The city serves as the center for work and shopping for south-central Kentucky, with many local and chain options alike.

In addition, Richmond is the principal city of the Richmond-Berea, Kentucky Micropolitan Area, which includes all of Madison and Rockcastle counties.

[5] According to lore, he was attracted to the area by its good spring water and friendly Native Americans.

[5] Although the residents of Milford strongly opposed the move, the county approved the transfer in March 1798.

[5] On July 4, 1798, the new town was named Richmond in honor of Miller's Virginia birthplace.

[7] Kentucky was a southern border state during the Civil War and remained mostly in the Union, even though early in the war, 68 of 110 Kentucky counties seceded to join the Confederacy; however, the state largely came back under U.S. control after early 1862.

[5][8] One historian called this battle "the nearest thing to a Cannae ever scored by any general, North or South, in the course of the whole war.

"[5][9][page needed] In 1906, Eastern Kentucky State Normal School was founded in Richmond to train teachers.

[5][10] In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Richmond saw significant growth, becoming the state's seventh-largest city in 2009.

U.S. Route 25 forms the eastern bypass around the city, leading northwest to Lexington and south 14 mi (23 km) to Berea.

U.S. Route 421 parallels U.S. 25 on the eastern bypass of the city, leading northwest to Lexington (with U.S. 25 and I-75) and southeast 34 mi (55 km) to McKee.

[citation needed] The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

The Board of Commissioners is the legislative body of the city government and represents the interests of the citizens when applicable.

[citation needed] Richmond is served by the Madison County Public School System.

The two routes run north to Lexington and diverge approximately five miles south of the city.