Western Region, KY Land for Sale

The Western region of Kentucky borders Illinois to the north, Missouri to the west and Tennessee to the south. Large cities in the region include Owensboro, Henderson, Madisonville, Hopkinsville, Princeton, Murray, Mayfield and Paducah. The area's economy is primarily based on agriculture, but tourism is also an important industry, with some natural and man-made lakes for outdoor and water-related recreational activities. Attractions include Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, connected by a canal in Grand Rivers, making it the largest body of man-made water east of the Mississippi River, with 170,000 acres of Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. There are also numerous state parks in the region, including Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park, a part of Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Kenlake State Resort Park and Rough River Dam State Resort Park.

McCracken County is located in the western part of the Western region of Kentucky. The county is bordered by Illinois to the north, formed by the Ohio River, with the Tennessee River forming its northeastern border. It was named for Captain Virgil McCracken who was killed in the War of 1812. The only municipality is Paducah which is also the county seat. Other large communities include Farley, Hendron, Massac and Reidland. The National Quilt Museum is in Paducah. West Kentucky Community and Technical College, University of Kentucky (branch campus of College of Engineering), Murray State University-Paducah, Lindsey Wilson College and McKendree University are located in McCracken County.

Calloway County is in the Western region of Kentucky and borders Tennessee to the south. It is named for Colonel Richard Callaway, one of the founders of Boonesborough. Murray is the largest city and the county seat; it is the 22nd largest city in the state. Hazel is also a city in the county, and there are many other small unincorporated communities. Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, and Land Between the Lakes are in Calloway County. Other attractions include Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Calloway County Parks and Recreation, consisting of two parks covering 165 acres of sports fields and wooded areas. Murray State University is also in this county.

Marshall County is also in the western portion of Kentucky's Western region. The northeastern border of the county is formed by the Tennessee River and Kentucky Lake. Benton is the largest city and the county seat. Other cities in the county are Calvert City and Hardin, and there are a number of smaller unincorporated communities. Some attractions include recreational activities on Kentucky Lake, such as boating, camping and fishing, Elk and Bison Prairie and Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge. Benton is known for a popular annual festival called "Tater Day," and an annual singing event called "The Southern Harmony," thought to be the oldest indigenous musical tradition in the U.S.