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As we move into 2026, the landscape for women in the workplace continues to evolve, yet significant disparities remain. Challenges such as gender discrimination, unequal pay, and the burden of unpaid domestic work persist. Understanding how these issues vary by location is crucial for women seeking better career opportunities and equitable treatment.
Following our analysis of the worst states for women, we focused on identifying the most challenging cities for women in Kentucky. The findings highlight how geographical differences can greatly influence women’s experiences in the workforce.
Continue reading to discover the rankings of cities in Kentucky and the factors that contribute to these evaluations.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Kentucky
These cities represent some of the toughest environments for women in Kentucky. Read on to learn more about the specific challenges facing women in these areas or skip ahead to see the best cities for women in the state.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Kentucky
Each city was ranked based on four key metrics:
- Percentage of Women in Management (lower percentage is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (higher percentage is worse)
- Women’s Earnings Compared to Men’s Earnings (lower ratio is worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (lower percentage is worse)
To analyze the income gap, we utilized the Census American Community Survey. The male-to-female earnings ratio was calculated by dividing median male income by median female income.
For poverty statistics, we focused on women living alone, excluding those married or living with relatives, as these individuals tend to have higher poverty rates. This approach provides a clearer picture of economic challenges faced specifically by women.
We also examined the percentage of women in management roles to gauge leadership opportunities available to them. This metric reflects both personal achievements and the broader context of advancement for women.
Lastly, we sourced data on the percentage of uninsured women from the ACS. Only cities in Kentucky with populations over 5,000 were included in our analysis.
1. Highland Heights
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.36
Women in Management: 17.4%
Women in Poverty: 24.1%
Uninsured Women: 7.0%
Highland Heights ranks as the worst city for women in Kentucky, driven by consistently low performance across key metrics. Women here face a high likelihood of poverty and lack of health insurance, indicating significant challenges in their daily lives.
2. Murray
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.56
Women in Management: 27.1%
Women in Poverty: 36.3%
Uninsured Women: 4.9%
Women in Murray also face significant hurdles, with a high poverty rate and concerning earnings statistics, reflecting ongoing gender inequities in the workforce.
3. Pikeville
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.53
Women in Management: 37.6%
Women in Poverty: 31.0%
Uninsured Women: 5.7%
Pikeville women’s representation in management is relatively better, yet poverty remains a serious issue, demonstrating the varying degrees of challenges faced by women across different cities.
4. Berea
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.47
Women in Management: 37.5%
Women in Poverty: 20.3%
Uninsured Women: 7.6%
Berea ranks fourth worst for women, with notable percentages of uninsured women and those living in poverty, indicating significant economic challenges.
5. Franklin
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.62
Women in Management: 19.0%
Women in Poverty: 26.1%
Uninsured Women: 5.0%
Women in Franklin experience slightly better conditions compared to the top four cities, yet the statistics still reveal significant barriers for women in the workforce.
6. Somerset
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.77
Women in Management: 35.3%
Women in Poverty: 35.6%
Uninsured Women: 7.6%
Somerset ranks sixth, with a high percentage of women living in poverty, highlighting ongoing economic difficulties for women in this city.
7. Bowling Green
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.68
Women in Management: 36.5%
Women in Poverty: 27.2%
Uninsured Women: 6.1%
Bowling Green presents a challenging environment for women, marked by concerning poverty rates and earnings disparities, which impede their advancement.
8. Mayfield
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.74
Women in Management: 36.3%
Women in Poverty: 28.9%
Uninsured Women: 6.2%
Mayfield’s women face significant poverty rates and a notable earnings gap, indicating the need for systemic change and support.
9. Paris
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women in Management: 42.0%
Women in Poverty: 25.2%
Uninsured Women: 6.7%
In Paris, while the management representation for women is better, the earnings gap and poverty rates demonstrate that further efforts are needed to support women.
10. La Grange
Earnings Compared to Male Dollars Earned: $0.70
Women in Management: 30.9%
Women in Poverty: 18.0%
Uninsured Women: 7.2%
La Grange concludes our list as the tenth worst city, where women still encounter numerous barriers despite slightly better statistics than the cities ranked above.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Kentucky
These cities illustrate the significant hurdles that women face in Kentucky. While many cities in the state continue to struggle with gender inequities, these locations present particularly challenging conditions for women.
The disparity between the best and worst cities underscores the importance of geographical context in analyzing women’s experiences in the workforce. Overall, Highland Heights stands out as particularly difficult for women, but individual circumstances can vary widely.
Explore the detailed list below for more insights.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Kentucky
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Heights | $0.36 |
| 2 | Murray | $0.56 |
| 3 | Pikeville | $0.53 |
| 4 | Berea | $0.47 |
| 5 | Franklin | $0.62 |
| 6 | Somerset | $0.77 |
| 7 | Bowling Green | $0.68 |
| 8 | Mayfield | $0.74 |
| 9 | Paris | $0.65 |
| 10 | La Grange | $0.70 |
| 11 | Maysville | $0.78 |
| 12 | Newport | $0.84 |
| 13 | Central City | $0.55 |
| 14 | Madisonville | $0.68 |
| 15 | Lebanon | $0.77 |
| 16 | Hopkinsville | $0.77 |
| 17 | London | $0.55 |
| 18 | Campbellsville | $0.54 |
| 19 | Fort Wright | $0.62 |
| 20 | Middlesborough | $0.77 |
| 21 | Glasgow | $0.62 |
| 22 | Elizabethtown | $0.68 |
| 23 | Mount Sterling | $0.71 |
| 24 | Fort Campbell North | $0.41 |
| 25 | Georgetown | $0.65 |
| 26 | Paducah | $0.81 |
| 27 | Corbin | $0.75 |
| 28 | Versailles | $0.86 |
| 29 | Radcliff | $0.80 |
| 30 | Shelbyville | $0.69 |
| 31 | Richmond | $0.79 |
| 32 | Flatwoods | $0.67 |
| 33 | Covington | $0.85 |
| 34 | Harrodsburg | $0.83 |
| 35 | Fort Knox | $0.53 |
| 36 | Bardstown | $0.64 |
| 37 | Vine Grove | $0.70 |
| 38 | Ashland | $0.70 |
| 39 | Lexington-Fayette | $0.77 |
| 40 | Owensboro | $0.65 |
| 41 | Union | $0.36 |
| 42 | Florence | $0.84 |
| 43 | Fort Mitchell | $0.63 |
| 44 | Lawrenceburg | $0.77 |
| 45 | Nicholasville | $0.77 |
| 46 | Henderson | $0.73 |
| 47 | Oak Grove | $0.77 |
| 48 | Oakbrook | $0.56 |
| 49 | Lyndon | $0.77 |
| 50 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $0.77 |
| 51 | Dayton | $0.63 |
| 52 | Erlanger | $0.74 |
| 53 | Russellville | $0.89 |
| 54 | Mount Washington | $0.65 |
| 55 | Winchester | $0.73 |
| 56 | Cynthiana | $0.93 |
| 57 | Hillview | $0.67 |
| 58 | Francisville | $0.48 |
| 59 | Danville | $0.77 |
| 60 | Leitchfield | $0.74 |
| 61 | Frankfort | $1.02 |
| 62 | Alexandria | $0.78 |
| 63 | Fort Thomas | $0.72 |
| 64 | Taylor Mill | $0.70 |
| 65 | Monticello | $1.17 |
| 66 | Princeton | $0.74 |
| 67 | Cold Spring | $0.73 |
| 68 | Edgewood | $0.71 |
| 69 | St. Matthews | $0.89 |
| 70 | Shively | $0.93 |
| 71 | Elsmere | $0.97 |
| 72 | Hebron | $0.67 |
| 73 | Burlington | $0.85 |
| 74 | Independence | $0.72 |
| 75 | Jeffersontown | $0.79 |
| 76 | Bellevue | $0.79 |
| 77 | Shepherdsville | $0.83 |
| 78 | Middletown | $0.83 |
| 79 | Villa Hills | $1.00 |
| 80 | Douglass Hills | $0.92 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
