Carlisle is a home rule-class city[4] in Nicholas County, Kentucky, United States.

Carlisle was founded in 1816 when John Kincart donated land to facilitate the relocation of the county seat from Ellisville, 5 miles (8.0 km) to the north.

[6] According to the United States Census Bureau, Carlisle has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), all land.

There were 1,040 housing units at an average density of 768.2 per square mile (296.6/km2).

35% of all households were made up of individuals, and 37.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.