Bullitt County is a county located in the north central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population of 82,217. The county seat and largest city is Shepherdsville.
History
Bull County was formed on December 13, 1796, from a portion of Jefferson County. It was named for Alexander Bullitt (1761–1816), a statesman who served as the first Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky and later as a member of the Kentucky Senate.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Bull County has a total area of 199 square miles (515 km²), of which 197 sq mi (510 km²) is land and 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²), or 1.1 %, is water. The Ohio River forms part of the county’s northern boundary, separating it from Indiana. The county lies within the Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Demographics
The 2020 census recorded 82,217 residents. The racial composition was approximately 84 % White, 9 % African American, 2 % Asian, and 5 % Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median household income (2019 American Community Survey 5‑year estimates) was about $71,000, and the poverty rate was roughly 7 %.
Government
Bull County is administered by a three‑member Fiscal Court, consisting of a County Judge/Executive and two Commissioners elected at‑large. The County Judge/Executive serves as the chief executive officer and presides over the Fiscal Court. Additional elected officials include a Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, and Coroner.
Economy and Infrastructure
The county’s economy is mixed, with significant contributions from manufacturing, retail trade, health care, and professional services. Major transportation routes include Interstate 65, which runs north‑south through the county, and U.S. Route 31E. Louisville International Airport (SDF) is located approximately 25 miles to the north.
Education
Public education is provided by Bull County Public Schools, which operates several elementary schools, two middle schools, and Bull County High School. The county also hosts a campus of the Jefferson Community and Technical College.
Communities
In addition to Shepherd Shepherdsville, other incorporated cities and census‑designated places within Bull County include Mount Washington, Shepherdsville (the county seat), and the unincorporated communities of Brooks, Dade, and Jeffersontown (partially).
Notable Residents
- John E. Stiles, former member of the Kentucky Senate.
- James M. Ford, Civil War officer and Kentucky state legislator.
References
- United States Census Bureau, 2020 Census of Population and Housing.
- Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, County Histories.
- Bull County, Kentucky Official Government Website.
