Carlisle, Kentucky

Not to be confused with Carlisle County, Kentucky.

Carlisle, Kentucky
City
Main Street in Carlisle Main Street in Carlisle
Location of Carlisle, Kentucky
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
County	Nicholas
Area
• Total	1.3 sq mi (3.3 km2)
• Land	1.3 sq mi (3.3 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	860 ft (262 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,010
• Density	1,499.7/sq mi (579.0/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	40311, 40350
Area code(s)	859
FIPS code	21-12898
GNIS feature ID	0488935

Carlisle is a home rule-class city in Nicholas County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,010 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Nicholas County. It is located at the junction of Kentucky Route 32 and Kentucky Route 36, about halfway between Lexington and Maysville.

History

Carlisle was founded in 1816 when John Kincart donated land to facilitate the relocation of the county seat from Ellisville, 5 miles (8.0 km) to the north. The town was probably named for Carlisle, Pennsylvania, hometown of Kincart's father. In that same year, a permanent brick courthouse was built in 1818. The fourth, and final, courthouse was built in 1893-1894.

By 1830, the population was over 600, but the town's growth in the 19th century was slowed by numerous fires, a cholera epidemic in 1833, and the lack of turnpike access. However, a wide, macadamized turnpike connecting the town directly to Maysville was opposed by local residents in the 1830s, fearing economic competition to small local shippers. It was eventually built three miles (5 km) west of the town and became U.S. Route 68.

The Trans Kentucky Terminal Railroad was built along the south side of Carlisle in 1871, and as a result the town became a thriving tobacco market in the early 20th century. The market declined, starting in 1921.

Due to its rural nature and lack of interest in modern developments, the town was well preserved into the 21st century. The 1893 railroad depot serves as a museum and community center. The population has grown from 1,579 in 1970. Carlisle has two local newspapers: "The Carlisle Mercury" (founded in 1867) and "The Carlisle Courier" (founded in 2010).

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Carlisle has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	360		—
1870	606		68.3%
1880	909		50.0%
1890	1,081		18.9%
1900	1,377		27.4%
1910	1,293		−6.1%
1920	1,569		21.3%
1930	1,469		−6.4%
1940	1,414		−3.7%
1950	1,524		7.8%
1960	1,601		5.1%
1970	1,579		−1.4%
1980	1,757		11.3%
1990	1,639		−6.7%
2000	1,917		17.0%
2010	2,010		4.9%
Est. 2014	1,981		−1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,010 people, 892 households, and 546 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,499.7 people per square mile (578.2/km²). There were 1,040 housing units at an average density of 768.2 per square mile (296.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.10% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 892 households out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% were non-families. 35% of all households were made up of individuals and 37.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 19, 5.0% from 20 to 24, 24.3% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.3 years. For every 100 females there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,112, and the median income for a family was $42,664.

Notable people

• Barbara Kingsolver, writer
• Thomas Metcalfe, moved to a farm in Carlisle
• Gatewood Galbraith, political activist