Editing Nicholasville, Kentucky

{{For|the unincorporated community in Georgia|Nicholasville, Georgia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Nicholasville, Kentucky
| settlement_type    = [[list of Ky cities|City]]
| named_for          = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Main Street in Nicholasville.jpg
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Main Street in Nicholasville, Kentucky
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = File:Jessamine County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Nicholasville Highlighted 2156136.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Nicholasville in [[Jessamine County, Kentucky]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Kentucky]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Kentucky|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Jessamine County, Kentucky|Jessamine]]
| government_footnotes = <ref name="Government: City Commission">{{cite web | url=http://nicholasville.org/government/city-commission.php | title=Government: City Commission | publisher=www.nicholasville.org | access-date=12 October 2014 | archive-date=October 15, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015025450/http://nicholasville.org/government/city-commission.php | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| government_type    = [[City commission]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Alex Carter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nicholasville.org/mayor/|title=Government|publisher=Nicholasville.org|access-date=2024-03-10}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = Commissioners
| leader_name1       = Doug Blackford<br />Betty Black<br />Alex Carter, Mayor Pro Tempore<br />Patty Teater
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = February 13, 1837<ref name=sos>Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Nicholasville, Kentucky". Accessed 15 September 2013.</ref>
<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 38.45
<!--33875850 m2-->| area_land_km2      = 38.27
<!--33699715 m2-->| area_water_km2     = 0.18
<!--176135 m2-->| area_total_sq_mi   = 14.85
<!--13.079539 mi2-->| area_land_sq_mi    = 14.78
<!--13.011533 mi2-->| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.07
<!--0.068006104 mi2-->
<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 31093
| population_density_km2 = 812.47
| population_density_sq_mi = 2104.29
<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 994
| coordinates        = {{coord|37|53|26|N|84|34|02|W|region:US-KY|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 40340, 40356
| area_code          = [[Area code 859|859]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS]] code
| blank_info         = {{FIPS|21|56136}}
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2404379<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404379}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.nicholasville.org}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| population_est     = 31955
}}
'''Nicholasville''' is a [[home rule]] city<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klc.org/UserFiles/files/ClassificationReformFACT(3).pdf |title=Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform |publisher=Kentucky League of Cities |access-date=December 30, 2014}}</ref> in and the [[county seat]] of [[Jessamine County, Kentucky|Jessamine County]], [[Kentucky]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 31,490 during the [[2020 United States census|2020 U.S. census]], making Nicholasville the 10th-largest settlement in the state.

Since the late 20th century, Nicholasville has undergone rapid growth; the population increased 440.23% between [https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1970/pc-v1/26084397v1ch2.pdf 1970] and [https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/nicholasvillecitykentucky/PST045221 2020]. The city serves as both a residential area for [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]]-area commuters and as an employment and shopping center for central Kentucky.<ref>{{cite press release | title=2009 Report to the community | publisher=City of Nicholasville | page=5 | date=2009 | url=http://www.nicholasville.org/pdfs/nicholasville_report.pdf#page=5 | access-date=3 October 2014 | archive-date=January 13, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113201232/http://www.nicholasville.org/pdfs/nicholasville_report.pdf#page=5 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
Nicholasville was founded by European Americans in 1798, after the [[American Revolutionary War]], and incorporated in 1837.<ref>''Columbia-Lippincott Gazetteer'', p. 1320. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1952).</ref><ref name=sos/> The town was named in honor of Colonel [[George Nicholas (politician)|George Nicholas]], a father of the [[Kentucky Constitution]] in 1792.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IuGCoLRCN-kC&pg=PA254 | title=The WPA Guide to Kentucky | publisher=University Press of Kentucky | date=1996 | access-date=24 November 2013 | author=Federal Writers' Project | pages=254| isbn=0813108659 }}</ref>
The [[Young House (Nicholasville, Kentucky)|Young House]] in Nicholasville is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

The city has grown rapidly since the late 20th century and is working to accommodate new highways and transportation needs. Many residents commute to Lexington for work. Others are part of building Nicholasville as a center of retail services for the county.

==Geography==
Downtown Nicholasville is approximately {{convert|6|mi}} south of [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette County]]. The city serves as a logistics and commuter hub between Lexington and Nicholasville's neighboring counties, especially [[Garrard County, Kentucky|Garrard County]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|13.08|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|13.01|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.07|sqmi}}, or 0.52%, is water. Some artificial ponds, including Lake Mingo (named after the Native American [[Mingo people]]), are present in the city.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://njcpr.org/parks-and-pictures.html | title=NJCPR: Parks & Pictures | publisher=Nicholasville/Jessamine County Parks & Recreation | access-date=13 October 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815110409/http://njcpr.org/parks-and-pictures.html | archive-date=15 August 2014 }}</ref> Town Fork, a partially [[river engineering#Channelization|channelized]] stream, runs south and passes underneath downtown, eventually draining into Jessamine Creek.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.uky.edu/WaterResources/Watershed/KRB_AR/jessamine_creek.htm | title=Kentucky River Basin Assessment Report: Jessamine Creek | publisher=Kentucky Water Research Institute - University of Kentucky | date=August 2000 | access-date=13 October 2014}}</ref>

===Climate===
Nicholasville is in the northern periphery of the [[humid subtropical climate]] zone,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://maps.howstuffworks.com/united-states-climate-map.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210172624/http://maps.howstuffworks.com/united-states-climate-map.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 December 2007 | title=Map of American climate zones | access-date=13 October 2014 }}</ref> with hot and humid summers, cool winters, and occasional mild periods, especially in [[autumn]]. The city and the surrounding [[Bluegrass region]] have four distinct seasons that include cool plateau breezes, moderate nights in the summer, and no prolonged periods of rain, snow, or other severe weather.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1810 = 158
| 1830 = 408
| 1840 = 632
| 1860 = 800
| 1870 = 1089
| 1880 = 2303
| 1890 = 2157
| 1900 = 2393
| 1910 = 2935
| 1920 = 2786
| 1930 = 3128
| 1940 = 3192
| 1950 = 3406
| 1960 = 4275
| 1970 = 5829
| 1980 = 10400
| 1990 = 13603
| 2000 = 19680
| 2010 = 28015
| 2020 = 31093
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 31955
| estref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-05-14|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 31,490 people, 11,244 households, and 7,503 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2141.9|/sqmi}}. There were 11,405 housing units at an average density of {{convert|872.0|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90% [[White American|White]] (87.5% [[Non-Hispanic Whites|non-Hispanic]]), 5.2% [[African American]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 1.4% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.0% [[Pacific Islands American|Pacific Islander]], 1.2% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|other races]], and 2.6% from [[Multiracial American|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 3.5% of the population.

There were 11,244 households, out of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.5% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

According to Census Bureau data for 2011 from the [[American Community Survey]]'s five-year estimates, the median income for a household in the city was $43,453, and the median income for a family was $52,419. Full-time male workers had a median income of $37,954 versus $33,330 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $19,526. About 14.5% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
The city is home to the Kentucky Wine and Vine Fest.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.kywineandvine.com/index.htm | title=Kentucky Wine and Vine homepage | publisher=www.kywineandvine.com | access-date=3 October 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083719/http://www.kywineandvine.com/index.htm | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> The annual festival showcases [[wines]] from commercial [[vineyards]] and amateur [[winemakers]] from across Kentucky and the surrounding region. In 2014, it was named as the "Official Wine Festival of Kentucky" by the [[Kentucky General Assembly]].<ref>{{cite press release | title=2014 Press Release | publisher=www.kywineandvine.com | date=23 April 2014 | url=http://www.kywineandvine.com/images/pdf/2014/2014_Press_Release.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113161647/http://www.kywineandvine.com/images/pdf/2014/2014_Press_Release.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 January 2016 | access-date=3 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title =Nicholasville NOW!: Kentucky Wine & Vine Fest named a Top 10 Festival | publisher =www.nicholasvillenow.org | url =http://www.nicholasvillenow.org/news.htm | access-date =3 October 2014 | url-status =usurped | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20141006110916/http://www.nicholasvillenow.org/news.htm | archive-date =6 October 2014 }}</ref> Nicholasville is near [[Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument]] and [[Camp Nelson National Cemetery]].

==Government==
[[File:Jessamine County Kentucky Courthouse.jpg|thumb|upright|Jessamine County Courthouse]]
The Nicholasville government operates under a non-partisan [[City commission government|city commission]], which exercises both executive and legislative powers. The commission is composed of a mayor and four commissioners; all are elected [[at-large]], requiring each candidate to gain the support of the majority of the electorate. In addition, the four commissioners are elected to manage particular city departments. They serve two-year terms; the mayor is elected to a four-year term.<ref name="Government: City Commission"/> The commission wields all executive, legislative, and administrative powers.

In 2012, there was a proposal on the ballot to change the form of city government to that of a [[mayor–council government]], in order to separate the legislative and executive functions, but the proposal was defeated.<ref>[http://www.icma.org "Form of Government Change Campaigns, 2003–2012"], International City/County Management Association; accessed 18 August 2016</ref><ref name="black">[http://www.centralkynews.com/jessaminejournal/news/election_2014/nicholasville-city-commission-betty-black/article_deedfd62-b4f7-11e3-aeb0-001a4bcf6878.html "Nicholasville City Commission: Betty Black"]{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''Jessamine Journal'', 26 March 2014; accessed 18 August 2016</ref>

Commissioners draft and pass laws and, by managing their respective departments, ensure the laws are carried out efficiently. The mayor administers oaths, signs documents on the city's behalf, and conducts commission meetings. As a member of the commission, the mayor has legislative powers equal to that of the commissioners. Commission meetings take place twice monthly.<ref name="Government: City Commission"/>

==Education==
Jessamine County Schools provides public education.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.jessamine.k12.ky.us/Schools | title = Jessamine County Schools | website = www.jessamine.k12.ky.us | access-date = 2016-02-28 | archive-date = March 6, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160306031132/http://www.jessamine.k12.ky.us/Schools | url-status = dead }}</ref>  Nicholasville Elementary School is located in the city.<ref>{{cite web | title = Nicholasville Elementary School | publisher = Jessamine County Schools | url = http://www.jessamine.k12.ky.us/6/Home | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150222070900/http://www.jessamine.k12.ky.us/6/Home | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 22, 2015 | access-date = September 30, 2017 }}</ref> Students go to schools in the county for middle and high school grades.

Other elementary schools in the city include: Brookside Elementary School, Red Oak Elementary School, Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary School, and Warner Elementary School. 

The Hattie C. Warner Elementary School on Wilmore Road is named after local teacher Hattie Catherine Warner (1886–1963) who taught for 46 years in Jessamine County. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1913 and is buried in the Maple Grove cemetery.<ref>{{cite web |title=School history |url=https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/war/Content2/188 |website=Warner Elementary School |access-date=8 July 2020 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609211436/https://www.jessamine.kyschools.us/war/Content2/188 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Nicholasville has a [[public library|lending library]], the Jessamine County Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202017/https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 January 2019 | title=Kentucky Public Library Directory | publisher=Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives | access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
====U.S. highways====
* [[U.S. Route 27]] is a major north–south artery. A four-lane arterial highway with a center-turning lane serves drivers from the Lexington city limits to the Business US 27 intersection north of the city center. US 27 diverts to the western edge of the city center on a four-lane, controlled-access bypass and continues south of the city toward the [[Kentucky River]].

====State routes====
* [[Kentucky Route 29]] is an east–west two-lane highway that stretches from the western fringes of the city west of the U.S. 27 bypass to Business U.S. 27 in downtown Nicholasville. It is known as Wilmore Road west of U.S. 27 and east of Maple Street.
* [[Kentucky Route 39]] is a north–south highway that stretches from the farms south of the city before concluding at Business U.S. 27 at downtown. It is known as Maple Street, and as Sulphur Well Road and then Lancaster Road.
* [[Kentucky Route 169]] is an east–west highway that cuts through the city center. It has intersections with U.S. 27 and Business U.S. 27. It is known as Keene Road northwest of the city center, then 3rd Street, Richmond Road and Union Mills Road on the east side.
* Kentucky Route 1980 is known as Ash Grove Road and travels into Fayette County to the east. It departs from U.S. 27 just south of the Lexington city limits.
* Kentucky Route 3375 traverses west of U.S. 27, north of the city center, and is known as Catnip Hill Road.

==Notable people==
*[[Richard J. Corman]], founder of R.J Corman Railroad Group<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2011/03/07/the-ballad-of-richard-jay-corman/|title=The ballad of Richard Jay Corman}}</ref>
*[[Charles K. Duncan]], U.S. Navy admiral
*[[Lee Thomas Miller]], country songwriter
*[[John Michael Montgomery]], musician
*[[Lena Madesin Phillips]], lawyer
*[[John C. Watts]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]]
*[[Bennett H. Young]], Confederate officer involved in the [[St. Albans Raid]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Portal|Kentucky}}

==External links==
* [http://nicholasville.org/ Welcome to Nicholasville.org - The Official Website of Nicholasville, Kentucky]

{{Jessamine County, Kentucky}}
{{Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Area}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky county seats}}
{{KYLargestCities}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Nicholasville, Kentucky|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Jessamine County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:County seats in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Lexington–Fayette metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1798]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1837]]