Morgantown is a close-knit community in Western Kentucky
Morgantown’s rural character and quiet streets are the backdrop for a close-knit residential community on the banks of the Green River. About 25 miles outside Bowling Green, Morgantown locals often lean on each other for immediate support. “If there’s, say, a major illness to a family member in our community, everyone really rallies together and holds auctions and such to help,” says Natasha Givens, a Morgantown native and a Realtor with Keller Williams First Choice Realty. “It’s really amazing.” This community-minded spirit extends to gatherings like the annual Green River Catfish Festival and robust agriculture programs at local schools.
Mostly one-story homes at relatively low price points
Ranch-style homes and cottages throughout Morgantown were primarily built in the mid- and late-20th century, often featuring brick or vinyl exteriors with covered front porches. Properties sit close together along quiet, narrow roads, which typically lack sidewalks, and grassy front lawns are shaded by maple and oak trees. Home prices for three- to four-bedroom properties usually range from $90,000 to $250,000, mainly depending on the property's condition. Morgantown’s relative affordability is a major draw for newcomers, especially compared to larger cities in the region like Bowling Green, where the median sale price is about $295,000. Givens adds that infrastructure has been improving over time. “Internet was a big issue before, but now we have two companies with fiber internet running through the majority of the county,” she says. “They just got that resolved last summer, and since so many people work remotely, that’s a big factor.”
Charles Black City Park and other local green spaces
Charles Black City Park is a hub for all sorts of outdoor recreation, including tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. The park also has four baseball diamonds and an 18-hole disc golf course. The Morgantown City Pool is open seasonally and often hosts poolside movie nights on Wednesdays. In 2019, the city opened Morgantown Bark Park, a fenced-in, pet-friendly space covering about half an acre. Several miles south of Morgantown, Hidden Valley Golf Course has a nine-hole layout that’s open to the public. Cedar Ridge Speedway hosts various car racing events from April to November.
Fishing tournament at the annual Green River Catfish Festival
The annual Green River Catfish Festival takes place at the Butler County Fairgrounds during the week of July Fourth, with three days of live music, vendor fairs and a large fireworks show. The festival’s main attraction is its annual fishing tournament, where anglers catch catfish along the riverfront.
Agriculture and other technical programs at county schools
Morgantown Elementary and Butler County Middle both earn a C from Niche. The C-plus-rated Butler County High offers extracurricular programs like Future Farmers of America, along with basketball and other seasonal sports. Local students can also enroll in the Butler County Area Technology Center, a specialized technical high school offering five career-oriented pathways: automotive technology, engineering, carpentry, pre-nursing and industrial maintenance technology.
Located North of Bowling Green on Interstate 165
Morgantown is located along Interstate 165, about 25 miles north of Bowling Green. Locals drive to Bowling Green for big-box retailers and full-service hospitals, including TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital. Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport is the nearest commercial airport, about 50 miles away.
Local eateries serve American and Mexican cuisine
Aside from a few locally owned shops on Main Street, most businesses and restaurants are located along highways around the community’s edges. Kuntry Kitchen serves American fare and homemade pie in a relaxed setting, and Mi Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant has been a local favorite since 2003. Though there aren’t many large chains in the area, grocery store options include Hometown IGA and DG Market.
