Overview
Shepherdsville is a home rule-class city on the Salt River in Bullitt County, Kentucky, United States. It is the second largest city and seat of its county, located just south of Louisville. The population was 14,201 at the 2020 census, and was estimated to be 14,837 in 2024.
History
Native Americans have been shown to have lived in the area for at least 15,000 years. The vicinity was originally known by European Americans as "Bullitt's Lick" for the salt licks discovered by surveyor Capt. Thomas Bullitt in 1773. The area was home to Kentucky's first commercial salt works. These were shuttered in the 1830s because of competition from Virginian works along the Kanawha River (now in West Virginia). The first post office opened in 1806. Throughout most of the 20th century, Shepherdsville's economy was based on agriculture. It was a trading center for the county, and important for law and justice related to the county seat. Construction of the Kentucky Turnpike (now Interstate 65) in the 1950s stimulated residential development in the suburbs, as people who worked in Louisville could commute more easily to work.
Many moved to Shepherdsville and other outlying areas to have new houses.
Geography
Shepherdsville is located on the banks of the Salt River. Downtown Louisville is to the north via Interstate 65, and Elizabethtown is to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (1.75%) is water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Shepherdsville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Shepherdsville had a population of 14,201, with 5,462 households and 3,791 families. The median age was 33.7 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 10.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.4 males age 18 and over. There were 5,679 housing units, of which 3.8% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.6%.
Recent estimates
According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of May 31, 2025, in Shepherdsville is $275,039. As of the 2023 American Community Survey, there are 5,476 estimated households in Shepherdsville with an average of 2.59 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $71,250. Approximately 20.6% of the city's population lives at or below the poverty line. Shepherdsville has an estimated 69.4% employment rate, with 17.2% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 88.0% holding a high school diploma.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 11,222 people, 4,199 households, and _ families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,483 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.83% White, 0.99% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from some other races and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.60% of the population.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 8,334 people, 3,177 households, and 2,363 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,402 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.24% White, 0.92% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from some other races and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.74% of the population. There were 3,177 households, out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $36,103, and the median income for a family was $40,878. Males had a median income of $31,324 versus $22,871 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,519. About 13.7% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Area students attend Bullitt County Public Schools.
Different sections of the city are zoned to one of the county's three regular public high schools: * Most of the city is served by Bullitt Central High School, located in Shepherdsville proper. :*Bernheim Middle and Bullitt Lick Middle are the middle schools for this area. :*Cedar Grove Elementary, Lebanon Junction Elementary, Nichols Elementary, Roby Elementary and Shepherdsville Elementary are the primary schools for this area. * Some northern areas are zoned to North Bullitt High School, which has a Shepherdsville postal address but is located in the city of Hebron Estates. :*Hebron Middle and Zoneton Middle are the middle schools for this area. :*Brooks Elementary, Freedom Elementary, Maryville Elementary and Overdale Elementary are the primary schools for this area. * Far eastern portions of the city are zoned to Bullitt East High School in Mount Washington. :*Eastside Middle and Mt.
Washington Middle are the middle schools for this area. :*Crossroads Elementary, Mt. Washington Elementary, Old Mill Elementary and Pleasant Grove Elementary are the primary schools for this area. The city also houses Riverview High School, the county district's alternative high school for at-risk students. Shepherdsville has a public library, a branch of the Bullitt County Public Library.
Notable people
* Rick Bolus, high school basketball scout and analyst * Cameron Dukes, gridiron football player, Toronto Argonauts * Wayne Edwards, NASCAR driver * Charles Kurtsinger, horse jockey, U.S. Racing Hall of Famer * Alexandria Mills, Miss World 2010 * Shannon Tindle, creator of Kubo and the Two Strings ;Notable animal * GTR Patricks Vindicator, miniature horse ambassador, animal celebrity