RANK #485 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 19 KY · POP 54,588
1YR FORECAST: +2.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Jessamine County, Kentucky, distinguishes itself with the historic High Bridge, once the highest railroad trestle in the world, overlooking the Kentucky River. Located just south of Lexington, the county offers a blend of rural scenery and urban accessibility. Commutes to Lexington are among the shortest in the region, facilitated by US Routes 27 and 68. The community maintains a small-town feel, particularly in places like Wilmore, home to Asbury University, while Nicholasville serves as the larger county seat. The Kentucky River Palisades provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching.
Life in Jessamine County offers a balance for families and professionals, with public schools generally performing above average. Many residents own their homes, contributing to a stable community environment. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in industrial infrastructure and expansions in sectors such as animal and crop science. This development is creating new job opportunities within the county, complementing the established agricultural and equine industries.
Jessamine County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.5% runs below the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 14.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Jessamine County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Stonedale Development (Mixed-Use)
Undisclosed Developers
|
$224M | Planned |
|
Jessamine County Judicial Center
Jessamine County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Jennette Industrial Park Expansion
City of Nicholasville and Jessamine County
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Windstream Fiber-backed Network Expansion
Windstream
|
$47M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Jessamine County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#485). Median household income is $74,576 and job growth is running at +1.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Jessamine County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $268,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,124/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Jessamine County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.4% clip. Home values shifted +2.5% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.93% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Jessamine County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.