GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Georgetown, one of Kentucky's top 10 largest cities, has quickly become one of the fastest-growing cities in the Commonwealth with over 36,000 residents.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over the past 10 years, the city's population has grown by roughly 20%. 

Tom Prather, the mayor of Georgetown, can speak to that growth. He says he's seen rapid growth in his community, and he credits several institutions and businesses. Some of those include the Kentucky Horse Park, Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, Georgetown College, and one of the largest Toyota Manufacturing plants.

“Georgetown's an absolutely beautiful community, right in the heart of Central Kentucky. Something that is fascinating for a lot of people to know is that Georgetown was a city before Kentucky was a state,” Prather said.

Some of the biggest challenges that have followed Georgetown's growth have been producing enough income for residents moving to the city, especially during the pandemic. The Toyota plant was a big help in building and creating jobs for Kentuckians. 

“We need to continue to try and create jobs in Georgetown. Invite residential growth where it is appropriate and balanced. But understand that runaway growth, we simply cannot afford,” Prather said.

The mayor says continued growth throughout the city is part of future plans while making sure they do it in a way that will improve the lives of Kentuckians.

“The growth has been welcomed but it's beginning to cause some real problems in our ability to provide services. Residential growth rarely pays for itself in terms of necessary services for our economy to work well. It takes job creation, and that's what we've really focused on,” Prather said.