Eminence, Kentucky

Eminence is located in southern Henry County at 38°22′5″N 85°10′50″W (38.368127, -85.180449).[5] It is bordered to the south by Shelby County.

Kentucky Route 55 is Main Street through Eminence. KY 55 leads north 4 miles (6 km) to New Castle, the Henry County seat, and south 12 miles (19 km) to Shelbyville. U.S. Route 421 passes 2 miles (3 km) east of Eminence; it leads north to New Castle and southeast 25 miles (40 km) to Frankfort, the state capital.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Eminence has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.4 km²), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²), or 1.70%, is water.[4] The city is located on high ground, with elevations up to 960 feet (290 m), where several watersheds converge. The source of the Little Kentucky River, a tributary of the Kentucky River, is just west of Eminence, while Town Creek to the north and Drennon Creek to the east also rise in Eminence and flow north to the Kentucky River. Fox Run rises in the southern part of Eminence and flows south via Bullskin Creek and Brashears Creek to the Salt River. The Kentucky and the Salt River are both tributaries of the Ohio River.

The area post office, established in 1836, was moved to Eminence in 1850, and named for its supposed location at the highest point on the railroad line between Louisville and Lexington.[6][7] The city was formally incorporated in 1851.[8][9]

The Eminence Historic Commercial District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[10][11]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 2,231 people, 944 households, and 623 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,039.2 people per square mile (400.6/km²). There were 998 housing units at an average density of 464.9 per square mile (179.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.59% White, 11.65% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 2.11% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.81% of the population.

There were 944 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,323, and the median income for a family was $36,053. Males had a median income of $30,893 versus $21,042 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,337. About 14.9% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 21.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education in Eminence is administered by the Eminence Independent School District.[14]

Eminence has a lending library, the Henry County Public Library.[15]

The city is home to the Highland Renaissance Festival, which runs from May through July. Eminence also hosts a Celtic Fest in September.

Anne Braden (1924-2006), civil rights activist

David Emmanuel Goatley, Research Professor of Theology and Black Church Studies, Duke Divinity School[16]

James Green, track star, first Black student-athlete to graduate from University of Kentucky[17]

Sharon Ruble, bass player, member of Reel World String Band[18]

Hollis Summers, (1916-1987), poet, novelist, short story writer and editor

• City of Eminence official website
• Eminence Independent School District