Loretto, Kentucky

Loretto is a home rule-class city in Marion County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 623 at the 2000 census.It is best known as the home of the Maker's Mark bourbon distillery.HistoryThe city takes its name from the Sisters of Loretto, a Catholic congregation founded in 1812 at nearby St. Mary's. The sisters themselves were named for Loreto in Italy, the site of the Basilica della Santa Casa which supposedly contains the original home of the Virgin Mary.The sisters began a school at the site to educate the frontier children. By 1833, the community was large enough for its own post office. It was formally incorporated in 1866.GeographyLoretto is located at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5sqmi, all land.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, there were 623 people, 252 households, and 172 families residing in the city. The population density was 177.2/sqmi. There were 269 housing units at an average density of 76.5/sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.52% White, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16% of the population.