Formed December 13, 1800 (43rd county)
Wayne County (19,559), Monticello (5,752)
The red brick Modern courthouse was built in 1950 at Main and Michigan streets. Kentucky State Highway 90 is Main Street at the courthouse. The architect is Alfred Lefeber & Associates. A Justice Center was added in 2005. A Liberty Bell replica and veteran memorials are on the grounds. A classy courthouse was in Monticello, the only county seat, in 1898. Wayne County was formed from Pulaski and Cumberland counties on December 13, 1800 as the 43rd county. It is named for Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne. Monticello is named for the estate of President Thomas Jefferson. Wayne County was the birthplace of 1 Kentucky Governor, Preston H. Leslie.
Wayne County government consists of a sheriff, County Judge Executive, and 4 Magistrates. Two Circuit Court Judges, One District Court Judge, and One Family Court Judge serve Wayne and Russell counties. Wayne County is in southern Kentucky on the border with Tennessee. Lexington, Kentucky is north and Bowling Green, Kentucky is northwest of the county. The county center is 6.2 miles South of Monticello. The county is surrounded clockwise by Pulaski and McCreary counties and Tennessee and Clinton and Russell counties.
The area of the county is 459 square miles. It is 19 out of 120 in the state. It ranks 60 out of 120 in population in the state. It has a density of 42.6 persons per square mile making it 79 out of 120 in the state. Wayne County has 29.4% of its population in its incorporated areas. There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county. The county’s shape resembles the State of Wisconsin. Monticello is located slightly north and west of center in the county. Monticello is the county seat and, as the only incorporated city, it is the largest city. It is 29.4% of the county population.
Monticello
