Lawrence County, Kentucky

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Lawrence County
U.S. county
Lawrence County Courthouse in Louisa
Lawrence County Courthouse in Louisa
Map of Kentucky highlighting Lawrence County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°04′N 82°44′W / 38.06°N 82.73°W / 38.06; -82.73
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedDecember 14, 1821
Named forJames Lawrence
SeatLouisa
Largest cityLouisa
Area
 • Total420 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Land416 sq mi (1,080 km2)
 • Water4.5 sq mi (12 km2)  1.1%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
15,571
 • Density38/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.lawrencecounty.ky.gov

Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 15,860.[1] Its county seat is Louisa.[2] The county is named for James Lawrence,[3] and co-founded by Isaac Bolt, who served as a Lawrence County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace.

Lawrence County is the home of bluegrass music and country music star Tyler Childers. It is the birthplace of the late Chief Justice of the United States Frederick Moore Vinson and former Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton. In regard to alcoholic beverage sales, Lawrence County is considered a "moist" county, meaning alcohol sales are only allowed within the city limits of Louisa. There are no alcohol sales within the rest of the county. Only two stores sell liquor (to prevent a monopoly), and most convenience stores sell beer and malted beverages.

History[]

Lawrence County was established in 1821 from land given by Floyd and Greenup Counties.[4] Four courthouses have served Lawrence County; the first was completed in 1823.[5]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 420 square miles (1,100 km2), of which 416 square miles (1,080 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.1%) is water.[6]

The bridge from Louisa, in eastern Lawrence County, to Fort Gay, West Virginia is something of a geographic and architectural oddity. The quarter-mile concrete span spans across the Levisa Fork and the Tug River that come together and form the Big Sandy River, connects two states and has a right turn at its halfway point, which connects traffic to the Point Section neighborhood of Louisa.

Yatesville Lake State Park[]

Yatesville Lake was opened in 1992 and is a 2,300 acres (9.3 km2) reservoir managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Yatesville Lake provides flood control for the region as well as recreational opportunities. The Corps manages a boat ramp at the Rich Creek area.

Adjacent counties[]

Historical population
Census Pop.
18303,900
18404,73021.3%
18506,28132.8%
18607,60121.0%
18708,49711.8%
188013,26256.1%
189017,70233.5%
190019,61210.8%
191020,0672.3%
192017,643−12.1%
193016,713−5.3%
194017,2753.4%
195014,418−16.5%
196012,134−15.8%
197010,726−11.6%
198014,12131.7%
199013,998−0.9%
200015,56911.2%
201015,8601.9%
2018 (est.)15,571[7]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2013[1]
  • Carter County (northwest)
  • Boyd County (north)
  • Wayne County, West Virginia (east)
  • Martin County (southeast)
  • Johnson County (south)
  • Morgan County (southwest)
  • Elliott County (west)

Demographics[]

At the 2000 census there were 15,569 people, 5,954 households, and 4,477 families in the county. The population density was 37 per square mile (14/km2). There were 7,040 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.93% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.41%.[12] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 5,954 households 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 22.40% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median household income was $21,610 and the median family income was $26,113. Males had a median income of $30,735 versus $19,174 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,008. About 25.30% of families and 30.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.00% of those under age 18 and 27.30% of those age 65 or over.

Politics[]

Presidential elections results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 81.0% 5,633 17.8% 1,238 1.2% 84
2016 79.7% 4,816 17.3% 1,045 3.0% 181
2012 71.4% 3,995 27.2% 1,520 1.4% 77
2008 62.0% 3,503 36.0% 2,036 2.0% 110
2004 57.7% 3,755 41.5% 2,705 0.8% 53
2000 55.9% 2,969 42.6% 2,258 1.5% 80
1996 40.2% 1,812 48.8% 2,195 11.0% 496
1992 41.2% 2,084 47.5% 2,400 11.3% 573
1988 50.9% 2,294 48.8% 2,198 0.4% 16
1984 54.7% 2,713 44.8% 2,223 0.5% 23
1980 51.5% 2,564 47.4% 2,362 1.1% 54
1976 42.9% 1,838 56.1% 2,402 1.0% 43
1972 60.5% 2,392 38.7% 1,529 0.9% 34
1968 45.8% 1,946 43.0% 1,825 11.3% 478
1964 39.2% 1,745 60.7% 2,703 0.2% 7
1960 54.7% 3,030 45.3% 2,510 0.0% 0
1956 53.9% 2,932 45.9% 2,495 0.2% 11
1952 50.9% 2,696 49.0% 2,597 0.2% 9
1948 46.5% 2,117 52.1% 2,372 1.4% 64
1944 52.9% 2,715 46.9% 2,408 0.2% 12
1940 48.9% 3,055 50.8% 3,178 0.3% 19
1936 48.0% 2,944 51.8% 3,175 0.2% 9
1932 42.6% 2,766 57.0% 3,701 0.4% 27
1928 59.6% 3,277 40.3% 2,217 0.1% 5
1924 50.2% 2,547 48.2% 2,445 1.7% 86
1920 52.4% 2,849 47.1% 2,558 0.5% 26
1916 49.7% 1,928 49.2% 1,910 1.1% 44
1912 35.5% 1,280 45.7% 1,648 18.9% 680

Communities[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 35.
  4. ^ "Lawrence County". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. 2000. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  5. ^ Hogan, Roseann Reinemuth (1992). Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research. Ancestry Publishing. p. 268. ISBN 9780916489496. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

Further reading[]

External links[]

Coordinates: 38°04′N 82°44′W / 38.06°N 82.73°W / 38.06; -82.73

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