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Jessamine County (/ˈdʒɛsəmɪn/) is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 52,991.[1] Its county seat is Nicholasville.[2] The county was founded in December 1798.[3] Jessamine County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is within the Inner Blue Grass region, long a center of farming and blooded stock raising, including thoroughbred horses. The legislature established a commercial wine industry here in the late 18th century.
Jessamine County | |
|---|---|
 Jessamine County courthouse in Nicholasville | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky | |
 Kentucky's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 37°52′N 84°35′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | December 19, 1798 |
| Named for | Jessamine Creek/Jessamine Douglass |
| Seat | Nicholasville |
| Largest city | Nicholasville |
| Area | |
• Total | 175 sq mi (450 km2) |
| • Land | 172 sq mi (450 km2) |
| • Water | 2.4 sq mi (6 km2) 1.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 52,991 |
• Estimate (2023) | 55,017  |
| • Density | 300/sq mi (120/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | www |
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Jessamine County was established in 1798 from land given by Fayette County.[4] Jessamine was the 36th Kentucky county in order of formation.[5] The county is claimed to be named for a Jessamine Douglass, the daughter of a pioneer settler, who was either killed by Native Americans or committed suicide after being unlucky in love, but that story is dismissed by modern scholars, who say the name is from Jessamine Creek and the jasmine flowers that grow next to it.[6][7][8] Most of the early pioneers were from Virginia, who came through the mountains after the American Revolutionary War.
In the late 18th century, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill to establish a commercial vineyard and winery, based in Nicholasville and the first in the United States, known as First Vineyard.[9] Wine making based on European grapes became widespread in the United States. After the Prohibition era, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, the county voted to prohibit alcohol sales. Voters in the city of Nicholasville allowed package alcohol sales. In 2020, voters voted to allow alcohol sales, reversing the county's dry policy.[10] The Chrisman Mill Vineyards is authorized to operate and sell its product in the "dry" portion of the county.[11]
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 175 square miles (450 km2), of which 172 square miles (450 km2) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) (1.4%) is water.[12] In 2000, nearly 129 square miles (330 km2) of the county's total area was dedicated to agriculture.[13]
The county's entire southern border is formed by the Kentucky River. Jessamine County's river bank extends roughly 42 miles (68 km) long[14] due to meandering, and the river's scenic Palisades feature heavily along this border.
Adjacent counties
- Fayette County (northeast)
- Madison County (southeast)
- Garrard County (south)
- Mercer County (southwest)
- Woodford County (northwest)
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| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 5,461 | — | |
| 1810 | 8,377 | 53.4% | |
| 1820 | 9,297 | 11.0% | |
| 1830 | 9,960 | 7.1% | |
| 1840 | 9,396 | −5.7% | |
| 1850 | 10,249 | 9.1% | |
| 1860 | 9,465 | −7.6% | |
| 1870 | 8,638 | −8.7% | |
| 1880 | 10,864 | 25.8% | |
| 1890 | 11,248 | 3.5% | |
| 1900 | 11,925 | 6.0% | |
| 1910 | 12,613 | 5.8% | |
| 1920 | 12,205 | −3.2% | |
| 1930 | 12,431 | 1.9% | |
| 1940 | 12,174 | −2.1% | |
| 1950 | 12,458 | 2.3% | |
| 1960 | 13,625 | 9.4% | |
| 1970 | 17,430 | 27.9% | |
| 1980 | 26,146 | 50.0% | |
| 1990 | 30,508 | 16.7% | |
| 2000 | 39,041 | 28.0% | |
| 2010 | 48,586 | 24.4% | |
| 2020 | 52,991 | 9.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 55,017 | [15] | 3.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[16] 1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18] 1990-2000[19] 2010-2020[1] | |||
As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 39,041 people, 13,867 households, and 10,663 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 per square mile (87/km2). There were 14,646 housing units at an average density of 85 per square mile (33/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.44% White, 3.13% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,867 households, out of which 38.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.10% were non-families. 18.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.05.
The age distribution was 26.40% under the age of 18, 11.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 9.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,096, and the median income for a family was $46,152. Males had a median income of $32,340 versus $23,771 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,842. About 8.40% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.70% of those under age 18 and 9.90% of those age 65 or over.
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The Lexington Area MPO is responsible for transportation planning for Fayette and Jessamine counties. This includes activities such as carpool matching, administering a commuter vanpool program, air quality forecasting, bicycle and pedestrian planning, congestion management, and developing transportation plans and documents.
Cities
- Nicholasville (county seat)
- Wilmore
Census-designated place
Other communities
Jessamine County Schools provides public education.[21][22]
Elementary schools
Middle schools
Middle/High School
High schools
Adult Education
Post-secondary institutions
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| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 17,854 | 66.91% | 8,303 | 31.11% | 528 | 1.98% |
| 2020 | 17,096 | 65.05% | 8,567 | 32.60% | 617 | 2.35% |
| 2016 | 15,474 | 66.34% | 6,144 | 26.34% | 1,708 | 7.32% |
| 2012 | 14,233 | 68.98% | 6,001 | 29.08% | 399 | 1.93% |
| 2008 | 13,711 | 67.83% | 6,236 | 30.85% | 267 | 1.32% |
| 2004 | 12,972 | 69.82% | 5,476 | 29.47% | 132 | 0.71% |
| 2000 | 10,074 | 66.89% | 4,633 | 30.76% | 354 | 2.35% |
| 1996 | 6,686 | 54.76% | 4,428 | 36.27% | 1,096 | 8.98% |
| 1992 | 6,474 | 52.47% | 3,764 | 30.50% | 2,101 | 17.03% |
| 1988 | 7,057 | 69.76% | 2,955 | 29.21% | 104 | 1.03% |
| 1984 | 7,081 | 74.10% | 2,379 | 24.90% | 96 | 1.00% |
| 1980 | 4,809 | 56.38% | 3,310 | 38.80% | 411 | 4.82% |
| 1976 | 3,081 | 51.32% | 2,795 | 46.55% | 128 | 2.13% |
| 1972 | 3,819 | 72.91% | 1,269 | 24.23% | 150 | 2.86% |
| 1968 | 2,338 | 45.46% | 1,334 | 25.94% | 1,471 | 28.60% |
| 1964 | 1,968 | 43.44% | 2,485 | 54.86% | 77 | 1.70% |
| 1960 | 2,787 | 57.95% | 2,022 | 42.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 2,340 | 51.39% | 2,072 | 45.51% | 141 | 3.10% |
| 1952 | 2,193 | 45.76% | 2,578 | 53.80% | 21 | 0.44% |
| 1948 | 1,414 | 34.99% | 2,301 | 56.94% | 326 | 8.07% |
| 1944 | 1,790 | 42.14% | 2,426 | 57.11% | 32 | 0.75% |
| 1940 | 1,837 | 39.15% | 2,815 | 60.00% | 40 | 0.85% |
| 1936 | 2,066 | 42.15% | 2,813 | 57.38% | 23 | 0.47% |
| 1932 | 1,710 | 37.21% | 2,873 | 62.52% | 12 | 0.26% |
| 1928 | 2,857 | 55.45% | 2,295 | 44.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 2,144 | 45.00% | 2,470 | 51.85% | 150 | 3.15% |
| 1920 | 2,349 | 41.29% | 3,206 | 56.35% | 134 | 2.36% |
| 1916 | 1,326 | 42.53% | 1,727 | 55.39% | 65 | 2.08% |
| 1912 | 895 | 31.72% | 1,506 | 53.37% | 421 | 14.92% |
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