Georgetown, Kentucky

Georgetown, Kentucky
Name	Georgetown
Settlement type	City
Nickname	"G-Town"
Pushpin label	Georgetown
Coordinates	38, 12, 47, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Kentucky
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Scott
Established title	Founded
Established date	1784
Established title2	Incorporated
Established date2	1790
Government type	Mayor-Council
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Burney Jenkins
Area total sq mi	17.18
Area land sq mi	16.99
Area water sq mi	0.19
Elevation ft	876
Population total	37517
Population as of	2020
Population density sq mi	auto
Timezone	Eastern (EST)
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	40324
Area code	502
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	21-30700
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0492793
Website	https://www.georgetownky.gov/

Georgetown, Kentucky. It is the county seat of Scott County, Kentucky and is situated in the heart of the Bluegrass region. Known for its historic downtown and as the home of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The city's history is deeply intertwined with early Kentucky settlement, Bourbon whiskey production, and higher education.

History

The area was first settled in 1776 by the Reverend John L. Martin, a Baptist preacher, and was originally known as McClelland's Station. In 1784, it was surveyed and renamed in honor of George Washington. The city was formally incorporated by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1790, the same year Scott County was formed from portions of Woodford and Fayette counties. Georgetown became a significant center for Bourbon whiskey distilling in the 19th century, with operations like the C. C. Pepper Distillery gaining national prominence. The city was also an early educational hub, with the founding of the Kentucky Female Orphan School in 1829, which later evolved into Georgetown College. During the American Civil War, its location near the strategic Kentucky River placed it in a contested region, though it avoided major battles.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 17.18 square miles, of which 16.99 square miles is land and 0.19 square miles is water. It is located approximately 12 miles north of Lexington, Kentucky along Interstate 75. The city's topography is characterized by the rolling hills of the Inner Bluegrass region, with Royal Spring serving as the original water source for the settlement. Major waterways include North Elkhorn Creek and Cane Run, which flow toward the nearby Kentucky River.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 37,517, reflecting significant growth from previous decades. The racial makeup was approximately 80.5% White, 8.5% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 2.0% Asian, and 5.5% identifying as Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median household income has risen steadily, largely influenced by the presence of major employers like Toyota. The population density is about 2,208 people per square mile.

Economy

The economy is dominated by manufacturing, most notably the massive Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant, which began production in 1988 and is the company's largest vehicle manufacturing facility outside of Japan. This anchors a substantial automotive supplier network. Other significant employers include Hitachi Automotive Systems, Dell, and Amazon, which operates a fulfillment center. Historic downtown Georgetown supports a variety of local retail and service businesses, and the city benefits from tourism related to the nearby Bourbon Trail and events like the annual Festival of the Horse.

Education

Public education is managed by Scott County Schools, which includes Scott County High School. The city is also home to Georgetown College, a private liberal arts institution affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and founded in 1829. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky partners with the Bluegrass Community and Technical College system for specialized workforce training programs. The Georgetown-Scott County Museum provides educational resources on local history.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the city include John Bell Hood, a Confederate general during the American Civil War; C. C. Pepper, a prominent 19th-century distiller; and George Chinn, a Marine officer and weaponry expert who co-designed the M60 machine gun. Contemporary figures include Richie Farmer, former University of Kentucky basketball star and Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture; and Michele B. McNeil, an award-winning education journalist for Education Week.

Category:Cities in Kentucky Category:Scott County, Kentucky Category:County seats in Kentucky