North Central Region, KY Land for Sale

The North Central region of Kentucky borders Ohio and Illinois to the north. It contains the largest cities in the region, including Frankfort, the state capital, Lexington and Louisville. Louisville is the largest city in North Central Kentucky and in the state, and the 30th most populated in the U.S. Louisville is an important port city on the Ohio River. Lexington is known for its horse farms, horse breeding and race courses. The Bluegrass area is located in this region, including Lexington and Louisville. The Kentucky River runs through this region, and the Kentucky River Palisades, with high cliffs, but also with sections for leisurely boating, fishing and water skiing excursions. Other attractions are the Valley View Ferry, the oldest continuously running ferry in the state, Dix River, Elkhorn Creek, Herrington Lake, Lake Reba, Beaver Lake and Cedar Creek Lake. Kentucky State University, Eastern Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky and University of Louisville are in this region, and also many private colleges and universities.

Hardin County is located in the western part of Kentucky's North Central region. The county is named for Col. John Hardin, an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It is the fourth largest county in Kentucky by area. Elizabethtown is the largest city and the county seat, with Radcliff also being a large city in the county; there are a number of other small cities and communities. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is in this Hardin County. Much of the county's economy is dominated by the adjacent Fort Knox Military Installation, a 109,000-acre base and covers parts of three counties.

Madison County is located in the southeastern part of the North Central Kentucky region. It is named for U.S. president James Madison. The largest community is Richmond, which is also the county seat. Other communities include Boonesborough, Berea, Kirksville, and Waco. Fort Boonesborough State Park is in this county, the settlement founded by Daniel Boone in 1775. Visitors can enjoy recreations of the original fort, with cabins, bunk houses, furnishings and in season the fort houses resident artisans such as blacksmiths and potters. The Kentucky River Museum is also located in the park. Other attractions include five county parks, the Battle of Richmond Museum, the Kentucky River Blueway Trail and 1,800-acre Miller Welch-Central Kentucky Wildlife Management Area featuring hunting, fishing, horseback riding and hiking. Eastern Kentucky University, Berea College and National College of Business and Technology are located in Madison County.

Fayette County is located in the eastern part of the North Central region of Kentucky. It is the second most populated county in the state. Lexington is the only city and the county seat, and is the second largest city in Kentucky and the 61st largest in the country. It is known as the Horse Capital of the World, and the county includes major racing and sales facilities and is the center of thoroughbred horse breeding in Kentucky. There are several museums of horses and racing in the Lexington area. The county is known for its natural beauty as well, with the inner Bluegrass Region in the center of it, which contributes to the development of champion horses, as the area has fertile soil and excellent pastureland. A number of small creeks run through the area and flow into the Kentucky River. There are also a number of historical sites and attractions in Lexington, including the premier University of Kentucky Art Museum, the only accredited museum in the region. There are several colleges and universities in Fayette County, including Indiana Wesleyan University (Lexington campus), Sullivan University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Lexington Theological Seminary, Midway College (Lexington campus) and Spencerian College.