Map of Nelson County, Kentucky, USA

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated: November 01, 2025, 14:20 ET

Map of Nelson County - Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Nelson County Map showing cities, highways, important places and water bodies. Get Where is Nelson County located in the map, major cities in Nelson county, population, areas, and places of interest.

Map of Nelson County, Kentucky

Map of Nelson County, Kentucky

About Nelson County Map, Kentucky: The map showing the county boundary, county seat, major cities, highways, water bodies and neighbouring counties.

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Map of Nelson County, Kentucky

Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It's county seat is Bardstown. As per 2020 census, the population of Nelson County is 47098 people and population density is square miles. According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 423 sq mi (1,096 km2). Nelson County was established on 1784.

Nelson County Facts

ContinentNorth America
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
County SeatBardstown
Largest City/TownBardstown
Established1784
Total Area424 sq mi (1,098 sq km)
Land Area418 sq mi (1,083 sq km)
Water Area6.6 sq mi (17 sq km)
Population46,738 (Census 2020)
Population Density112 people per sq mi
Time ZoneEastern Time Zone (ET)
Major HighwaysBluegrass Parkway, U.S. Route 31E, U.S. Route 150, Kentucky Route 245
Major RiversRolling Fork River, Beech Fork River
Neighboring CountiesSpencer County, Anderson County, Washington County, Marion County, LaRue County, Hardin County, Bullitt County
Famous ForBourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown historic district, bourbon distilleries, and Kentucky heritage tourism
Top AttractionsMy Old Kentucky Home State Park, Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, Willett Distillery, Bardstown Historic District, Bernheim Forest nearby area
Official WebsiteOfficial Website

About Nelson County, Kentucky

Nelson County is located in north-central Kentucky within the Bluegrass region and was established in 1784 as one of Kentucky’s earliest counties. The county seat and largest city is Bardstown, Kentucky’s second-oldest city. Nelson County is internationally known as the “Bourbon Capital of the World” because of its concentration of bourbon distilleries, historic downtown districts, scenic rolling farmland, and strong ties to Kentucky heritage tourism. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Cities and Communities in Nelson County, Kentucky

City/TownPopulationLatitude & Longitude
Bardstown (county seat)14,000+37.8092°N, 85.4669°W
Bloomfield1,000+37.9134°N, 85.3169°W
New Haven800+37.6573°N, 85.5919°W
Fairfield100+37.9340°N, 85.3933°W
BostonHistoric Community37.7587°N, 85.6747°W
Coxs CreekGrowing Community37.8792°N, 85.4341°W
Holy CrossHistoric Community37.6223°N, 85.4483°W
NazarethHistoric Religious Community37.8947°N, 85.3956°W

Best Golf Courses in Nelson County, Kentucky

Golf CourseLocationLatitude & Longitude
Bardstown Country Club at MaywoodBardstown37.8412°N, 85.4787°W
My Old Kentucky Home Golf CourseBardstown37.7998°N, 85.4548°W
Lincoln Homestead State Park Golf CourseNearby Springfield37.7025°N, 85.2484°W
Heritage Hill Golf ClubNearby Shepherdsville37.9378°N, 85.6654°W

What are Major Roads and Highways in Nelson County

Major highways connect Nelson County with Louisville, central Kentucky bourbon regions, and Bluegrass tourism destinations.

  • Bluegrass Parkway - major east-west parkway linking Bardstown with Lexington and Elizabethtown
  • U.S. Route 31E - important north-south highway through Bardstown and surrounding communities
  • U.S. Route 150 - scenic regional highway connecting Bluegrass towns and tourism areas
  • Kentucky Route 245 - major route serving bourbon distilleries and local communities

Neighboring Counties of Nelson County

  • Spencer County (north)
  • Anderson County (northeast)
  • Washington County (east)
  • Marion County (southeast)
  • LaRue County (south)
  • Hardin County (west)
  • Bullitt County (northwest)

What are Top Attractions in Nelson County, Kentucky

The county offers bourbon tourism, historic architecture, state parks, scenic countryside, and nationally recognized Kentucky heritage attractions. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Main Sight NameCityFamous For
My Old Kentucky Home State ParkBardstownHistoric mansion and Kentucky cultural heritage
Heaven Hill Bourbon ExperienceBardstownBourbon tastings and whiskey history
Willett DistilleryBardstownHistoric bourbon production and tours
Bardstown Historic DistrictBardstownHistoric downtown architecture and shops
Bernheim Forest Nearby AreaRegional AreaNature trails, giant forest sculptures, and hiking
Old Talbott TavernBardstownHistoric inn and frontier-era landmark
Bourbon Heritage CenterBardstownKentucky bourbon education and exhibits
Railroad MuseumNew HavenHistoric rail exhibits and train heritage
Bardstown Bourbon CompanyBardstownModern distillery tours and tastings
Historic Churches of Nelson CountyCountywideReligious heritage and historic architecture

Distance from Nelson County to Nearby Cities

The following distances are measured by road (driving).

  • Bardstown to Louisville, Kentucky - 39 mi (63 km)
  • Bardstown to Elizabethtown, Kentucky - 29 mi (47 km)
  • Bardstown to Lexington, Kentucky - 66 mi (106 km)
  • Bardstown to Bowling Green, Kentucky - 88 mi (142 km)
  • Bardstown to Cincinnati, Ohio - 123 mi (198 km)
  • Bardstown to Indianapolis, Indiana - 151 mi (243 km)
  • Bardstown to Nashville, Tennessee - 172 mi (277 km)
  • Bardstown to Knoxville, Tennessee - 217 mi (349 km)
  • Bardstown to St. Louis, Missouri - 275 mi (443 km)
  • Bardstown to Chicago, Illinois - 312 mi (502 km)
  • Bardstown to Atlanta, Georgia - 357 mi (575 km)
  • Bardstown to Columbus, Ohio - 205 mi (330 km)

References

  1. Nelson County Official Website
  2. Nelson County, Kentucky - Wikipedia
  3. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts
  4. Visit Bardstown Tourism
  5. My Old Kentucky Home State Park