Metcalfe County is a county in Kentucky, United States, on the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau along the Barren River. It had a population of 10,286 at the 2020 census and covers 291 square miles (750 km2) centred near 36°59′N 85°38′W.
Edmonton is the county seat, and its postal code is 42129. The county has one incorporated city and a handful of unincorporated communities and one census-designated place. Metcalfe County observes Central Time and is part of the Bowling Green-Glasgow Combined Statistical Area.
Towns & Villages in Metcalfe County
Metcalfe County has one incorporated city, Edmonton, plus a census-designated place and a scatter of unincorporated communities and crossroads. CDP = census-designated place; Unincorp. = unincorporated community, generally a crossroads store, church, or post office name rather than a legal municipality.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton | City · seat | 1,613 | 42129 |
| Summer Shade | CDP | — | 42166 |
| Beaumont | Unincorp. | — | 42124 |
| Beechville | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Cedar Flats | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Center | Unincorp. | — | 42214 |
| Clarks Corner | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Cofer | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Cork | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Curtis | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Echo | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Gascon | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Goodluck | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Knob Lick | Unincorp. | — | 42154 |
| New Liberty | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Node | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Randolph | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Savoyard | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Shady Grove | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Willow Shade | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
| Wisdom | Unincorp. | — | 42129 |
ZIP Codes
- 42129 — Edmonton (also serves most of the county’s unincorporated communities)
- 42166 — Summer Shade
- 42214 — Center
- 42154 — Knob Lick
- 42124 — Beaumont
Most crossroads communities without their own post office share Edmonton’s 42129 ZIP.
Geography
Metcalfe County sits on the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau where it meets the Pennyroyal Plateau, a landscape of rolling, karst-pocked hills drained by the Little Barren River and its tributaries. Sinkholes and small caves are common across the county, a hallmark of the region’s limestone bedrock. The county borders Hart County to the northwest, Green County to the northeast, Adair County to the east, Cumberland County to the southeast, Monroe County to the south, and Barren County to the west.
Demographics
Metcalfe County had 10,286 residents at the 2020 census, a population density of about 35 people per square mile. Edmonton is by far the largest community, followed by Summer Shade. Median household income runs below the Kentucky median of $61,118, consistent with the county’s small-farm, rural economic base.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture anchors the local economy, particularly tobacco, cattle, and hay production on the county’s rolling farmland. Metcalfe County High School and the county government in Edmonton are among the largest local employers, and many residents commute to jobs in Glasgow or Bowling Green. The county is also known as the home turf of the Grammy-winning band the Kentucky Headhunters and the rock band Black Stone Cherry, both with roots in the area.
History
Metcalfe County was organized in May 1860 from parts of Adair, Barren, Cumberland, Green, and Monroe counties, and named for Thomas Metcalfe, who served as Governor of Kentucky from 1828 to 1832. The county was strongly Unionist during the Civil War, a stance shared with several of its south-central Kentucky neighbors, and it has remained a reliably Republican-leaning county in modern elections.
Getting There
Kentucky Route 90 and KY 63 are the county’s main highways, connecting Edmonton to the surrounding region.
- Glasgow, KY — 20 miles southwest
- Columbia, KY — 20 miles east
- Bowling Green, KY — 45 miles west
- Tompkinsville, KY — 25 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Metcalfe County, Kentucky?
It sits in south-central Kentucky, on the edge of the Cumberland Plateau, roughly 20 miles southwest of Columbia and 20 miles northeast of Glasgow.
What is the population of Metcalfe County?
10,286 people, per the 2020 census.
How big is Metcalfe County?
291 square miles (750 km2), of which about 1.5 square miles is water.
What is the county seat of Metcalfe County?
Edmonton is the county seat and the only incorporated city in the county.
How many towns are in Metcalfe County?
One incorporated city, Edmonton, plus one census-designated place and roughly 20 unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Metcalfe County?
42129 (Edmonton), 42166 (Summer Shade), 42214 (Center), 42154 (Knob Lick), and 42124 (Beaumont).
Why is Metcalfe County notable in music?
It is the home area of the Grammy-winning Kentucky Headhunters and the rock band Black Stone Cherry.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Kentucky.