About Monticello, KY

Monticello is the county seat of Wayne County, Kentucky. It is about 30 minutes south of Somerset on Highway 90. The city came into being in 1800. It was named after the plantation and home of Thomas Jefferson, who was elected President of the United States that same year.

The city was first laid out (platted) on 13 acres when it was founded, and ten years later, in 1810, it had a population of 27. The most recent U.S. Census, in 2020, counted the population as 5,753. The current population is estimated to be around the same.

There is a restored log cabin in downtown Monticello that shows what the homes looked like when the town was just starting. Elk Creek runs through the town with its waters flowing westward toward Lake Cumberland. The area is popular with tourists for its proximity to Lake Cumberland and the Daniel Boone National Forest.

What To Do in Monticello, KY

In Monticello, there are historical sites to see, museums to visit, outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, and boating), and festivals to enjoy.

Mill Springs Mill: This gristmill dates back to the 1800s. You can see how the mill works and learn more about the local history. It is in a nice park that has pleasant areas for a picnic, and you can stroll on the trails past the creek.

Wayne County Historical Museum: This museum features exhibits of old photographs, artifacts from the early 19th century, and historical items from the Civil War. There are genealogical records for those who are researching their family tree.

Historic Homes: The Brown-Lanier House was used as a military headquarters during the Civil War. The West-Metcalfe House is the first home in the county built out of brick. These architectural wonders from the past help visitors understand the lifestyle, culture, and history of the region.

Fall Creek Recreational Area: To the north of Monticello is this nature-lovers park sitting on the shores of Lake Cumberland. It's a terrific place to go fishing.

Cruise-In: Vintage and classic cars show up every third Saturday at the Gazebo in Monticelli-Wayne County Memorial Park. Some have been beautifully restored. Others are a work-in-progress. Car collectors and aficionados like to show off their treasures and enjoy grilled food while discussing their favorite automobiles.

Festivals: The fall festival is a fun event with food and live music performances. The Monticello-Wayne County Memorial Park is also the site for the Wayne County Fair, Demo Derby, Overdrive Monster Trucks, and the Bull Whip Rodeo.

Hillbilly Haunted House: For those who enjoy having the bejesus scared out of them, this haunted house is fun place to visit around Halloween. It's in nearby Nancy, Kentucky, a few miles drive from Monticello.

Working in Monticello, KY

Monticello's economy benefits from healthcare, manufacturing, retail, tourism, and hospitality. The city's unemployment rate is high at 5.4%, which is more than the national average of 4.3%. The median household income in Monticello is $40,477 per year, which is around $43,000 lower than the American median household income of $83,730.

The economy is growing slightly faster than the rest of the country. Monticello's predicted job growth rate for the next decade is 36.7%, compared to the predicted national rate of 33.5%.

Industries offering the most jobs are healthcare/social assistance (19%), administrative support & waste management services (14.1%), manufacturing (11.6%), retail (11.2%), education (6.6%), and accommodation & food services (6.4%).

Monticello, KY Neighborhoods

This city has well-established neighborhoods to consider and lovely lakefront properties.

Steubenville: This neighborhood is north of the city and south of Lake Cumberland. The median real estate price is $274,270. This amount is higher than 63.4% of all other places in Kentucky. Most of the properties are owner-occupied. This neighborhood is established and has some older homes built between 1940 and 1969. The average rent is $913. The vacancy rate is 1.6%, making it exceedingly difficult to find an available place.

Eadsville / Frisby: This is a large rural area northwest of the town. It has many lakefront properties. The median real estate price is $264,691. The average rental price is $958. The vacancy rate is 27.1%, due to a large number of vacation rental homes.

Monticello East: This neighborhood is very rural. The median price for a home is $226,679. The average rent is $1,167, and the vacancy rate is 13.9%.

Monticello, KY School District

Wayne County Schools is the administrator for the public schools. The school district spends $13,327 annually per student. The student-to-teacher ratio is too high at 22 to one.

There is one private school in Monticello called Immanuel Christian Academy (PK to 10th grade). The nearest other schools, about eight miles away, are Beulah Mt Christian Academy (3rd to 12th grade) and Saline Christian Academy (PK to 12th grade), and there are seven more private schools within 25 miles.

There are no colleges in Monticello. The nearest college is Somerset Community College (public, two-year). However, there are three more colleges and universities within 50 miles. They include the private schools of Lindsey Wilson College, the University of the Cumberlands (four-year), and Campbellsville University (four-year).

Moving to Monticello, KY Resource Guide

The City of Monticello's municipal government consists of an elected mayor and six City Council members. There is more information on Monticello's website.

The Monticello Parks and Recreation, with the help of Wayne County, maintains Memorial Park and the Aspire Community Center. There are leagues for youth soccer, youth baseball, and adult and youth basketball. The Aspire Center has an indoor gymnasium and swimming pool.

Monticello, KY Housing

The median home sales price in Monticello is $242,500. The price trend is down, -19% year-over-year. The housing market is a buyer's market, with more homes listed for sale than potential buyers. Housing costs are a gigantic 45% lower than the rest of the USA, which is wonderful. The cost of living is 8% less than in other Kentucky cities and 18% lower than the living costs found in other parts of the country.