View source for Jessamine County, Kentucky

{{short description|County in Kentucky, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county               = Jessamine County
| state                = Kentucky
| seal                 =
| founded year         = 1798
| founded date         =December 19
| seat wl              = Nicholasville
| largest city wl      = Nicholasville
| area_total_sq_mi     = 175
| area_land_sq_mi      = 172
| area_water_sq_mi     = 2.4
| area percentage      = 1.4%
| census yr            = 2020
| pop                  = 52991
| pop_est_as_of        = 2023
| population_est       = 55017 {{increase}}
| density_sq_mi        = auto
| time zone            = Eastern
| footnotes            =
| web                  = www.jessamineco.com
| named for            = [[Jessamine Creek/Jessamine Douglass]]
| ex image             = Jessamine County Kentucky Courthouse.jpg
| ex image cap         = Jessamine County courthouse in Nicholasville
| district             = 6th
}}
'''Jessamine County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|dʒ|ɛ|s|ə|m|ᵻ|n}}) is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Kentucky]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 52,991.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/jessaminecountykentucky/PST045221|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 6, 2022}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Nicholasville, Kentucky|Nicholasville]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509170006/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 9, 2015 }}</ref> The county was founded in December 1798.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kyenc.org/entry/j/JESSA01.html |title=Jessamine County |publisher=Kyenc.org |access-date=April 16, 2013 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717122419/http://www.kyenc.org/entry/j/JESSA01.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jessamine County is part of the [[Lexington-Fayette]], KY [[Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area|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.
==History==
Jessamine County was established in 1798 from land given by [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette County]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Lewis|title=History of Kentucky|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F5FQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA396|year=1877|page=396|publisher=Library Reprints, Incorporated |isbn=9780722249208}}</ref> Jessamine was the 36th [[list of Kentucky counties|Kentucky county]] in order of formation.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZFQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA26 | title=Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky: History of Kentucky, Volume 2 | publisher=Collins & Company | author=Collins, Lewis | year=1882 | pages=26}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=10cUAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Jessamine+Douglass%22+suicide|title=Counties USA: A Directory of United States Counties|date=July 6, 2006|publisher=Omnigraphics, Incorporated|isbn=9780780808218|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ | title=The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1 | publisher=Kentucky State Historical Society | year=1903 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ/page/n35 35]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n168 169]}}</ref> 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, Kentucky|Nicholasville]] and the first in the United States, known as First Vineyard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstvineyard.net/history.html|title=History|website=www.firstvineyard.net|access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Musgrave |first=Beth |last2=Estep |first2=Bill |date=November 5, 2020 |title=Booze won big. Jessamine County among several KY places to vote ‘wet’ by wide margins |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/jessamine-county/article246946962.html |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=Lexington Herald Leader}}</ref> The Chrisman Mill Vineyards is authorized to operate and sell its product in the "dry" portion of the county.<ref name=KYABC>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/88403470-8A7E-410C-9816-8B520F7649C8/0/WetDryList.pdf |title=Wet & Dry Counties in Kentucky |publisher=Kentucky Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control |access-date=March 21, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315092139/http://www.abc.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/88403470-8A7E-410C-9816-8B520F7649C8/0/WetDryList.pdf |archive-date=March 15, 2007 }}</ref>
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|175|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|172|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.4|sqmi}} (1.4%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 16, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}</ref> In 2000, nearly {{convert|129|sqmi}} of the county's total area was dedicated to agriculture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.ca.uky.edu/anr/County%20Comprehensive%20Plans/2008%20Comp%20Plans/Jessamine%20Co%20Comprehensive%20Plan.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222037/http://www2.ca.uky.edu/anr/County%20Comprehensive%20Plans/2008%20Comp%20Plans/Jessamine%20Co%20Comprehensive%20Plan.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=live |title=Jessamine County Agriculture Board Comprehensive Plan |publisher=University of Kentucky: College of Agriculture Food and Environment |date=March 10, 2008 |access-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref>
The county's entire southern border is formed by the [[Kentucky River]]. Jessamine County's river bank extends roughly {{convert|42|mi}} long<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kentuckyriverblueway.com/?page_id=50 |title=Kentucky River Blueway Project | publisher=Kentucky River Blueway | quote="Jessamine County has designated 42 miles of the Kentucky River, which is the county's southern boundary, as a Blueway Trail." | access-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> due to [[meander]]ing, and the river's scenic [[Kentucky River Palisades|Palisades]] feature heavily along this border.
===Adjacent counties===
* [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette County]]  (northeast)
* [[Madison County, Kentucky|Madison County]]  (southeast)
* [[Garrard County, Kentucky|Garrard County]]  (south)
* [[Mercer County, Kentucky|Mercer County]]  (southwest)
* [[Woodford County, Kentucky|Woodford County]]  (northwest)
==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1800 = 5461
| 1810 = 8377
| 1820 = 9297
| 1830 = 9960
| 1840 = 9396
| 1850 = 10249
| 1860 = 9465
| 1870 = 8638
| 1880 = 10864
| 1890 = 11248
| 1900 = 11925
| 1910 = 12613
| 1920 = 12205
| 1930 = 12431
| 1940 = 12174
| 1950 = 12458
| 1960 = 13625
| 1970 = 17430
| 1980 = 26146
| 1990 = 30508
| 2000 = 39041
| 2010 = 48586
| 2020 = 52991
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 55017
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html#v2023|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 14, 2024}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 16, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 39,041 people, 13,867 households, and 10,663 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|226|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 14,646 housing units at an average density of {{convert|85|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.44% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 3.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.58% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.47% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.14% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.
==Transportation==
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.
==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Nicholasville, Kentucky|Nicholasville]] (county seat)
* [[Wilmore, Kentucky|Wilmore]]
=== Census-designated place ===
* [[High Bridge, Kentucky|High Bridge]]
=== Other communities ===
* [[Brannon Woods, Kentucky|Brannon Woods]]
* [[Keene, Kentucky|Keene]]
==Education==
[https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/ Jessamine County Schools] provides public education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/|title=Home - Jessamine County Schools|website=www.jessamine.kyschools.us|access-date=July 31, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/|title=Home - Jessamine County Schools|website=www.jessamine.kyschools.us|access-date=July 31, 2019}} {{verify source |date=September 2019 |reason=This ref was deleted Special:Diff/908762468 by a bug in VisualEditor and later restored by a bot from the original cite located at Special:Permalink/908761367 cite #2 - verify the cite is accurate and delete this template. [[User:GreenC bot/Job 18]]}}</ref>
===Elementary schools===
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/5/Home Brookside Elementary]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/10/Home Jessamine Early Learning Village]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/6/Home Nicholasville Elementary]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/15/Home Red Oak Elementary]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/7/Home Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/8/Home Warner Elementary]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/9/Home Wilmore Elementary]
===Middle schools===
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/3/Home East Jessamine Middle]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/4/Home West Jessamine Middle]
===Middle/High School===
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/11/Home The Providence School]
===High schools===
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/1/Home East Jessamine High]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/2/Home West Jessamine High]
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/12/Home Jessamine Career and Technology Center (JCTC)]
===Adult Education===
* [https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/adulted/home Jessamine County Adult Education]
===Post-secondary institutions===
* [[Asbury University]]
* [[Asbury Theological Seminary]]
==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Jessamine County, Kentucky|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 9, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|17,854|8,303|487|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|17,096|8,567|617|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|15,474|6,144|1,708|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|14,233|6,001|399|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|13,711|6,236|267|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|12,972|5,476|132|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|10,074|4,633|354|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,686|4,428|1,096|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|6,474|3,764|2,101|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,057|2,955|104|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|7,081|2,379|96|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,809|3,310|411|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,081|2,795|128|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,819|1,269|150|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,338|1,334|1,471|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,968|2,485|77|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,787|2,022|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,340|2,072|141|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,193|2,578|21|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,414|2,301|326|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,790|2,426|32|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,837|2,815|40|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,066|2,813|23|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,710|2,873|12|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,857|2,295|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,144|2,470|150|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,349|3,206|134|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,326|1,727|65|Kentucky}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|895|1,506|421|Kentucky}}
==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Kentucky}}
* [[Bethel Academy]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Jessamine County, Kentucky]]
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
==External links==
* [http://www.lexareampo.org/ Official website of Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization]
* [http://www.jessamineco.com/ Official website of Jessamine County]
* [http://www.campnelson.org/ Official website of Camp Nelson Civil War Historic Site]
* [http://www.jessamine.k12.ky.us/ Jessamine County Schools]
{{Jessamine County, Kentucky}}
{{Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Area}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{Coord|37.87|-84.58|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Jessamine County, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties]]
[[Category:Lexington–Fayette metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1798 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1798]]