Berea

History

The history of Berea is tied with the history of Berea College, which was founded in 1855. The Berea railway station was created in 1882 as part of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and later the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N).

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.32%) is water. The city is located along Interstate 75, which runs to the west of downtown, with access from exits 76 and 77. Via I-75, Lexington is north, and Knoxville, Tennessee is south. U.S. Route 25 is the main highway through the center of city, leading north to Richmond, the Madison County seat, and south to Mount Vernon. Kentucky Route 21 also runs through the city as well, leading east to Bighill and northwest to Paint Lick. Berea is located on the border of the Cumberland Plateau. The area has a mountainous appearance, but most outcroppings in the area have a maximum elevation of . Berea has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and relatively cold winters. Summers tend to be humid and sunny, with occasional storms, while winters are generally cold with many milder periods.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  5,547
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  4,528
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  4,395
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  4,382
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  3,743
• House Finch

  Haemorhous mexicanus (P.L.Statius Müller, 1776) · Aves
  3,693
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  3,683
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  3,476

Most recent

• M 3.09 — 2025-12-28
  11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky
• M 2.75 — 2025-05-11
  11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky
• M 2.63 — 2023-08-04
  11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky
• M 2.64 — 2023-01-12
  4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky
• M 2.67 — 2019-10-12
  21 km ENE of Somerset, Kentucky
• M 2.72 — 2018-01-22
  13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky