Georgetown, Kentucky

File:Ward Hall, Georgetown, Kentucky.jpg, a Greek Revival landmark]]

Native peoples have lived along the banks of Elkhorn Creek in what is now Scott County for at least 15,000 years. At the time of European encounter, the historic Shawnee people occupied this area.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Anglo-American exploration can be dated to the late colonial period and a June 1774 surveying expedition from Fincastle County, Virginia, led by Colonel John Floyd. For his military service, he was granted a claim of {{convert|1000|acre|km2}} in the area by the state of Virginia. He named it Royal Spring but did not settle it.Kentucky Encyclopedia, [https://books.google.com/books?id=8eFSK4o--M0C&pg=PA371 p. 371]. "Georgetown". University Press of Kentucky (Lexington), 1992. Accessed July 26, 2013. John McClellan was the first English colonist to settle the area and established McClellan's Station there in 1775, but the compound was abandoned following an Indian attack on December 29, 1776.{{Cite web|url=https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/georgetown-kentucky|title=Georgetown, Kentucky|publisher=Advisory Council on Historic Protection|accessdate=26 June 2023}}

In 1782, the Baptist preacher Elijah Craig led his congregation to the site from Orange County, Virginia, and established a new settlement which he called Lebanon. This was incorporated by the Virginia legislature in 1784. At the time, Virginia claimed this territory under its colonial charter. Craig established some of the first mills west of the Appalachian Mountains along the Royal Spring Branch, where he also manufactured cloth and paper. He also founded a distillery in 1789, as well as a school called the Rittenhouse Academy. This eventually developed as Georgetown College.Georgetown College. "[http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/about/gc-history/ History]".

The city's name was changed to George Town in honor of President George Washington in 1790. When Kentucky became the 15th U.S. state in 1792 and formed Scott County, George Town became the county seat. Its name was formally changed to Georgetown in 1846.

The county developed an agricultural economy, as it was part of the fertile Bluegrass Region. Planters cultivated tobacco and hemp, and raised blooded livestock, including Thoroughbred racehorses, and cattle and sheep. During the Civil War, Kentucky stayed in the Union. Georgetown was raided by Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan twice, once on July 15, 1862, and the second time on July 10, 1864.

Following the war, the town became a railroad hub, connected to the Cincinnati Southern, the Louisville Southern, and the Frankfort & Cincinnati. The last was considered the "whiskey route" and carried much of the region's bourbon to markets along the Ohio River.

In 1896 a girl's academy was founded by the Catholic Sisters of Visitation. The school closed in 1987, and was adapted as the Cardome Centre. It previously served as a community center for the city of Georgetown, but was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Lexington in 2019.Cardome Center. "[https://cardome.org/about-us About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328120653/https://cardome.org/about-us |date=March 28, 2023 }}".{{cite web|url=https://www.news-graphic.com/news/cardome-officially-sold/article_b3bd3df0-0fa1-11ea-8c4f-5b5fbc7d9bad.html|title= Cardome officially sold|access-date=December 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128191459/https://www.news-graphic.com/news/cardome-officially-sold/article_b3bd3df0-0fa1-11ea-8c4f-5b5fbc7d9bad.html|archive-date=November 28, 2019|url-status=live}}

Throughout the 20th century, Georgetown has been in transition from an economy based primarily on agriculture, to one mixing manufacturing, small business, and the family farm. During the 1960s, the construction of Interstate 75 placed the city on one of the nation's busiest highways. The selection of Georgetown as the site of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in 1985 has resulted in the greatest period of growth in the city's history.{{Cite web|url=https://georgetownky.com/about-us|title=Georgetown/Scott County KY History|publisher=Georgetown/Scott County Tourism|accessdate=26 June 2023}}

The historic Ward Hall, now home to The Ward Hall Preservation Foundation, is located just outside Georgetown. Ward Hall was the summer home of Junius Ward.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wardhall.net/|title=Welcome to Ward Hall|publisher=Ward Hall|accessdate=26 June 2023}} The home represents the height of the Greek Revival period of architecture in Kentucky and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).{{Cite web|url=https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/346|title=Ward Hall|accessdate=26 June 2023}}

The Georgetown business section has a historic district known as the Oxford Historic District. It is also listed on the NRHP.{{NRHP url|id=79001031|title=}}

Georgetown is located north of Lexington in the Bluegrass region of the state. Major highways that run through the city include Interstate 75 and US Routes 25, 62, and 460. Numerous state highways run through the city. I-75 runs to the east of downtown, with access from exits 125, 126, 127, and 129. Via I-75, downtown Lexington is {{convert|16|mi|km|abbr=on}} south, and Cincinnati, Ohio is {{convert|69|mi|km|abbr=on}} north. US 25 runs through the center of town, leading south to Lexington and north {{convert|22|mi|km|abbr=on}} to Corinth. US 62 runs along the southern and eastern part of the city as a bypass, leading northeast {{convert|21|mi|km|abbr=on}} to Cynthiana and southwest {{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on}} to Midway. US 460 runs east−west through the town, leading east {{convert|17|mi|km|abbr=on}} to Paris and west {{convert|18|mi|km|abbr=on}} to Frankfort, the state capital.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|15.85|sqmi|km2|0}}, all land.

Georgetown has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with warm summers and moderately cold winters. Precipitation is relatively well spread (although the late spring and summer months are typically wetter), with an average of {{convert|45.28|in|mm|abbr=on}}.

{{Weather box

|single line= Yes

|location = Georgetown, Kentucky

|Jan high F = 41

|Feb high F = 46

|Mar high F = 55

|Apr high F = 66

|May high F = 74

|Jun high F = 83

|Jul high F = 86

|Aug high F = 86

|Sep high F = 79

|Oct high F = 68

|Nov high F = 55

|Dec high F = 44

|year high F = 65

|Jan low F = 25

|Feb low F = 28

|Mar low F = 36

|Apr low F = 45

|May low F = 54

|Jun low F = 63

|Jul low F = 66

|Aug low F = 65

|Sep low F = 58

|Oct low F = 47

|Nov low F = 37

|Dec low F = 28

|year low F = 46

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.20

|Feb precipitation inch = 3.31

|Mar precipitation inch = 4.07

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.60

|May precipitation inch = 5.26

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.44

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.65

|Aug precipitation inch = 3.25

|Sep precipitation inch = 2.91

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.13

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.53

|Dec precipitation inch = 3.93

|year precipitation inch = 45.28

|source 1 = The Weather Channel{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/wxclimatology/monthly/40324|title=Monthly Averages for Georgetown KY|publisher=The Weather Channel|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713203244/http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/wxclimatology/monthly/40324|archive-date=July 13, 2014}}

|date=March 2013

}}

{{US Census population

|1800= 348

|1810= 529

|1830= 1344

|1840= 1511

|1860= 1684

|1870= 1570

|1880= 2061

|1900= 3823

|1910= 4533

|1920= 3903

|1930= 4229

|1940= 4420

|1950= 5516

|1960= 6986

|1970= 8629

|1980= 10972

|1990= 11414

|2000= 18080

|2010= 29098

|2020= 37086

|estyear=2023

|estimate=39462

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=May 17, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 17, 2023}}

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=July 5, 2022}}
2020 Census

}}

As of the census of 2010, there were 29,098 people 10,733 households, and 7,452 families in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,836.4|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 11,957 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 87.5% White, 7.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 1.9% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.3% of the population.

There were 10,733 households, out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.6% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.

The age distribution was 27.9% under 18 and 8.3% who were 65 or older. The median age was 31.7 years. The median income for a household in the city was $51,692. The per capita income for the city was $24,376. About 13.9% of the population was below the poverty line.

File:2012 Toyota Camry SE -- 02-29-2012.JPG, is manufactured in Georgetown]]

According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web|title=Georgetown/Scott County 2018 Community Profile|url=https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/1fe1af_7f08e7941437440991fef91c2877282d.pdf|publisher=Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce|access-date=May 23, 2019}} the largest employers in the city are:

Georgetown is home to Toyota Stadium. Toyota Stadium hosts Georgetown College's Football Team and Lexington SC.

Lexington SC is a club of the third-division of the professional soccer league, USL League One.

File:Toyota Stadium.png

File:GeorgetownCollegeKY1.jpg on campus of Georgetown College.]]

Georgetown College is a private liberal arts college located in the downtown area of Georgetown. Baptist Seminary of Kentucky is a seminary in Georgetown.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Public education in Georgetown and Scott County consists of a preschool center serving special needs and economically at-risk students aged 3–5, nine elementary schools (grades K–5), three middle schools (grades 6–8) and two high schools (grades 9–12). These schools are all part of the Scott County Schools system. Plans had been in progress for an additional high school and middle school within the city limits during the 2010s due to the expanding population. The district chose not to build a new middle school, opting instead to expand one of its three existing middle schools, but opened a new high school and a new elementary school in 2019.{{cite press release|url=https://www.scott.kyschools.us/News/redistrictinginfo#sthash.b2GGTG5R.dpbs |title=Redistricting Plan Approved |publisher=Scott County Schools |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=April 25, 2019}}{{cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/counties/scott-county/article194317379.html |title=Scott County unveils school redistricting proposal. Here’s what you need to know about it. |first=Trey |last=Crumbie |newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader |location=Lexington, KY |date=January 11, 2018 |access-date=May 13, 2018}} Elkhorn Crossing School, which had been a detached campus of Scott County High before the 2019 opening of Great Crossing High School, provides some sophomores and juniors at both high schools with a curriculum that integrates academic and career-based disciplines. {{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Public schools located within Georgetown and Scott County include:{{Cite web|url=https://www.scott.kyschools.us/schools|title=Schools|publisher=Scott County Schools|accessdate=26 June 2023}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Creekside Elementary School
• Garth Elementary
• Northern Elementary
• Southern Elementary
• Eastern Elementary
• Western Elementary
• Anne Mason Elementary
• Stamping Ground Elementary
• Lemons Mill Elementary
• Royal Spring Middle School
• Georgetown Middle School
• Scott County Middle School
• Great Crossing High School
• Scott County High School
• Phoenix Horizon Academy

{{div col end}}

Private education in Georgetown and Scott County includes St. John elementary and middle school, Providence Christian Academy elementary and middle school, and Keystone Montessori elementary school.

Georgetown also has a lending library, the Scott County Public Library.{{cite web |title=Kentucky Public Library Directory |url=https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202017/https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=June 7, 2019 |publisher=Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives}}

Georgetown's newspaper, the Georgetown News-Graphic, prints on Tuesday and Friday. Residents of the area commonly subscribe to this locally geared newspaper in addition to the larger Lexington daily newspaper, the Lexington Herald-Leader.[http://www.news-graphic.com/ Georgetown News-Graphic]. Accessed May 13, 2013.

Z-Rock 103.3 FM WXZZ Georgetown is a 24/7/365 classic rock/new rock radio station.

Georgetown has one hospital, Georgetown Community Hospital, operated by LifePoint Health.

UK HealthCare and Baptist Health Lexington have regional campuses in Georgetown. Georgetown also has many nursing facilities, including Signature HealthCARE of Georgetown, Windsor Gardens Retirement Community, Dover Manor Nursing Home, and Ashton Grove Assisted Living. {{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

• William E. Applegate (1851–1928) – thoroughbred bookmaker, breeder, racer and track owner. Born in Georgetown.
• Mike Ayers (1948– ) – former football coach for East Tennessee State University and Wofford College
• Benjamin Franklin Bradley (1825−1897) – politician, representative to the Confederate States Congress from Kentucky. Born in Georgetown.
• Mary Cyrene Burch Breckinridge (1826–1907) – wife of Vice President John C. Breckinridge. Born in Georgetown.
• Stephen G. Burbridge (1831–1894) – U.S. Army major general during the Civil War. Born in Georgetown.
• Benjamin T. Cable (1853–1923) – politician, US Representative from Illinois. Born in Georgetown.
• J. Campbell Cantrill (1870–1923) – politician, US Representative from Kentucky. Born in Georgetown.
• James E. Cantrill (1839–1908) – politician, Lt. Governor of Kentucky, judge
• Jean Murrell Capers (1913−2017) - Ohio state judge and Cleveland City Council member. Born in Georgetown.
• Patricia Cooksey (1958– ) – jockey and horse racing commentator
• Joe Cowley (baseball) (1958– ) – former Major League Baseball pitcher, who threw a no-hitter
• Elijah Craig (1738−1808) – early Baptist preacher, educator and entrepreneur; worked on protecting religious freedom with James Madison of Virginia
• Basil W. Duke (1838−1916) – lawyer and Confederate general officer during the Civil War. Born in Georgetown.
• Sandford C. Faulkner (1803–1874) – composer of the song "The Arkansas Traveler". Born in Georgetown.
• James Marion Frost (1848–1916) – pastor and author. Born in Georgetown.
• A. W. Hamilton (1980− ) – head men's basketball coach at Eastern Kentucky University
• William H. Hatch (1833−1896) – politician, US Representative from Missouri. Born in Georgetown.
• John Hunter Herndon (1813–1878) – Texas lawyer, judge and railroad president. Born in Georgetown.
• Harrison E. Howe (1881–1942) – chemical engineer, editor and author. Born in Georgetown.
• Tom L. Johnson (1854−1911) – US Representative from Ohio 1891–95, Mayor of Cleveland 1901–1909. Born in Georgetown.
• James McHall Jones (1823–1851) – US District Judge. Born in Georgetown.
• Larry D (1984– ) – professional wrestler and promoter
• Broadus Mitchell (1892–1988) – historian, author and professor. Born in Georgetown.
• Fountain E. Pitts (1808–1874) – influential Methodist minister. Born in Georgetown.
• Charles Edward Pogue (1950– ) – screenwriter, playwright and actor
• Dale Polley (1965– ) – former Major League Baseball pitcher
• Phillip Pratt (1955– ) – politician in the Kentucky House of Representatives from the 62nd district
• Ryan Quarles (1983– ) – president, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, former two-term Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, former state representative, 2023 candidate for governor
• Dallas Robinson (1982– ) − 2014 Olympian-soldier; sole Olympian from Kentucky in the Sochi Russia Games
• James Fisher Robinson (1800−1882) – politician, 22nd Governor of Kentucky. Federal governor during the Civil War. Cardome in Georgetown was his family home.
• John McCracken Robinson (1794−1893) – politician, US Senator from Illinois. Born in Georgetown.
• Jackson Showalter (1859–1935) – five-time U.S. chess champion
• Nellie Showalter (1870–1946) – American women's chess champion
• Gustavus Woodson Smith (1821−1896) – General in the Confederate Army during the Civil War; Confederate Secretary of War in 1862
• Hayden Stevenson (1877–1952) – film actor. Born in Georgetown.
• Barton W. Stone (1772−1844) – Presbyterian and Restorationist preacher of the Second Great Awakening
• Steve Zahn (1967− ) – actor; lives on a farm in Scott County.

File:City Hall; Georgetown, Kentucky.JPG|Georgetown City Hall

File:Scott County Courthouse; Scott County, Kentucky.jpg|Scott County Courthouse

File:Royal Spring1.jpg|Royal Spring

File:Cardome3.JPG|Cardome Centre

File:Georgetown & Scott Co Museum.jpg|Georgetown & Scott County Museum

File:Yuko-En on the Elkhorn, Tokugawa Gates.jpg|Yuko-En on the Elkhorn

Georgetown has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:

• {{flagdeco|Japan}} Tahara, Aichi, Japan{{cite web|url=http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=23&n=Aichi%20Prefecture|title=International Exchange|work=List of Affiliation Partners within Prefectures|publisher=Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR)|access-date=November 21, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224052656/http://www.clair.or.jp/cgi-bin/simai/e/03.cgi?p=23&n=Aichi%20Prefecture|archive-date=December 24, 2015}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{EB1911 poster|Georgetown (Kentucky)|Georgetown, Kentucky}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.georgetownky.gov/ Official city government site]
• [http://www.georgetownky.com/ Official tourism site]
• [http://www.gtown.org/ Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce]

{{Scott County, Kentucky}}

{{Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Area}}

{{Kentucky}}

{{Kentucky county seats}}

{{KYLargestCities}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1784 establishments in Virginia

Category:Cities in Kentucky

Category:County seats in Kentucky

Category:Cities in Scott County, Kentucky

Category:Lexington–Fayette metropolitan area