Kentucky

Washington

12,027
2020 population
1800
first census record
23
census records

About Washington

Washington, Kentucky, first appears in the United States federal census in 1800, when it recorded a population of 9,050. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 12,027.

Its recorded population peaked at 19,017 in 1830, and has since declined by roughly 37 percent.

On the ground today, 8 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Morgan at Springfield (First Raid), Skirmish at Mackville (Washington County), Morgan Raid – Rolling Fork Bridge, and 69 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202012,027
201011,717
200010,916
199010,441
198010,764
197010,728
196011,168
195012,777
194012,965
193012,623
192014,773
191013,940
190014,182
189013,622
188014,419
187012,464
186011,575
185012,194
184010,596
183019,017
182015,947
181013,248
18009,050
Source

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

Battles & engagements in Washington

Military engagements that took place in Washington, Kentucky.

Morgan at Springfield (First Raid)
1862
Skirmish at Mackville (Washington County)
1862
Morgan Raid – Rolling Fork Bridge
1862
Action at Mackville (Washington County)
1862
Morgan's Christmas Raid - Springfield KY
1862
Action at Springfield (Christmas Raid Return)
1863
Skirmish at Springfield (Great Raid)
1863
Quantrill — Springfield-area Operations (Kentucky, spring 1865)
1865

Historic places in Washington

National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington, Kentucky.

Beech Fork Bridge, Mackville Road
Springfield
Cartwright Creek Bridge
Springfield
Holy Rosary Church
Springfield
Mount Zion Covered Bridge
Mooresville
Willisburg Historic District
Willisburg
Walnut Street Historic District
Springfield
Washington County Courthouse
Springfield
Beechfork Presbyterian Church
Springfield
Johnson's Chapel AME Church
Springfield
St. Rose Roman Catholic Church Complex
Springfield
Berry, Richard, Jr., House
Springfield
Lincoln, Mordecai, House
Springfield
Browse all Kentuckyhistoric sites ›

Other counties in Kentucky

Explore census history and historic records for more Kentucky counties.

MadisonMagoffinMarionMarshallMartinMasonMcCrackenMcCrearyMcLeanMeadeMenifeeMercerMetcalfeMonroeMontgomeryMorganMuhlenbergNelsonNicholasOhio
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Everything a full report reveals about Washington County, Kentucky

This page charts the census history of Washington 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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Kentuckyhistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Kentucky›

Frequently asked about Washington

When does Washington first appear in the US census?
Washington, Kentucky first appears in the federal census in 1800, with a recorded population of 9,050.
What is the population of Washington?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Washington had a recorded population of 12,027.
When did Washington's population peak?
Washington's recorded population peaked at 19,017 in 1830.
Were any battles fought in Washington?
8 documented military engagements took place in Washington, including Morgan at Springfield (First Raid), Skirmish at Mackville (Washington County), Morgan Raid – Rolling Fork Bridge.
How many historic places are in Washington?
69 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington, Kentucky.
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