Nicholasville
RANK #204 / 996 NAT · #4 / 19 KY · POP 53,381
1YR FORECAST: +1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
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.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
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 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 79/100, Jessamine County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.2%, and median household income stands at $69,905 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in KY.
Housing in Jessamine County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $226,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $972/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Jessamine County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +3.4% over the past 12 months.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.04% 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.