Nelson County, Kentucky

The fourth county created in what is now Kentucky, it was formed from Jefferson County, Kentucky in 1784, shortly after the Revolutionary War.{{cite web|url=http://www.kyenc.org/entry/n/NELSO03.html|title=Nelson County|publisher=The Kentucky Encyclopedia|year=2000|access-date=August 23, 2014|archive-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717123300/http://www.kyenc.org/entry/n/NELSO03.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZFQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA26 | title=Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky: History of Kentucky, Volume 2 | publisher=Collins & Company | author=Collins, Lewis | year=1882 | pages=26 | access-date=October 31, 2016 | archive-date=July 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720045740/https://books.google.com/books?id=gZFQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA26 | url-status=live }} The county was named for Thomas Nelson Jr., the Virginia Governor who signed the Declaration of Independence.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=luoxAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA36 | title=The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1 | publisher=Kentucky State Historical Society | year=1903 | pages=36 | access-date=October 31, 2016 | archive-date=May 14, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514062849/https://books.google.com/books?id=luoxAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA36#v=onepage&q&f=false | url-status=live }} In 1807, after Kentucky had become a state, a newly created Virginia county was named in his honor.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|424|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|418|sqmi}} are land and {{convert|6.6|sqmi}} (1.5%) are covered by water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 19, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}

• Spencer County (north)
• Anderson County (northeast)
• Washington County (east)
• Marion County (southeast)
• LaRue County (south)
• Hardin County (west)
• Bullitt County (northwest)

{{US Census population

| 1790 = 11315

| 1800 = 9866

| 1810 = 14078

| 1820 = 16273

| 1830 = 14932

| 1840 = 13637

| 1850 = 14789

| 1860 = 15799

| 1870 = 14804

| 1880 = 16609

| 1890 = 16417

| 1900 = 16587

| 1910 = 16830

| 1920 = 16137

| 1930 = 16551

| 1940 = 18004

| 1950 = 19521

| 1960 = 22168

| 1970 = 23477

| 1980 = 27584

| 1990 = 29710

| 2000 = 37477

| 2010 = 43437

| 2020 = 46738

| estyear = 2024

| estimate = 48706

| estref = {{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|access-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717060613/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-date=December 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226073904/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=live}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-date=October 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013035315/http://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt|url-status=live}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 19, 2014}} 2010–2020

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/|url-status=live}} of 2010, 43,437 people inhabited the county.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190521214830/https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |title=2010 Demographic Profile Data: Nelson County, Kentucky |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 13, 2011}} The population density was {{convert|102.4|/sqmi|/km2}}. Its 18,075 housing units averaged {{convert|42.6|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.48% White (90.93% non-Hispanic), 5.03% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. About 2.04% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 16,826 households, 36.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.09% were married couples living together, 13.19% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.35% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.37% were not families. Of all households, 24.41% were made up of individuals, and 8.09% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 25.98% under 18, 7.98% from 18 to 24, 26.47% from 25 to 44, 27.84% from 45 to 64, and 11.73% who were 65 or older. The median age was 37.7 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.

Income data for Kentucky locations from the 2010 Census have not yet been released. As of the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $39,010, and for a family was $44,600. Males had a median income of $32,015 versus $21,838 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,120. About 10.00% of families and 12.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.70% of those under age 18 and 17.40% of those age 65 or over.

Many attractions and events are available in Bardstown. The following is outside the county seat:

• Rooster Run was a general store located on Kentucky Route 245 halfway between Bardstown and Clermont, well known for baseball caps featuring its logo and a {{convert|13.5|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} fiberglass rooster statue standing in front of the store. According to The Kentucky Encyclopedia, it is "one of the best-known general stores in the country and one of Kentucky's best-known unincorporated businesses".{{cite book |last=Delong |first=Hettie |title=The Kentucky Encyclopedia |chapter=Rooster Run |editor=Kleber, John E. |others=Associate editors: Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter |year=1992 |publisher=The University Press of Kentucky |location=Lexington, Kentucky |isbn=0-8131-1772-0 |url=http://www.kyenc.org/entry/r/ROOST01.html |access-date=July 17, 2015 |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717123646/http://www.kyenc.org/entry/r/ROOST01.html |url-status=live }}

Two public school districts operate in the county:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st21_ky/schooldistrict_maps/c21179_nelson/DC20SD_C21179.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726013649/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st21_ky/schooldistrict_maps/c21179_nelson/DC20SD_C21179.pdf|archive-date=July 26, 2022|url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Nelson County, KY|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}} – [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st21_ky/schooldistrict_maps/c21179_nelson/DC20SD_C21179_SD2MS.txt Text list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726013649/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st21_ky/schooldistrict_maps/c21179_nelson/DC20SD_C21179_SD2MS.txt |date=July 26, 2022 }} – For more detailed boundaries of the independent school districts see: {{cite web |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/lrc/publications/ResearchReports/RR415.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210175230/https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/lrc/publications/ResearchReports/RR415.pdf |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |url-status=live |title=Appendix B: Maps Of Independent School Districts In Operation In FY 2014-FY 2015 Using 2005 Tax District Boundaries – Bardstown ISD |work=Research Report No. 415 – Kentucky's Independent School Districts: A Primer |publisher=Office of Education Accountability, Legislative Research Commission |location=Frankfort, KY |page=90 (PDF p. 104/174) |date=September 15, 2015 }}

• The Nelson County School District serves K–12 students throughout the county, with the exception of most of the city of Bardstown and developed areas near the city limits. The district operates two K–8 schools, two elementary schools, two middle schools, an alternative school, a vocational-technical school, and two high schools.
• The Bardstown City Schools serve students in most of the city of Bardstown, as well as much of the developed area immediately adjacent to the city limits. However, some areas of the city are instead served by the Nelson County district, and some of the Nelson County schools are physically within the Bardstown district. The district operates a preschool, an ungraded primary school (K–2), one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. The preschool and primary school occupy separate buildings on adjacent plots of land in the north of the city, and the other schools are adjacent to one another near downtown.

Several private schools also operate in the county. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville operates five schools in all—three K–8 schools, a fourth that educates grades 1 through 8, and one high school. Several Protestant-affiliated schools also exist.

{{PresHead|place=Nelson County, Kentucky|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=July 5, 2018|archive-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323225526/https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|url-status=live}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|16,052|6,515|285|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|15,703|7,188|365|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|13,431|6,434|937|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|10,673|7,611|249|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|10,139|7,654|353|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|10,161|6,524|159|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|7,714|5,481|293|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|4,645|5,392|1,122|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,495|5,437|1,740|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,283|4,788|108|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|6,044|4,199|76|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,349|5,514|251|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,804|4,454|246|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,495|2,828|205|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|2,373|3,420|1,123|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,683|5,586|27|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|3,021|4,713|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,107|3,240|18|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|3,064|3,417|13|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,715|3,556|130|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,136|3,648|27|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,109|4,193|8|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,913|4,234|211|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,100|5,272|29|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|2,926|4,031|3|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,082|3,863|79|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|2,945|5,061|27|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,546|2,639|35|Kentucky}}

{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|751|2,275|758|Kentucky}}

The county voted "No" on 2022 Kentucky Amendment 2, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 51% to 49% despite backing Donald Trump with 68% of the vote to Joe Biden's 31% in the 2020 presidential election.{{cite web |title=November 8, 2022 - Official 2022 General Election Results |url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/2020-2029/Documents/2022%20General%20Election%20results.pdf |publisher=Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections |access-date=December 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224001202/https://elect.ky.gov/results/2020-2029/Documents/2022%20General%20Election%20results.pdf |archive-date=December 24, 2022}}

On March 5, 2025, current Nelson County Sheriff Nelson Pineiora and Chief Deputy Brandon Bryan were each indicted on felony charges involving of public trust, theft by deception and official misconduct.{{cite news|url=https://www.wlky.com/article/nelson-county-sheriff-deputy-kentucky-charges-pineiroa-bryan/64057969|title=Nelson County sheriff, second-in-command indicted on felony charges|first=Alex|last=Suckow|publisher=WLKY|date=March 5, 2025|accessdate=March 5, 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/crime-reports/nelson-county-sheriff-chief-deputy-indicted-on-multiple-charges/article_2bd50936-fa0b-11ef-9f67-2b11ef8ca3ff.html|title=Nelson County sheriff, chief deputy indicted on multiple charges|publisher=WDRB|date=March 5, 2025|accessdate=March 5, 2025}} Deputy Chief Bryan would also receive an additional charge of forgery. The charges stem from their role in an illegal sale of at least three vehicles from a local evidence warehouse.

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• William Beall; general in the Confederate Army
• J. C. W. Beckham; Governor of Kentucky
• Linda Bruckheimer; novelist and historic preservation activist
• Joseph Seamon Cotter Sr.; poet
• Henry Pierson Crowe; US Marine
• Ephraim H. Foster; Senator of Tennessee
• James B. Graham; Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts
• Benjamin E. Grey; Congressman
• Joseph Hanks; great-grandfather of US President Abraham Lincoln
• Ben Johnson (politician); lawyer and congressman
• Silvester Johnson; merchant
• Monique Jones; professional bodybuilder
• Virgil Livers; football cornerback
• James Love (Kentucky politician); congressman
• Joseph N. McCormack; surgeon
• Thomas Merton; monk
• Zachariah Montgomery; lawyer and politician
• Charles S. Morehead; congressman and governor of Kentucky
• Felix Newton Pitt; monsignor
• Daniel Rudd; catholic journalist and civil rights leader
• Catherine Spalding; religious leader
• Horace Speed; pioneer and district attorney
• Stith Thompson; scholar of folklore
• Bryan Young (politician); congressman
• William Singleton Young; congressman

{{div col end}}

• Bardstown (county seat)
• Bloomfield
• Fairfield
• New Haven

• Boston
• Chaplin
• New Hope

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Balltown
• Bellwood
• Cedar Creek
• Coxs Creek
• Culvertown
• Deatsville
• Gethsemane
• Greenbrier
• Highgrove
• Howardstown
• Icetown
• Lenore
• Nazareth
• Samuels
• Saint Thomas
• Trappist
• Woodlawn

{{div col end}}

{{Portal|Kentucky}}

• Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Nelson County, Kentucky
• Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book |editor-last=Davis |editor-first=William C. |editor-link=William C. Davis (historian) |date=1990 |title=Diary of a Confederate Soldier: John S. Jackman of the Orphan Brigade |series=American Military History |location=Columbia, South Carolina |publisher=University of South Carolina Press |pages=[https://archive.org/details/diaryofconfedera00jack/page/12 12–17, 169] |isbn=0-87249-695-3 |lccn=90012431 |oclc=906557161 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/diaryofconfedera00jack/page/12 }}

{{Commons category|Nelson County, Kentucky}}

; Government

• {{Official website|https://nelsoncountyky.gov/}}

; General information

• [https://www.bardstownchamber.com/ Bardstown-Nelson County Chamber of Commerce]
• {{osmrelation-inline|1846570}}
• [https://www.ncplky.org/ Nelson County Public Library]

{{Nelson County, Kentucky}}

{{Kentucky}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|37.80|-85.47|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Kentucky counties

Category:1784 establishments in Virginia

Category:Louisville metropolitan area

Category:Populated places established in 1784

Category:Former counties of Virginia