City · Kentucky
Nicholasville, Kentucky
Nicholasville, city, in Jessamine County, Kentucky. Nicholasville had 33,857 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 8.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 31,093 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 32,197 (±64). GEOID 2156136.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,857
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 31,093 · ACS 2020-2024: 32,197 ±64
Median household income
$68,503
±$5,682 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$226,800
±$7,997 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$1,147
±$69 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Nicholasville and what county is it in?
Nicholasville is a city in Jessamine County, Kentucky. It covers 15.2 square miles of land, 2,044 residents per square mile in 2020.
Nicholasville is in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 6 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Nicholasville, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 33,857 people lived in Nicholasville on July 1, 2025, up 8.8% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 31,093 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 32,197 (±64).
| Measure | Nicholasville | Jessamine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 32,197 ±64 | 54,588 | +1,896 |
| Households | 12,131 ±442 | 19,913 | +962 |
| Average household size | 2.63 ±0.10 | 2.67 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,863 ±397 | 21,198 | +1,005 |
Nicholasville's population since 2000
From 19,680 in 2000 to 33,857 in 2025: up 72.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Nicholasville as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Nicholasville?
The median resident of Nicholasville is 37.7 years old; 25.0% are under 18 and 14.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.6%. 6.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Nicholasville | Jessamine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 ±1.3 | 38.7 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 25.0% ±1.4 pts | 23.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.1% ±1.2 pts | 16.3% | – |
| Male | 47.0% ±1.4 pts | 48.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.6% ±0.8 pts | 5.0% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.5% ±1.1 pts | 85.5% | −3.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 4.9% ±0.9 pts | 4.0% | −1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.2% ±0.6 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.6% ±0.9 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.4% ±2.0 pts | 5.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.7% ±2.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3% ±1.4 pts | 6.1% | – |
| With a disability | 16.1% ±2.1 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7% ±2.6 pts | 6.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.8% ±2.7 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.9% ±2.9 pts | 33.5% | +7.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.1% ±1.7 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 86.8% ±2.9 pts | 88.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.9% ±0.9 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Nicholasville earn?
Half of Nicholasville's 12,131 households earn less than $68,503 a year (±$5,682), against $74,576 in Jessamine County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $59,371 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,132 after inflation. 13.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Nicholasville | Jessamine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $68,503 ±$5,682 | $74,576 | +$9,132 |
| Mean household income | $82,345 ±$7,100 | $113,909 | – |
| Per capita income | $31,714 ±$1,911 | $41,505 | +$3,546 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.1% ±2.7 pts | 11.3% | −8.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.6% ±5.6 pts | 14.2% | −13.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.8% ±2.4 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.7% ±2.5 pts | 95.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.0% ±3.9 pts | 91.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Nicholasville?
Owners occupy 58.2% of Nicholasville's occupied homes and renters 41.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $226,800 by its owner (±$7,997). The median renter pays $1,147 a month including utilities, and 35.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Nicholasville | Jessamine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $226,800 ±$7,997 | $268,100 | +$48,596 |
| Median gross rent | $1,147 ±$69 | $1,124 | +$172 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.5% ±6.6 pts | 33.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,410 ±$69 | $1,545 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.2% ±3.4 pts | 66.7% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 41.8% ±3.4 pts | 33.3% | – |
| Housing units | 12,863 ±397 | 21,198 | +1,005 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.3% ±1.9 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.4% ±2.7 pts | 73.1% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.9% ±0.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.2% ±1.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.7% ±2.1 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4% ±1.2 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 4.6% ±1.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Nicholasville building?
Builders took permits for 421 new housing units in Nicholasville in 2025 (403 in single-family houses), 12.4 per 1,000 residents against 3.2 across Kentucky.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Nicholasville work and get to work?
81.1% of Nicholasville's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Nicholasville | Jessamine County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.8% ±2.5 pts | 61.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6% ±1.3 pts | 3.1% | −3.8 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 81.1% ±3.7 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7% ±2.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.6% ±0.4 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8% ±2.4 pts | 11.2% | +4.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.0 min ±1.4 | 23.8 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Nicholasville?
6 census tracts lie mostly in Nicholasville, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $40,463 (Tract 601.03) to $102,333 (Tract 601.04).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 605.02Jessamine County | 7,356 | $77,300 |
| Tract 601.02Jessamine County | 7,749 | $74,335 |
| Tract 605.03Jessamine County | 4,823 | $46,291 |
| Tract 601.04Jessamine County | 4,840 | $102,333 |
| Tract 601.03Jessamine County | 2,678 | $40,463 |
| Tract 605.04Jessamine County | 2,983 | $59,758 |
| Tract 602Jessamine County | 6,317 | $66,568 |
| Tract 606Jessamine County | 7,157 | $122,156 |
| Tract 604.01Jessamine County | 4,051 | $62,845 |
| Tract 603Jessamine County | 2,467 | $84,259 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Nicholasville) · Census block assignment files
How does Nicholasville compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Nicholasville is the 1,228th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 10th-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Nicholasville ranks 72nd of 230 places in Kentucky with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 10th | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 8th | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th | 232 |
| Median household income | 72nd | 230 |
| Per capita income | 100th | 232 |
| Median home value | 68th | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 47th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 148th | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 83rd | 223 |
| Median age | 129th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 120th | 229 |
| Work from home | 97th | 130 |
| Travel time to work | 76th | 232 |
Nicholasville's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Nicholasville with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Nicholasville?
6 of the 57 figures for Nicholasville on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Nicholasville are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Nicholasville.