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Wilmore, Kentucky
The East Main Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
The East Main Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Motto(s): 
"...Small town charm"
Location of Wilmore in Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Location of Wilmore in Jessamine County, Kentucky.
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Jessamine
Area
 • Total 4.09 sq mi (10.60 km2)
 • Land 4.06 sq mi (10.51 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation
929 ft (283 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 5,999
 • Estimate 
(2022)
6,017
 • Density 1,478.31/sq mi (570.81/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
40390
Area code(s) 859
FIPS code 21-83550
GNIS feature ID 2405755
Website http://www.wilmore.org/

Wilmore is a small city in Jessamine County, Kentucky, United States. It is known for its "small town charm." In 2020, about 6,000 people lived there. Wilmore is part of the larger Lexington area. The city covers about 10.6 square kilometers (4.09 square miles) of land.

History of Wilmore

Early Beginnings

The town of Wilmore got its name in 1877. A post office was opened and named after John R. Wilmore, who owned land in the area.

In 1882, a railway line was built through the county. The Southern Railway created a stop in Wilmore. This stop was first called "Scott's Station" after John D. Scott, who owned the land. Soon after, its name was changed to Wilmore.

Growth and Development

By the 1890s, Wilmore was a busy place with about 600 residents. It was an important spot for shipping farm products like cattle, hogs, and grain. The town had many useful businesses. These included a blacksmith, shops for repairing carriages, drug stores, and doctors. There were also large general stores, a hardware store, and butcher shops. Wilmore also had a school, several churches, and mills for glass and grain.

Founding of Asbury University

Asbury University was started in Wilmore in 1890. It was first known as Asbury College. This university has become a very important part of the city.

Becoming an Official City

Wilmore officially became an incorporated city in 1918. This meant it could have its own local government.

Festivals and Historic Places

From 1970 to 2012, Wilmore hosted the Ichthus Music Festival. This was a big event for Christian music and speakers. The festival returned to Wilmore in 2021. The city also hosts the Highbridge Film Festival, which shows movies made by local people.

Many places in Wilmore are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites. Some of these include the Asbury University Administration Building, the East Main Street Historic District, and the Kenyon Avenue Historic District.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 1,157
1930 1,329 14.9%
1940 1,228 −7.6%
1950 2,337 90.3%
1960 2,773 18.7%
1970 3,466 25.0%
1980 3,787 9.3%
1990 4,215 11.3%
2000 5,905 40.1%
2010 3,686 −37.6%
2020 5,999 62.8%
2022 (est.) 6,017 63.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population Changes Over Time

The number of people living in Wilmore has changed a lot over the years. In 1920, there were about 1,157 residents. By 2020, the population had grown to nearly 6,000 people. The city's population density is about 570 people per square kilometer. This means there are about 1,478 people living in each square mile.

Who Lives in Wilmore?

In 2000, there were 5,905 people living in Wilmore. These people lived in 1,638 households. A household is a group of people living together in one home. Most households, about 65%, were married couples. About 39% of households had children under 18 living with them.

The people in Wilmore come from different backgrounds. In 2000, most residents were White. There were also people who were African American, Asian, Native American, and from other backgrounds.

Age and Income

The average age of people in Wilmore in 2000 was 26 years old. About 22% of the population was under 18. Another 26% were between 18 and 24 years old.

The average income for a household in Wilmore was about $31,500 per year. For families, the average income was about $40,000 per year. About 11.5% of the people in Wilmore lived below the poverty line. This means their income was lower than a certain amount needed for basic living.

Education in Wilmore

Wilmore is home to two important educational institutions. These are Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary. Both attract students from many places.

See also

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

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