucky houses one of the largest navigable waterway systems and the largest artificial lake in the country. Fitness enthusiasts can find themselves kayaking down 90,000 miles of stream, hiking through expansive stretches of national parks, and utilizing the state’s inclination for natural exploration.
Interesting things to know about Kentucky:
- Mammoth Cave, located in Kentucky, is the longest cave system known in the world.
- Kentucky has 1,100 miles of river being only second to Alaska for its navigable waterways.
- Lexington, Kentucky, and surrounding areas host some of the world’s best horse races.
16
%
The percentage of adults who report excessive drinking. Heavy drinking is linked to higher blood pressure, poorer liver function, increased stroke risk and larger waistlines.
27
%
The percentage of adults who report lack of physical activity.
34
%
The percentage of adults who report a BMI — or body mass index — above 30%. Higher BMI may be an indicator of greater risk to physical health.
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1
Frankfort
Fit Score: 80.32
27,679
830
240
60
330
3.85
200
13
4.3
No
150
12
Frankfort, KY
27,679
830
240
60 
330
3.85
200
13
4.3
No
150
12![](https://barbend.com/wp-content/plugins/bbstudy/images/icons/25.gif"){kind=icon}
2
Shelbyville
Fit Score: 79.95
16,246
740
250
30
330
4.03
190
13
4.2
No
150
12
Shelbyville, KY
16,246 740 250 30 330 4.03 190 13 4.2 No 150 12
3
Franklin
Fit Score: 79.92
8,969
810
260
60
390
3.78
230
14
4.7
No
140
13
Franklin, KY
8,969 810 260 60 390 3.78 230 14 4.7 No 140 13
4
Buckner
Fit Score: 79.78
5,648
940
210
70
250
4.17
160
10
3.6
No
190
10
Buckner, KY
5,648 940 210 70 250 4.17 160 10 3.6 No 190 10
5
Winchester
Fit Score: 79.7
18,577
800
280
20
330
3.64
200
13
4.3
No
150
13
Winchester, KY
18,577 800 280 20 330 3.64 200 13 4.3 No 150 13
6
Lawrencebur.
Fit Score: 79.51
11,479
810
320
60
370
3.82
190
12
4.2
No
150
12
Lawrenceburg, KY
11,479 810 320 60 370 3.82 190 12 4.2 No 150 12
7
Henderson
Fit Score: 79.23
28,432
750
290
40
360
4.2
220
15
5
No
140
14
Henderson, KY
28,432 750 290 40 360 4.2 220 15 5 No 140 14
8
Paris
Fit Score: 79.2
9,872
720
310
80
350
3.68
210
14
4.7
No
140
13
Paris, KY
9,872 720 310 80 350 3.68 210 14 4.7 No 140 13
9
Crestwood
Fit Score: 79.07
5,039
940
210
70
250
4.17
160
10
3.6
No
190
10
Crestwood, KY
5,039 940 210 70 250 4.17 160 10 3.6 No 190 10
10
Versailles
Fit Score: 78.89
9,316
710
240
120
320
3.85
190
12
4.1
No
150
12
Versailles, KY
9,316 710 240 120 320 3.85 190 12 4.1 No 150 12
11
Murray
Fit Score: 78.88
19,348
760
200
50
320
3.75
210
14
4.5
No
150
14
Murray, KY
19,348 760 200 50 320 3.75 210 14 4.5 No 150 14
12
Maysville
Fit Score: 78.75
8,779
750
270
70
300
3.61
230
14
4.7
Yes
140
14
Maysville, KY
8,779 750 270 70 300 3.61 230 14 4.7 Yes 140 14
13
Campbellsvi.
Fit Score: 78.74
11,411
820
310
80
330
3.75
240
16
5
No
140
15
Campbellsville, KY
11,411 820 310 80 330 3.75 240 16 5 No 140 15
14
Edgewood
Fit Score: 78.62
8,733
940
210
60
330
4.27
200
12
4
No
180
12
Edgewood, KY
8,733 940 210 60 330 4.27 200 12 4 No 180 12
15
Middlesboro.
Fit Score: 78.57
9,326
870
400
120
360
3.4
300
21
6.4
No
120
18
Middlesborough, KY
9,326 870 400 120 360 3.4 300 21 6.4 No 120 18
16
Somerset
Fit Score: 78.56
11,486
720
300
80
350
3.5
230
16
5.1
Yes
130
14
Somerset, KY
11,486 720 300 80 350 3.5 230 16 5.1 Yes 130 14
17
Glasgow
Fit Score: 78.5
14,424
670
330
40
330
3.78
230
14
4.7
No
140
14
Glasgow, KY
14,424 670 330 40 330 3.78 230 14 4.7 No 140 14
18
Paducah
Fit Score: 78.37
24,850
760
270
90
320
3.89
210
14
4.4
No
150
13
Paducah, KY
24,850 760 270 90 320 3.89 210 14 4.4 No 150 13
19
Nicholasvil.
Fit Score: 78.33
30,829
790
280
50
330
3.78
200
14
4.5
Yes
150
13
Nicholasville, KY
30,829 790 280 50 330 3.78 200 14 4.5 Yes 150 13
20
Wilmore
Fit Score: 78.3
6,423
790
280
50
330
3.78
200
14
4.5
Yes
150
13
Wilmore, KY
6,423 790 280 50 330 3.78 200 14 4.5 Yes 150 13
21
Villa Hills
Fit Score: 78.3
7,448
940
210
60
330
4.27
200
12
4
No
180
12
Villa Hills, KY
7,448 940 210 60 330 4.27 200 12 4 No 180 12
22
Madisonvill.
Fit Score: 78.29
18,833
530
300
90
350
4.06
190
14
4.8
Yes
130
13
Madisonville, KY
18,833 530 300 90 350 4.06 190 14 4.8 Yes 130 13
23
Harrodsburg
Fit Score: 78.11
8,492
620
310
90
350
3.75
200
14
4.6
No
140
13
Harrodsburg, KY
8,492 620 310 90 350 3.75 200 14 4.6 No 140 13
24
Williamsbur.
Fit Score: 77.96
5,281
760
360
70
360
3.47
250
17
5.3
Yes
130
16
Williamsburg, KY
5,281 760 360 70 360 3.47 250 17 5.3 Yes 130 16
25
Independenc.
Fit Score: 77.94
28,109
940
210
60
330
4.27
200
12
4
No
180
12
Independence, KY
28,109 940 210 60 330 4.27 200 12 4 No 180 12
26
Ashland
Fit Score: 77.93
20,382
740
290
90
410
3.64
220
14
4.7
Yes
140
13
Ashland, KY
20,382 740 290 90 410 3.64 220 14 4.7 Yes 140 13
27
Westwood
Fit Score: 77.87
5,088
740
290
90
410
3.64
220
14
4.7
Yes
140
13
Westwood, KY
5,088 740 290 90 410 3.64 220 14 4.7 Yes 140 13
28
Morehead
Fit Score: 77.86
7,634
980
260
40
360
3.4
240
16
5.2
No
160
15
Morehead, KY
7,634 980 260 40 360 3.4 240 16 5.2 No 160 15
29
Alexandria
Fit Score: 77.81
9,549
940
220
80
310
4.1
190
12
4.1
No
180
12
Alexandria, KY
9,549 940 220 80 310 4.1 190 12 4.1 No 180 12
30
Fort Thomas
Fit Score: 77.78
16,364
940
220
80
310
4.1
190
12
4.1
No
180
12
Fort Thomas, KY
16,364 940 220 80 310 4.1 190 12 4.1 No 180 12
31
Francisvill.
Fit Score: 77.77
9,458
740
230
60
360
4.2
170
11
3.8
No
180
11
Francisville, KY
9,458 740 230 60 360 4.2 170 11 3.8 No 180 11
32
Fort Wright
Fit Score: 77.74
5,737
940
210
60
330
4.27
200
12
4
No
180
12
Fort Wright, KY
5,737 940 210 60 330 4.27 200 12 4 No 180 12
33
Cold Spring
Fit Score: 77.66
6,446
940
220
80
310
4.1
190
12
4.1
No
180
12
Cold Spring, KY
6,446 940 220 80 310 4.1 190 12 4.1 No 180 12
34
Vine Grove
Fit Score: 77.65
6,310
550
270
100
350
4.13
200
12
4.1
No
150
12
Vine Grove, KY
6,310 550 270 100 350 4.13 200 12 4.1 No 150 12
35
Monticello
Fit Score: 77.61
6,034
650
320
80
400
3.4
240
18
5.7
No
130
16
Monticello, KY
6,034 650 320 80 400 3.4 240 18 5.7 No 130 16
36
Fort Knox
Fit Score: 77.59
9,092
550
270
100
350
4.13
200
12
4.1
No
150
12
Fort Knox, KY
9,092 550 270 100 350 4.13 200 12 4.1 No 150 12
37
Danville
Fit Score: 77.57
16,804
720
280
120
330
3.68
210
14
4.7
No
150
13
Danville, KY
16,804 720 280 120 330 3.68 210 14 4.7 No 150 13
38
Union
Fit Score: 77.54
5,930
740
230
60
360
4.2
170
11
3.8
No
180
11
Union, KY
5,930 740 230 60 360 4.2 170 11 3.8 No 180 11
39
Central Cit.
Fit Score: 77.53
5,754
520
330
20
380
3.99
210
15
5.1
Yes
130
14
Central City, KY
5,754 520 330 20 380 3.99 210 15 5.1 Yes 130 14
40
La Grange
Fit Score: 77.53
8,965
940
210
70
250
4.17
160
10
3.6
No
190
10
La Grange, KY
8,965 940 210 70 250 4.17 160 10 3.6 No 190 10
41
Fort Mitche.
Fit Score: 77.52
8,242
940
210
60
330
4.27
200
12
4
No
180
12
Fort Mitchell, KY
8,242 940 210 60 330 4.27 200 12 4 No 180 12
42
Bowling Gre.
Fit Score: 77.45
68,401
550
230
60
320
3.78
190
14
4.3
No
150
13
Bowling Green, KY
68,401 550 230 60 320 3.78 190 14 4.3 No 150 13
43
Taylor Mill
Fit Score: 77.44
6,792
940
210
60
330
4.27
200
12
4
No
180
12
Taylor Mill, KY
6,792 940 210 60 330 4.27 200 12 4 No 180 12
44
Mount Sterl.
Fit Score: 77.32
7,278
680
320
50
350
3.54
240
15
4.9
Yes
140
15
Mount Sterling, KY
7,278 680 320 50 350 3.54 240 15 4.9 Yes 140 15
45
Pikeville
Fit Score: 77.28
6,638
430
350
10
400
3.36
220
17
5.6
Yes
120
15
Pikeville, KY
6,638 430 350 10 400 3.36 220 17 5.6 Yes 120 15
46
Elizabethto.
Fit Score: 77.24
30,157
550
270
100
350
4.13
200
12
4.1
No
150
12
Elizabethtown, KY
30,157 550 270 100 350 4.13 200 12 4.1 No 150 12
47
Bellevue
Fit Score: 77.23
5,772
940
220
80
310
4.1
190
12
4.1
No
180
12
Bellevue, KY
5,772 940 220 80 310 4.1 190 12 4.1 No 180 12
48
Radcliff
Fit Score: 77.2
22,952
550
270
100
350
4.13
200
12
4.1
No
150
12
Radcliff, KY
22,952 550 270 100 350 4.13 200 12 4.1 No 150 12
49
Elsmere
Fit Score: 77.18
8,642
940
210
60
330
4.27
200
12
4
No
180
12
Elsmere, KY
8,642 940 210 60 330 4.27 200 12 4 No 180 12
50
Cynthiana
Fit Score: 77.16
6,362
490
330
20
360
3.68
210
14
4.6
No
140
13
Cynthiana, KY
6,362 490 330 20 360 3.68 210 14 4.6 No 140 13Didn’t Find Your City in the Top 50?
| Rank | City | Population | Exercise Opportunities | Physical Inactivity | Healthy Food Access | Obesity | Air Pollution (PM2.5) | Smoking | Drinking | Physical Distress | Fit Score |
| 51 | London | 8043 | 610 | 330 | 40 | 400 | 3.5 | 220 | 140 | 4.8 | 77.09 |
| 52 | Highland Heights | 7103 | 940 | 220 | 80 | 310 | 4.1 | 190 | 180 | 4.1 | 77.03 |
| 53 | Georgetown | 34395 | 730 | 240 | 90 | 340 | 3.82 | 180 | 170 | 4 | 76.76 |
| 54 | Dayton | 5507 | 940 | 220 | 80 | 310 | 4.1 | 190 | 180 | 4.1 | 76.69 |
| 55 | Covington | 40366 | 940 | 210 | 60 | 330 | 4.27 | 200 | 180 | 4 | 76.55 |
| 56 | Mount Washington | 14705 | 740 | 250 | 90 | 360 | 4.34 | 200 | 170 | 4.1 | 76.44 |
| 57 | Hebron | 6095 | 740 | 230 | 60 | 360 | 4.2 | 170 | 180 | 3.8 | 76.4 |
| 58 | Newport | 15020 | 940 | 220 | 80 | 310 | 4.1 | 190 | 180 | 4.1 | 76.35 |
| 59 | Russellville | 7057 | 410 | 320 | 70 | 370 | 3.85 | 220 | 130 | 4.7 | 76.29 |
| 60 | Burlington | 16776 | 740 | 230 | 60 | 360 | 4.2 | 170 | 180 | 3.8 | 76.27 |
| 61 | Hillview | 9148 | 740 | 250 | 90 | 360 | 4.34 | 200 | 170 | 4.1 | 76.26 |
| 62 | Owensboro | 59809 | 780 | 260 | 50 | 330 | 4.27 | 220 | 160 | 4.6 | 76.24 |
| 63 | Mayfield | 9874 | 470 | 320 | 40 | 350 | 3.85 | 220 | 140 | 5 | 76.19 |
| 64 | Bardstown | 13164 | 690 | 290 | 40 | 330 | 4.03 | 200 | 160 | 4.3 | 76.05 |
| 65 | Oakbrook | 9025 | 740 | 230 | 60 | 360 | 4.2 | 170 | 180 | 3.8 | 76.05 |
| 66 | Shepherdsville | 12383 | 740 | 250 | 90 | 360 | 4.34 | 200 | 170 | 4.1 | 75.91 |
| 67 | Berea | 15787 | 660 | 250 | 110 | 360 | 3.54 | 200 | 160 | 4.7 | 75.71 |
| 68 | Florence | 32479 | 740 | 230 | 60 | 360 | 4.2 | 170 | 180 | 3.8 | 75.65 |
| 69 | Erlanger | 18946 | 740 | 230 | 60 | 360 | 4.2 | 170 | 180 | 3.8 | 75.65 |
| 70 | Richmond | 35894 | 660 | 250 | 110 | 360 | 3.54 | 200 | 160 | 4.7 | 75.46 |
| 71 | Jeffersontown | 27997 | 900 | 240 | 40 | 330 | 4.52 | 190 | 190 | 3.9 | 75.34 |
| 72 | Douglass Hills | 5730 | 900 | 240 | 40 | 330 | 4.52 | 190 | 190 | 3.9 | 75.28 |
| 73 | Middletown | 7915 | 900 | 240 | 40 | 330 | 4.52 | 190 | 190 | 3.9 | 75.19 |
| 74 | Leitchfield | 6831 | 600 | 340 | 120 | 390 | 3.96 | 230 | 140 | 4.9 | 75.18 |
| 75 | Lebanon | 5698 | 480 | 310 | 10 | 350 | 3.82 | 210 | 150 | 5 | 75.17 |
| 76 | Corbin | 7261 | 380 | 330 | 60 | 400 | 3.47 | 290 | 120 | 5.8 | 75.14 |
| 77 | St. Matthews | 18199 | 900 | 240 | 40 | 330 | 4.52 | 190 | 190 | 3.9 | 75.03 |
| 78 | Lyndon | 11483 | 900 | 240 | 40 | 330 | 4.52 | 190 | 190 | 3.9 | 74.85 |
| 79 | Lexington-Fayette | 323780 | 990 | 210 | 70 | 280 | 3.78 | 190 | 200 | 4.3 | 74.41 |
| 80 | Oak Grove | 7376 | 590 | 290 | 120 | 340 | 3.82 | 230 | 160 | 4.8 | 74.35 |
| 81 | Shively | 15781 | 900 | 240 | 40 | 330 | 4.52 | 190 | 190 | 3.9 | 74.32 |
| 82 | Fort Campbell North | 13600 | 590 | 290 | 120 | 340 | 3.82 | 230 | 160 | 4.8 | 74.07 |
| 83 | Hopkinsville | 31026 | 590 | 290 | 120 | 340 | 3.82 | 230 | 160 | 4.8 | 73.99 |
| 84 | Princeton | 6131 | 60 | 270 | 40 | 360 | 3.82 | 210 | 140 | 4.6 | 73.93 |
| 85 | Flatwoods | 7082 | 0 | 320 | 60 | 370 | 3.75 | 210 | 140 | 4.5 | 73.06 |
| 86 | Louisville | 760026 | 900 | 240 | 40 | 330 | 4.52 | 190 | 190 | 3.9 | 72.9 |
How Did We Determine the Top Cities for Fit Lifestyles?
We compiled our list of Best Cities for for Fit Lifestyle by looking at 11 key metrics backed by scientific research. Keep reading to find out which metrics we chose and how they affect slumber.