Neighboring provinces are (from north, clockwise) Nong Bua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Kalasin, Maha Sarakham, Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Phetchabun, and Loei.

[5] During the Dvaravati period, Khon Kaen was influenced by the culture of the central region.

The main city was moved six times until in 1879 it reached its present-day location at Nuang Kaw.

The Integrated Opisthorchiasis Control Program, also known as the Lawa Project, an internationally recognized liver fluke control program, has its offices in the Ban Phai and Ban Haet Districts south of Khon Kaen city.

The story of Sang Sinxay, one of the masterpieces of Lao literature written by Pang Kham in 1649, during the Lan Xang period.

[10] As of 26 November 2019 there are:[11] one Khon Kaen Provincial Administration Organisation (ongkan borihan suan changwat) and 84 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province.

The non-municipal areas are administered by 140 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon).

In 2017, a 60 kilometre dual-track line will connect Khon Kaen to Nakhon Ratchasima province.

It is the first segment of a dual track network that will connect Isan with the Laem Chabang seaport.