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is a former census-designated place (CDP) in southern Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. It is centered around the intersection of Preston Highway and the Outer Loop. The population was 17,807 at the 2000 census. When the government of Jefferson County merged with the city of Louisville, Kentucky in 2003, residents of Okolona also became citizens of
. As a result, Okolona is now a neighborhood within the city limits of Louisville.
It was first settled by farmers from Pennsylvania and Virginia in the late 1700s. It was called
in the late 19th century. However, a town near Paducah, Kentucky already claimed that name for its post office, so the town rearranged the words into
. Farming, as well as logging and charcoal production were important industries around this time.
An interurban line was extended to the area in 1905, but residential development did not pick up until General Electric Appliance Park was opened nearby in 1953.
Okolona sits at the exact same elevation as Downtown Louisville despite being 10 miles from the Ohio River, making it one of the city's most flood prone areas. Several square miles of wetlands had to be drained in the area to make development possible.
It is home to one the city's largest shopping area on the South End, with many stores centered around Jefferson Mall. It is home to the largest Assembly of God congregation known as the Evangel Tabernacle Church with Rev. Bob and First Lady Margaret Rogers as pastors.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 17.9 km² (6.9 mi²), all land.