Jessamine County

Part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is within the Inner Blue Grass region, long a center of farming and thoroughbred horse breeding. The legislature established a commercial wine industry here in the late 18th century.

• County — Jessamine County • State — Kentucky • Founded — December 19, 1798 • Seat Wl — Nicholasville • Largest City Wl — Nicholasville • Area Total Sq Mi — 175 • Area Land Sq Mi — 172 • Area Water Sq Mi — 2.4 • Area Water Percent — 1.4% • Population As Of — 2020 • Population Total — 52991 • Pop Est As Of — 2025 • Population Est — 57147 • Population Density Sq Mi — auto • Time Zone — Eastern • Website — https: jessamineky.gov/ • Named For — Jasmine flowers, Jessamine Creek • District — 6th • Leader Title — Judge/Executive • Leader Name — David West (R)

Jessamine County was established in 1798 from land given by Fayette County. Jessamine was the 36th Kentucky county in order of formation. 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. 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. 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. The Chrisman Mill Vineyards is authorized to operate and sell its product in the "dry" portion of the county.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 175 sqmi, of which 172 sqmi is land and 2.4 sqmi (1.4%) is water. In 2000, nearly 129 sqmi of the county's total area was dedicated to agriculture. The county's entire southern border is formed by the Kentucky River. Jessamine County's river bank extends roughly 42 mi long due to meandering, and the river's scenic Palisades feature heavily along this border.

• Fayette County (northeast) • Madison County (southeast) • Garrard County (south) • Mercer County (southwest) • Woodford County (northwest)

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 52,991. The median age was 37.9 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.1 males age 18 and over. The racial makeup of the county was 86.6% White, 4.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.9% from some other race, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.5% of the population. 75.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 24.7% lived in rural areas. There were 19,438 households in the county, of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 22.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 20,626 housing units, of which 5.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.2% were owner-occupied and 33.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.1%.

As of the census of 2000, there were 39,041 people, 13,867 households, and 10,663 families residing in the county. The population density was 226 /sqmi. There were 14,646 housing units at an average density of 85 /sqmi. 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.

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.

• Nicholasville (county seat) • Wilmore

• High Bridge

• Brannon Woods • Keene

Jessamine County Schools provides public education.

• Brookside Elementary • Jessamine Early Learning Village • Nicholasville Elementary • Red Oak Elementary • Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary • Warner Elementary • Wilmore Elementary

• East Jessamine Middle • West Jessamine Middle

• East Jessamine High School • West Jessamine High School • Jessamine Career and Technology Center (JCTC)

• Jessamine County Adult Education

• Asbury University • Asbury Theological Seminary

• Elected officials as of January 3, 2025 • U.S. House — |Andy Barr (R) — | • Ky. Senate — |Donald Douglas (R) — |22 • Ky. House — |Matt Lockett (R) — |39 • |Adam Moore (D) — |45 • |Kim King (R) — |55 • |Daniel Fister (R) — |56