Washington County, Kentucky
Washington County, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
Washington County courthouse in Springfield | |
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky | |
| Coordinates: 37°45′N 85°10′W / 37.75°N 85.17°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| Founded | 1792 |
| Named after | George Washington |
| Seat | Springfield |
| Largest city | Springfield |
| Area | |
• Total | 301 sq mi (780 km2) |
| • Land | 297 sq mi (770 km2) |
| • Water | 3.9 sq mi (10 km2) 1.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,027 |
• Estimate (2024) | 12,269 |
| • Density | 40.5/sq mi (15.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | www |
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, its population was 12,027. Its county seat is Springfield. The county is named for George Washington. Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood, and the 16th county formed. The center of population of Kentucky is located in Washington County, in the city of Willisburg. Before 2025, the county was dry, meaning that the sale of alcohol was prohibited, but it contained the "wet" city of Springfield, where retail alcohol sales are allowed. This classified the jurisdiction as a moist county. The county become wet in November, 2024 after a ballot initiative. Three wineries operate in the county and are licensed separately to sell to the public. Jacob Beam, founder of Jim Beam whiskey, sold his first barrel of whiskey in Washington County.