Nelson County, Kentucky

Nelson County
Nelson County Courthouse in Bardstown
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°48′N 85°28′W / 37.8°N 85.47°W / 37.8; -85.47
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedNovember 29, 1784
Named afterThomas Nelson Jr.
SeatBardstown
Largest cityBardstown
Area
  Total
424 sq mi (1,100 km2)
  Land418 sq mi (1,080 km2)
  Water6.6 sq mi (17 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
46,738
  Estimate 
(2024)
48,706
  Density110/sq mi (43/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 4th
Websitenelsoncountyky.gov

Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 48,065. Its county seat is Bardstown. Nelson County comprises the Bardstown, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Louisville/Jefferson County-Elizabethtown-Madison, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area.