| County: | Nicholas County |
| State: | Kentucky |
| Founded Year: | 1799 |
| Seat Wl: | Carlisle |
| Largest City Wl: | Carlisle |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 197 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 195 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 1.7 |
| Area Percentage: | 0.8 |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
| Web: | nicholascounty.ky.gov |
| Ex Image: | Nicholas County Kentucky Courthouse.jpg |
| Ex Image Cap: | Nicholas County courthouse in Carlisle |
| Census Yr: | 2020 |
| Pop: | 7537 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Est: | 7686 |
| Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| District: | 6th |
Nicholas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,537.[1] Its county seat is Carlisle, which is also the only incorporated community in the county.[2] Founded in 1799, the county is named for Col. George Nicholas, the "Father of the Kentucky Constitution."[3] [4]
Nicholas County was established in 1799 from land given by Bourbon and Mason counties. Nicholas was the 42nd Kentucky county in order of formation.[5] The general region is known for its scenery, history, horse farms and hospitality. Nicholas County has a rural character and its countryside is typical of the Bluegrass belt with farms, wooded glades and small villages.Nicholas County is home to Forest Retreat, listed on the National Historic register as a historic district, built in 1814 by Thomas Metcalf the 10th Governor of Kentucky. The 1954 Kentucky Derby Winner “Determine” was bred and born in Nicholas County on the Forest Retreat Farm.Daniel Boone's last Kentucky home place is also located in Nicholas County, the Historic marker is located on US HWY 68 just past the traffic islands heading north. Built by Boone in 1795, Boone and his family resided in the one room cabin until 1799.Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is a park located near Mount Olivet, Kentucky in Robertson and Nicholas counties. The park encompasses and features a monument commemorating the August 19, 1782 Battle of Blue Licks.[6] The battle was regarded as the final battle of the American Revolutionary War.[7]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.8%) is water.[8]
As of the census[9] of 2010, there were 7,135 people, 2,809 households, and 1,956 families residing in the county. The population density was 35/sqmi. There were 3,261 housing units at an average density of 16/sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 97.9% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,809 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.60% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.40% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.40% under the age of 19, 4.8% from 20 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,259, and the median income for a family was $43,410. The per capita income for the county was $18,452. About 9.70% of families and 13.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 16.80% of those age 65 or over.