Garrard County is a county in Kentucky, United States, in the east-central Bluegrass region south of Lexington. It had a population of 16,953 at the 2020 census and covers 234 square miles (610 km2) centred near 37°38′22″N 84°32′15″W.
Lancaster is the county seat, and its postal code is 40444. The county has one incorporated city and a handful of unincorporated communities; Kentucky has no civil townships, so the county is not subdivided that way. Garrard County is in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Garrard County
Garrard County has one incorporated city, Lancaster, and a number of unincorporated communities and crossroads. Population figures below are the 2020 census count where a place is separately tabulated; unincorporated places without their own census designation are marked with —.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | City · seat | 4,148 | 40444 |
| Paint Lick | Unincorp. | — | 40461 |
| Bryantsville | Unincorp. | — | 40410 |
| Buckeye | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| Buena Vista | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| Cartersville | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| Davistown | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| Hyattsville | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| Marcellus | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| Nina | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| Three Forks | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
| White Oak | Unincorp. | — | 40444 |
Lancaster’s 4,148-person 2020 census figure is the only separately tabulated population in the county; the other communities are rural crossroads or hamlets without their own census designation. A handful of names from older gazetteers — Hackley, Judson, Lowell, Manse, Marksbury, McCreary, Point Leavell, Stone, Teatersville, and Toddville — could not be independently confirmed as active place names and are omitted here rather than published unverified.
ZIP Codes
- 40444 — Lancaster (also serves Buckeye, Buena Vista, Cartersville, Davistown, Hyattsville, Marcellus, Nina, Three Forks, White Oak)
- 40461 — Paint Lick
- 40410 — Bryantsville (PO Box delivery)
Most of rural Garrard County is served by the Lancaster ZIP, since the smaller communities have no post office of their own.
Geography
Garrard County sits in the rolling Bluegrass hills of east-central Kentucky, with the more rugged Knobs region rising along its southeastern edge. The Kentucky River forms part of the county’s northern and eastern boundary, and Paint Lick Creek and Sugar Creek drain much of the interior. Of the county’s 234 square miles, 230 are land and 3.9 are water.
Garrard County borders Jessamine County to the north, Madison County to the northeast, Rockcastle County to the southeast, Lincoln County to the southwest, Boyle County to the west, and Mercer County to the northwest.
Demographics
Garrard County had 16,953 residents at the 2020 census, with a population density of about 73 people per square mile. Lancaster is by far the largest community; Paint Lick is the county’s other identifiable population center. Median household income in the county runs below the Kentucky median of $61,118, consistent with its rural, agricultural economy.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture remains central to Garrard County’s economy, particularly cattle, tobacco, and row crops on the Bluegrass farmland surrounding Lancaster. Garrard County Schools and county government are among the largest local employers, and Lancaster’s small downtown supports retail and services for the surrounding farm communities. The county’s proximity to Lexington and Danville draws commuters to jobs outside the county.
History
Garrard County was formed on December 17, 1796, from parts of Madison, Lincoln, and Mercer counties, making it Kentucky’s 25th county. It is named for James Garrard, the second governor of Kentucky, who served from 1796 to 1804. Garrard County was long a stronghold of Whig and later Republican politics in a mostly Democratic 19th-century Kentucky, a pattern that has continued into the present. Author and researcher Harriet Beecher Stowe is said to have visited the Paint Lick area while gathering material later used in Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Garrard County was also a prohibition, or “dry,” county for much of its history, though Lancaster itself has since allowed alcohol sales.
Getting There
U.S. Route 27 runs north-south through Lancaster, connecting the county to Lexington and Somerset, while Kentucky Route 52 links Lancaster to Danville and Berea.
- Lexington — 30 miles north
- Danville — 15 miles west
- Berea — 20 miles east
- Richmond — 25 miles northeast
The nearest commercial airport is Blue Grass Airport in Lexington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Garrard County, Kentucky?
It is in east-central Kentucky, in the Bluegrass region south of Lexington.
What is the population of Garrard County?
16,953 people, according to the 2020 census.
How big is Garrard County?
234 square miles (610 km2), of which 230 square miles are land.
What is the county seat of Garrard County?
Lancaster is the county seat.
How many towns are in Garrard County?
Lancaster is the only incorporated city; the rest of the county consists of unincorporated communities such as Paint Lick, Bryantsville, and Buckeye.
What ZIP codes are in Garrard County?
40444 (Lancaster), 40461 (Paint Lick), and 40410 (Bryantsville).
Why is Garrard County called a “dry” county?
It historically prohibited alcohol sales countywide, though Lancaster later opted to allow them.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Kentucky.