Ballard County, Kentucky
Ballard County is located in the westernmost part of Kentucky, where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers come together. The county was named after Bland Ballard, a Kentucky pioneer.
Wickliffe serves as the county seat and sits near the Missouri border, with Fort Jefferson Hill Park and Memorial Cross among the area’s notable attractions.
The Ballard Wildlife Management Area is popular with hunters and bird watchers, while the county’s flat farmland is well suited for growing corn and soybeans. For those interested in history, the Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site offers a fascinating look into the region’s past.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Ballard County |
| County Seat | Wickliffe |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Wickliffe, Barlow, La Center, Kevil, Bandana |
| Interstates and Highways | US-60, KY-121, KY-286 |
| Etymology | Named after Captain Bland Ballard, a soldier and Kentucky pioneer |
| FIPS Code | 21-007 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 274 sq mi (Land: 247 sq mi; Water: 27 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Pulaski County, Illinois (North), McCracken County (East), Carlisle County (South), Mississippi County, Missouri (Southwest), Alexander County, Illinois (West) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37.0565° N, 89.0097° W |
| Major Landmarks | Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site, Ballard Wildlife Management Area, Fort Jefferson Memorial Cross |
| Population | Approximately 7,500 |
