Kentucky Forest Sector Economic Contribution

Forests cover nearly half the state of Kentucky and are the foundation of a forest sector that is a major economic force in the Commonwealth. This webpage contains the latest Kentucky forest sector economic contribution estimates, prior estimates, links to data sources and methods, as well as additional information related to the economic importance of Kentucky’s forest resources. 

The 2021 economic contributions of Kentucky’s forest sector include:

  • $9.09 billion in direct economic contribution
  • $13.18 billion in total economic contributions
  • 26,000 jobs in the forest sector and an estimated 50,000 jobs overall

The Kentucky Forest Sector is divided into six sub-sectors:  

  • Logging
  • Primary Wood Manufacturing
  • Pulp and Paper
  • Secondary Wood Manufacturing
  • Paper Converters
  • Wood Residue

Each of these sub-sectors is comprised of multiple forest businesses.

   

   

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These figures show the direct employment and direct economic contribution of each of the Kentucky forest sub-sectors.

Figure 4


        

   

Master Loggers Map

Distribution of Kentucky’s Forest Sector

Kentucky’s forests, which are mostly privately
owned, provide the majority of the timber for the
Kentucky forest sector which processes it into
many useful products used throughout the state
and around the world. The economic contribution
comes from timber resources in all 120 counties.

Over 2,195 Kentucky Master Loggers were responsible for this harvest. The wood was processed at 651 wood, paper, and paper converting manufacturing facilities located in 113 counties. The distribution of these facilities indicates the importance of the forest sector to both rural and urban communities.

For more details about the report click on one of the following links:

   

Other Economic Information: