Summer Shade is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Metcalfe County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 294.

History
Originally the area was known as "Sartain Precinct" and later as "Glover's Creek"; W.M. Riggs, the postmaster, changed the name to Summer Shade in 1872.

Geography
Summer Shade is located in southwestern Metcalfe County. Kentucky Route 90 (KY 90), connecting Glasgow to Burkesville and the Dale Hollow Lake area, runs through Summer Shade. Glasgow is  to the northwest, while Burkesville is  to the southeast. KY 640 leads north from Summer Shade  to Wisdom and  to Knob Lick. KY 163 passes just east of the community, leading north  to Edmonton, the Metcalfe county seat, and south  to Tompkinsville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Summer Shade CDP has an area of , of which , or 0.25%, are water. The community sits on a ridge that drains to the west and north to Glover Creek and south to Nobob Creek. Both creeks flow west toward Skaggs Creek, a tributary of the Barren River and part of the Green River watershed.

The rural-dominated area is home to the Kingsford Charcoal factory. Located  east of Summer Shade on KY 90 near Beaumont, it identifies itself as a Summer Shade-based business.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Summer Shade has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

Education
There was one school in Summer Shade that was known as Summer Shade Elementary School. It went from grades K-6. Currently, students go to Metcalfe County Elementary in Edmonton.

Notable people
 Charles "Pat" Dougherty (1879-1939), baseball pitcher in the pre-Negro leagues

References

Census-designated places in Metcalfe County, Kentucky
Unincorporated communities in Kentucky
Glasgow, Kentucky, micropolitan area
Census-designated places in Kentucky
Unincorporated communities in Metcalfe County, Kentucky