Kentucky

Simpson

19,594
2020 population
1820
first census record
21
census records

About Simpson

Simpson, Kentucky, first appears in the United States federal census in 1820, when it recorded a population of 4,852. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 19,594.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Franklin Skirmish (October 1862), Action at Franklin (Simpson County), and 15 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202019,594
201017,327
200016,405
199015,145
198014,673
197013,054
196011,548
195011,678
194011,752
193011,336
192011,150
191011,460
190011,624
189010,878
188010,641
18709,573
18608,146
18507,733
18406,537
18305,815
18204,852
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Simpson

Military engagements that took place in Simpson, Kentucky.

Franklin Skirmish (October 1862)
1862
Action at Franklin (Simpson County)
1862

Historic places in Simpson

National Register of Historic Places listings in Simpson, Kentucky.

Franklin Downtown Commercial District
Franklin
Simpson County Courthouse
Franklin
Cedars, The
Franklin
Goodnight House
Franklin
Franklin Downtown Commercial District (Boundary Increase)
Franklin
Octagon Hall
Franklin
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Other counties in Kentucky

Explore census history and historic records for more Kentucky counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Simpson County, Kentucky

This page charts the census history of Simpson County, Kentucky. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Simpson

When does Simpson first appear in the US census?
Simpson, Kentucky first appears in the federal census in 1820, with a recorded population of 4,852.
What is the population of Simpson?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Simpson had a recorded population of 19,594.
Were any battles fought in Simpson?
2 documented military engagements took place in Simpson, including Franklin Skirmish (October 1862), Action at Franklin (Simpson County).
How many historic places are in Simpson?
15 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Simpson, Kentucky.
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