Kentucky Native Stunned to Discover There’s Actually a Kentucky in Arkansas

Over the weekend, I was watching severe weather coverage on The Weather Channel. In particular, the meteorologists were monitoring a storm that was barreling toward Little Rock, Arkansas. On the graphic, just off the south and west, was the word "Kentucky." Now, I'm a Kentucky (the state, not the town) native and, until I saw that map, I had no idea there was a Kentucky, Arkansas.

Well, there is!

It's in Saline County, sits on Arkansas State Highway 5, and is sandwiched between Hot Springs and Little Rock. Kentucky's too small to call it a 'city.' Honestly, it's too small to even call it a 'town.' According to Wikipedia, it's a 'township.'

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The Encyclopedia of Arkansas hails it "an unincorporated community" that was established in the early 1800s. It's basically centered around Kentucky Baptist Church and its cemetery. Coincidentally, it's located within a few miles of Benton, Arkansas. If you're from Kentucky (again, the state), you know we have our very own Benton.

Here's a fun comparison of those two cities. Benton, Arkansas is much larger than Benton, Kentucky. It's estimated population is north of 123,000. The population of Benton, Kentucky is just shy of 5,000.

Here's another interesting connection and parallel. The families that eventually settled and founded Kentucky, Arkansas originally migrated to Arkansas from Christian County, Kentucky.

Today, Saline County is one of the fastest growing areas in central Arkansas. TVH11 recently covered the proposed and much-needed expansion of Hwy 5 that runs through it.

And nothing shows the growth of that area like this news! It was recently announced that ground will be broken- this month (April 16th, 2025)- on a brand new Buc-ee's location. The Benton Buc-ee's will be the travel plaza's very first location in Arkansas.

And, yes! You guessed it. It'll just be a few miles from Kentucky.