Jefferson County

Jefferson County is an administrative unit in northern Kentucky that covers roughly 398 square miles along the Ohio River. The area includes dozens of smaller communities and urban zones linked by a network of roads and waterways.

The Virginia General Assembly created this administrative unit in 1780 when Kentucky was still part of Virginia and settlers were establishing farms along the river. Over the following decades the region grew through trade and agriculture, becoming one of the most important areas in the new state after Kentucky gained independence in 1792.

The name honors Thomas Jefferson, whose political ideas were still fresh in Virginia when settlers organized the territory. Today streets and public buildings carry his name, while daily life follows modern rhythms shaped by river trade and regional industry.

Interstate 65 and Interstate 264 run through the area and connect it to neighboring states. Travelers can orient themselves by the riverbanks, while main roads pass through different communities and provide access to shops and services.

The merger with Louisville in 2003 fundamentally changed the administrative structure and created a shared government system for the city and surrounding areas. This consolidation made the region the largest urban area in Kentucky and continues to shape how public services are organized today.

Location: Kentucky

Inception: May 1, 1780

Capital city: Louisville

Shares border with: Clark County, Floyd County, Harrison County, Hardin County, Bullitt County, Spencer County, Shelby County, Oldham County

Website: http://louisvilleky.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.19000,-85.66000

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:45