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Jeffersontown, Kentucky facts for kids

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Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Jeffersontown's Gaslight Square
Jeffersontown's Gaslight Square
Official seal of Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Seal
Nickname(s): 
J-town
Location of Jeffersontown in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Location of Jeffersontown in Jefferson County, Kentucky.
Jeffersontown, Kentucky is located in Kentucky
Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Jeffersontown, Kentucky is located in the United States
Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Jefferson
Incorporated 1797
Named for then-Vice Pres. Thomas Jefferson
Area
 • Total 10.61 sq mi (27.48 km2)
 • Land 10.57 sq mi (27.39 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2)
Elevation
702 ft (214 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 28,474
 • Density 2,692.83/sq mi (1,039.75/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
40220, 40223, 40269, 40291, 40299
Area code(s) 502
FIPS code 21-40222
GNIS feature ID 0495196
Website www.jeffersontownky.com

Jeffersontown is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 26,595 at the 2010 U.S. census.

It is a major suburb of Louisville. When the Louisville Metro government was established in 2003, Jeffersontown chose to retain its status as an independent city. It is the metro area's largest municipality outside Louisville.

History

Located in southeastern Jefferson County, Jeffersontown came into being in the late 1700s as a stopover for early pioneers on their way to the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville. Farmers began to cultivate the rich land, which was surveyed by Thomas Bullitt in 1773 and John Floyd the next year. The Hites, Tylers, and Oldhams all settled the area under land grants for military service.

In 1794, Abraham Bruner purchased 122 acres of land. In May 1797, he successfully petitioned the Jefferson County Fiscal Court to incorporate a 40-acre section of his land as the city of Jefferson – either after the county or after Thomas Jefferson, then the vice president of the United States, directly. The city was long known as Bruner's Town or Brunerstown by its inhabitants, but the usage Jefferson Town eventually led to its present name.

Geography

Jeffersontown is located at 38°12′22″N 85°34′25″W / 38.20611°N 85.57361°W / 38.20611; -85.57361 (38.206102, -85.573619). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.0 square miles (26 km2), of which 9.9 square miles (26 km2) is land and 0.10% is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 26,595 people, 10,653 households, and 7,275 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,675.9 people per square mile (1,033.5/km2). There were 11,220 housing units at an average density of 1,127.3 per square mile (435.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.2% White, 11.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.04% of the population.

Jeffersontown KY 022
Blankenbaker Access Drive (westbound) in Jeffersontown

There were 10,653 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.99.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 315
1880 243
1890 348 43.2%
1910 345
1920 350 1.4%
1930 614 75.4%
1940 899 46.4%
1950 1,246 38.6%
1960 3,431 175.4%
1970 9,701 182.7%
1980 15,795 62.8%
1990 23,221 47.0%
2000 26,633 14.7%
2010 26,595 −0.1%
2020 28,474 7.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,999, and the median income for a family was $60,951. Males had a median income of $41,345 versus $29,537 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,977. About 3.7% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Bluegrass Commerce Park (formerly known as The Bluegrass Research & Industrial Park) opened in 1966 and encompasses 600 acres (2.4 km2). It was the first such development in the United States. Today, Bluegrass Commerce Park has expanded to more than 1,800 acres (7.3 km2) and is home to approximately 850 businesses. The park is the largest in the state of Kentucky. The 38,000 employees who work there make the park and Jeffersontown the third-largest city of employment in the state. The park's seven units include:

  • Bluegrass Commerce Park
  • Commonwealth Park
  • Watterson Trail Industrial Park
  • Plainview Office Park
  • Jeffersontown Industrial Park
  • Holloway Industrial Park
  • Blankenbaker Crossings

Papa John's Pizza has its headquarters in Jeffersontown. In November 2020, the company announced its new global headquarters would be move to the Three Ballpark Center at The Battery Atlanta.

Education

Jeffersontown has a lending library, a branch of the Louisville Free Public Library.

Notable people

  • Jon Ackerson, politician who served in both houses of the Kentucky State Legislature; former Jeffersontown city council member

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jeffersontown (Kentucky) para niños

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