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Richmond, Kentucky

17 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1892 and the latest in 1997. It stands in the Richmond census division. It lies in ZIP code area 40475. The Survey maps it on the Richmond South quadrangle. 34,585 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 948 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Richmond within Madison County

On record in Richmond

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 12 of 49 shown

Every listing in Madison County

Surveyed buildings and structures 5 records

Population over time

2 figures

Richmond grew from 31,364 to 34,585 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201031,364
202034,585+3,221 (+10%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

9 surveys from 17 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

6 photographs, 2020

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

The "Nothin' Fancy Farm" sign, placed on a most ordinary barn, presumably by an owner who knows his property's limitations, near Richmond, Kentucky
The "Nothin' Fancy Farm" sign, placed on a most ordinary barn, presumably by an owner who knows his property's limitations, near Richmond, Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Whitehall, Stone Outbuilding, Clay Lane, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Whitehall, Stone Outbuilding, Clay Lane, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Whitehall, Log Cabin, Clay Lane, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Whitehall, Log Cabin, Clay Lane, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Castlewood, U.S. Route 25, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Castlewood, U.S. Route 25, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Woodlawn, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Woodlawn, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Whitehall, Clay Lane, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Whitehall, Clay Lane, Richmond, Madison County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Fires near this place

2 since 2007

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 2 fires within 5 miles of Richmond between 2007 and 2008, burning about 6 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning1
Recreation and ceremony1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
13 August 2008Recreation and ceremony5.0 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
11 November 2007Debris and open burning1.0 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Madison County

Storms near this place

60 of 115 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Richmond in 115 storm reports between 1996 and 2025: 61 thunderstorm wind, 29 hail, 19 flash flood, 5 flood. The reports record 1 death and 5 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
February 2000Flash FloodRichmond1 killed, $10,000A 15 year old boy died after the car in which he was riding was overtaken by flood waters.
June 2016LightningRichmond4 hurtEmployees working at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services were shocked when lightning stuck the building. Lightning also sparked a garage fire on Hume Branch Road near Waco.
April 2002Thunderstorm WindRichmond1 hurt, $25,000Many trees were downed. A tree fell on a mobile home, injuring an occupant. Another tree fell on a vehicle. A utility pole was blown down. An ATM machine was damaged by wind.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindRichmond$100,000A storm survey conducted by NWS Jackson concluded that 2 areas of straight line wind damage occurred near Richmond, Kentucky. The most significant damage occurred just south of Richmond where peak winds reached an estimated 80 mph as a mobile home park was damaged. An anchored mobile home was damaged and slid off its foundation. The second area of straight line winds was just north of Richmond and yielded maximum estimated winds of 65 mph.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindRichmond$70,000The Madison County emergency manager reported several mobile homes damaged due to severe thunderstorm winds.
May 2010Flash FloodRichmond$50,000The fire department responded to flooded homes and mobile homes where people were trapped due to rising water. Evacuations also took place.
December 2007Flash FloodRichmond$50,000Numerous roads in Richmond were under water due to heavy rains. Some roads were covered by as much as four feet of water. Some buildings were flooded.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindRichmond$20,000Tree fell on cars on Ellis Court in Richmond.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindRichmond$15,000There was a tree on a power line on Gibson Lane in Richmond.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindRichmond$10,000A tree fell and damaged a truck near the Eastern Kentucky University Campus.
August 2012Flash FloodRichmond$10,000The Madison County emergency manager reported a water rescue just west of downtown Richmond within an area that commonly experiences flooding. Several other low water crossings east of Richmond were briefly closed by high water.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindRichmond$10,000Thunderstorm winds downed blew a tree and power lines on car on Woodland Avenue. A carport was blown down on Highway 169. Winds downed another tree near White Station.
January 2005Thunderstorm WindRichmond$10,000Trees and fences were blown down.
May 2015Thunderstorm WindRichmond$5,000An amateur radio operator reported trees down in Richmond, one of which fell onto a car on Sunset Avenue.
June 2013Flash FloodRichmond$5,000A spotter reported around one half foot of water flowing down Madison Hills and 3rd Street in Richmond.
April 2005HailRichmond$5,000Vehicles were dented at the Kentucky State Police Post.
December 2005Thunderstorm WindRichmond$5,000Part of a garage roof was blown off.
May 2015Thunderstorm WindRichmond$3,000A fire department official reported to the NWS trees down on a house on Crescent Hills Drive.
October 2001Thunderstorm WindRichmond$2,000no account filed
September 2012FloodRichmond$1,000The Richmond Fire Department reported two cars stalled and several briefly impassable flooded roads downtown.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A tree was blown down along Hampton Way in Richmond.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Dispatch reported trees down across Madison County.
January 2023Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Trees were blown down, roof and gutter damage occurred, and a car was flipped on its side along Lakeridge Drive in Richmond.
January 2023Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Trees were downed and limbs were blown across Main Street near Pin Oak Drive in Richmond.
June 2023HailRichmond-Tennis ball sized hail was observed northwest of Richmond.
June 2023HailRichmond-Ping pong ball sized hail was observed just north of Richmond.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The National Weather Service conducted a storm survey for the macroburst damage received near Richmond in Madison county, Kentucky. Damage was first observed along US Highway 25 where some isolated tree snaps occurred. Plenty of tree damage continued to Hunter Lane and extensive property damage occurred to a home where roof damage and damage to outbuildings occurred.||The storm continued along Four Mile Road where damage to a barn roof occurred with more trees uprooted and snapped. Damage continued to become more sporadic along Greens Crossing Road where lots of tree damage and barn outbuildings had roof damage. Richmond Speedway also received roof damage to the restrooms and grandstand seating. The most concentrated damage occurred along Forest and Kennedy Lanes where several residents received damage with very extensive tree damage, including a mixture of uprooted and snapped hardwood trees. Several barn outbuildings also received considerable roof damage. Observable damage continued with trees down along Whitt Road and Speedwell Road and some barn roof damage. Barn outbuildings and tree damage continued toward Brassfield Road before the main extensive damage ended. A majority of the damage was observed in a southerly direction, although some damage varied between the easterly and southwesterly directions. This damage pattern coincides with a macroburst style severe straight line wind downburst from the parent thunderstorm that moved across Madison County. Damage was widespread and appeared to even fan out in many areas, which is also consistent with a straight line wind event. Most damage was consistently in the 90-100 mph range with a max wind speed of 110 in some locations.
February 2022Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A building near 3rd Street and Chestnut was damaged in Richmond. There was also sporadic tree damage in the county as well.
April 2022Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A tree was down blocking Sara Leigh Drive.
January 2020Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Eastern Kentucky University reported several trees were blown down on campus.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Trees were down along Highway 388 in Madison.
February 2019FloodRichmond-Standing water was reported near Altamont and Race Streets in Richmond.
December 2019FloodRichmond-Madison County Dispatch reported that a section of Tates Creek Road was closed due to standing water in many spots. Several other roads in the county were closed because of water issues.
June 2018FloodRichmond-A trained spotter reported that streets were starting to flood in Richmond. There was very heavy precipitation and around 40 mph winds.
May 2018Thunderstorm WindRichmond-There was a tree on a power line on Gibson Lane in richmond.
May 2018HailRichmond-Hail was reported at Farmington Court in Richmond.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The public reported trees snapped in half, and roof damage to structures.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindRichmond-State officials reported trees down west of Richmond.
June 2017Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Local media reported numerous trees down across Madison County.
May 2016HailRichmond-Quarter size hail fell on the Richmond Bypass.
May 2016Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The Madison County emergency manager reported numerous trees down across multiple locations in Richmond, including one tree that was blocking a driveway.
July 2016Flash FloodRichmond-The public reported street flooding in the area due to excessive heavy rain.
May 2015Thunderstorm WindRichmond-An amateur radio operator reported trees and power lines down along Hunter Lane.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The Madison County emergency manager reported a tree down on High Street.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The Madison County emergency manager reported that severe thunderstorm winds brought down power lines across North 1st Street in Richmond.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Richmond law enforcement reported trees down near the intersections of Mt. Vernon Road and Liberty Avenue, Highway 421 and Battlefield Road, and near the Waco Baptist Church.
August 2014FloodRichmond-Richmond law enforcement reported water across the Richmond Bypass, associated with Interstate 75. The road was still passable.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A tree was downed just north of Richmond.
May 2014Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A bowing segment brought widespread power outages throughout the county. Several trees were downed in Richmond.
February 2014Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The Madison County emergency management reported that debris covered a portion of Dayview Road in Richmond.
April 2013Flash FloodRichmond-Tate's Creek overflowed, briefly closing a portion of Tate's Creek Road.
November 2013Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The Waco fire department reported trees down on Goggins Lane and Redhouse Road. Downed trees also blocked Tates Creek Road, Four Mile Road and Summit Street. Nearby, a Kentucky mesonet site measured a 48 mph wind gust. In Richmond, a weather station located at Hummel Planetarium measured a 56 mph wind gust.
August 2013Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A thunderstorm toppled a tree in Richmond.
March 2012Flash FloodRichmond-Flash flooding closed two roads just to the south of Richmond. State Highway 25 was briefly closed near the Okonite Factory. Also, the intersection of Cal East and Mills Station Roads was briefly closed.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindRichmond-The County Emergency Manager reported a roof off both a house and a barn at 880 Duncannon Lane.
July 2012HailRichmond-Local media reported quarter sized hail just north of Richmond.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A tree was blown down.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A tree was blown down on Fairview Rd.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindRichmond-Two tractor trailers were blown over on Interstate 75 - one at the 77 mile marker (southbound) and the other at the 91 mile marker (northbound). Trees and power lines were also reported downed across the county.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindRichmond-A rail car was blown over in Richmond.

Every storm recorded in Madison County

Newspapers printed here

13,521 digitised pages

7 papers published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 2,489 issues, 13,521 pages. Every page is searchable, so a name or a street can be looked for directly in what the town printed about itself at the time.

NewspaperPublished
The Climax1887 to 1897
The Richmond Climax1897 to 1914
The Madisonian1913 to 1914
The Climax-Madisonian1914 to 1917
The Richmond Climax1917 to 191?
The Kentucky Register190? to 1917
Richmond Daily Register1917 to 1978

What the paper printed

78,968 words

Front pages of the local paper, read from the Library of Congress scans: 25 issues spread across its run from 1887 to 1922, 78,968 words in total. Each is reproduced on its own page, exactly as the recogniser returned it.

These pages read less well than anything else here, and the number is worth stating: about three words in four come through cleanly, against nine in ten for the building records. An 1896 broadsheet sets eight-point type in seven columns on microfilm, which is the hardest thing in this archive to read by machine. We tested our own recognisers against the Library's and they were not better, so the Library's text is what appears, with the wholly unreadable columns removed. Read it as a guide to what the paper covered, and follow the link to the scan before quoting anything.

IssuePaper Length
1887-06-22The Climax2,560 words
1887-08-03The Climax2,546 words
1887-09-14The Climax2,678 words
1887-10-26The Climax1,462 words
1887-12-07The Climax2,601 words
1897-06-30The Richmond Climax4,449 words
1897-08-25The Richmond Climax5,242 words
1897-10-27The Richmond Climax4,043 words
1914-09-30The Richmond Climax3,200 words
1913-03-11The Madisonian3,987 words
1913-05-27The Madisonian4,163 words
1913-08-05The Madisonian3,979 words
1913-10-15The Madisonian643 words
1914-09-29The Madisonian5,077 words
1914-10-14The Climax-Madisonian2,758 words
1914-10-28The Climax-Madisonian820 words
1914-12-16The Climax-Madisonian4,991 words
1917-04-18The Climax-Madisonian5,016 words
1917-10-31The Richmond Climax4,490 words
1916-10-27The Kentucky Register1,248 words
1917-04-13The Kentucky Register6,025 words
1918-01-18Richmond Daily Register3,088 words
1918-11-08Richmond Daily Register730 words
1918-11-11Richmond Daily Register321 words
1922-12-22Richmond Daily Register2,851 words

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Rosedale (historical)0.6 miles16
Arlington1.1 miles16
Hillcrest1.4 miles16
Reeds Crossing3.9 miles15
Caleast4.4 miles17
Terrill4.7 miles17
Million5.4 miles15
Peytontown5.7 miles17

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on RichmondAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q757390The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 501827. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.