The area at a glance
Shelby County sits east of Louisville along I-64, between Jefferson County and Franklin County. It was formed in 1792 and named for Isaac Shelby, Kentucky’s first governor. Shelbyville is the county seat, and Simpsonville is about 8 miles west of it. Smaller communities like Bagdad, Waddy, and Finchville are spread around the county. Below is a short section on Shelbyville and on Simpsonville.
Shelbyville
Where it is
Shelbyville is the county seat, on US 60 near the middle of Shelby County. It was established in 1792. Much of downtown was rebuilt after a fire in 1909, and the town is known as the Saddlebred Capital of the World, home of the Shelbyville Horse Show.
Getting around
US 60 runs through downtown, and I-64 runs about 2 miles south of town, so Louisville is a straight drive west. KY 55 and KY 53 run north and south through Shelbyville.
Shopping and food
Downtown Shelbyville has shops and local restaurants on Main Street. There is a Walmart Supercenter on Taylorsville Road (KY 55).
Parks and outdoors
Clear Creek Park has an indoor pool, a gym, and a walking track, plus an outdoor pool and the paved Clear Creek Greenway, about 1.5 miles long. Red Orchard Park has an 18-hole disc golf course, a fenced dog park, and a kayak launch on Clear Creek. Lake Shelby has fishing and a campground.
The homes
Near downtown, there are older homes from the 1930s through the 1960s. Most homes for sale are in subdivisions built from the 1990s through the 2010s, like Town N Country, Midland Estates, and Cloverbrook Farms, on lots of about a fifth to half an acre. New homes are still being built around town.
Simpsonville
Where it is
Simpsonville is a small city on US 60, about 23 miles east of Louisville and 8 miles west of Shelbyville. It was laid out in 1816 and named for Captain John Simpson, who represented Shelby County in the state legislature. By 1825, it was a stagecoach stop on the road between Louisville and Shelbyville, and for most of its history it was a farm town.
Getting around
US 60 runs through town, and I-64 is just to the south, so Louisville is about a 30-minute drive west. Buck Creek Road connects the town to the interstate.
Shopping and food
The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass on Buck Creek Road opened in 2014, with about 375,000 square feet of outlet stores near I-64. For groceries, Shelbyville is about 8 miles east.
Parks and outdoors
Fred Wiche Park on Buck Creek Road has a pavilion, walking trails, and picnic areas. Shelbyville’s parks, like Clear Creek Park and Red Orchard Park, are a short drive east.
The homes
Most homes are in subdivisions built from the late 1980s through the early 2000s, like Rolling Ridge, Todds Station, and Cardinal Club Estates, on lots of about a fifth to two fifths of an acre. New villas are being built, and a few homes sit on five acres or more.
Thinking about this part of town?
I am happy to show you around Shelby County or answer any questions about it. Let’s talk.