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Jessamine County, KY

RANK #163 / 996  ·  POP 53,381  ·  KY

PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.4%

Jessamine County ranks among the top U.S. counties across nearly every economic indicator.

[01] Why Jessamine County?

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.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.3x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+5.4%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+3.4%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-2.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Jessamine County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
53,381
+0.69% YoY
Median Household Income
$69,905
Median Home Value
$226,900
+3.36% 12mo
Median Rent
$972
Average Annual Pay
$54,048
+5.8% YoY
Employment
18,660
+1.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3081
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.04%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$329,950
Days on Market
96
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.0
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.8%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
11.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
12.4%
Building Permits (2024)
267
Single-Family Permits
248

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$371M
TOTAL
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.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.4% 86 percentile
Population Growth +0.7% 61 percentile
Income Growth +7.2% 21 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.7% 86 percentile
Home Price Change +3.4% 75 percentile
Rent Growth +7.8% 94 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 51 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jessamine County, KY a good place to move to?

Jessamine County has a Boom Town Index score of 84/100, ranking #163 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $69,905, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Jessamine County affordable?

The median home value in Jessamine County is $226,900 with median rent at $972/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3081, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Jessamine County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +3.4% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Jessamine County?

Yes — 4.04% of Jessamine County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Broome County, NY 94 Tuscola County, MI 94 Capitol Planning Region, CT 94 Lee County, MS 94 Scioto County, OH 94 LaSalle County, IL 94 Grundy County, IL 94 Elmore County, AL 94