Washington County, Kentucky

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 11,717.[1] Its county seat is Springfield.[2] The county is named for George Washington.[3]

For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).
Washington County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°45′N 85°10′W
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1792
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatSpringfield
Largest citySpringfield
Area
 • Total301 sq mi (780 km2)
 • Land297 sq mi (770 km2)
 • Water3.9 sq mi (10 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total11,717
 • Estimate 
(2018)
12,084
 • Density39/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.washingtoncountyky.com

Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood, and the sixteenth county formed.[4] The center of population of Kentucky is located in Washington County, in the city of Willisburg.[5]

The county is dry, meaning that the sale of alcohol is prohibited, but it contains the "wet" city of Springfield, where retail alcohol sales are allowed. This classifies the jurisdiction as a moist county. Three wineries operate in the county and are licensed separately to sell to the public.[6] Jacob Beam, founder of Jim Beam whiskey, sold his first barrel of whiskey in Washington County.[7]

History

Washington County was established in 1792 from land taken from Nelson County.[8] It was the first county created by the Commonwealth of Kentucky after its separation from Virginia.[9]

The Washington County Courthouse, completed in 1816, is the oldest courthouse still in use in Kentucky.[10] A significant county court record is the marriage bond of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, parents of President Abraham Lincoln.[11] The bond is dated June 10, 1806; it was written the day before the marriage in the small community of Beechland, on the Little Beech River. The marriage return was signed by Jesse Head, the Methodist preacher who performed the ceremony, and dates the marriage to June 12, 1806.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 301 square miles (780 km2), of which 297 square miles (770 km2) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km2) (1.3%) is water.[12]

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18009,050—
181013,24846.4%
182015,94720.4%
183019,01719.3%
184010,596−44.3%
185012,19415.1%
186011,575−5.1%
187012,4647.7%
188014,41915.7%
189013,622−5.5%
190014,1824.1%
191013,940−1.7%
192014,7736.0%
193012,623−14.6%
194012,9652.7%
195012,777−1.5%
196011,168−12.6%
197010,728−3.9%
198010,7640.3%
199010,441−3.0%
200010,9164.5%
201011,7177.3%
2018 (est.)12,084[13]3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2013[1]

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 10,916 people, 4,121 households, and 3,020 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 per square mile (14/km2). There were 4,542 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.62% White, 7.51% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.61% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,121 households, out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.

The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,136, and the median income for a family was $39,240. Males had a median income of $27,624 versus $21,593 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,722. About 10.30% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 19.60% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The county is served by Washington County Schools, a district that contains five schools:[19]

St. Catharine College (now closed) is located near Springfield.

Communities

Politics
Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 71.2% 4,013 25.2% 1,420 3.6% 203
2012 67.0% 3,495 32.0% 1,669 1.1% 55
2008 62.7% 3,305 35.8% 1,890 1.5% 80
2004 66.4% 3,479 32.9% 1,724 0.6% 33
2000 66.4% 3,044 31.8% 1,458 1.9% 86
1996 50.9% 2,116 39.4% 1,639 9.8% 406
1992 44.7% 2,098 42.8% 2,008 12.5% 589
1988 54.9% 2,445 43.8% 1,950 1.3% 59
1984 60.2% 2,804 38.4% 1,786 1.4% 65
1980 47.3% 2,008 50.5% 2,147 2.2% 94
1976 41.7% 1,765 56.1% 2,376 2.2% 94
1972 58.7% 2,378 38.3% 1,552 3.0% 121
1968 46.4% 1,863 41.7% 1,675 12.0% 481
1964 35.9% 1,561 64.1% 2,790 0.0% 0
1960 52.4% 2,632 47.6% 2,391 0.0% 0
1956 54.7% 2,536 44.9% 2,084 0.4% 17
1952 51.9% 2,290 47.9% 2,114 0.3% 11
1948 45.4% 1,813 53.2% 2,121 1.4% 56
1944 50.6% 2,353 49.1% 2,283 0.4% 18
1940 47.5% 2,362 52.5% 2,612 0.0% 2
1936 48.4% 2,391 50.9% 2,516 0.7% 36
1932 45.0% 2,340 54.6% 2,841 0.4% 22
1928 56.4% 2,933 43.5% 2,266 0.1% 5
1924 50.4% 2,286 49.3% 2,238 0.3% 13
1920 52.6% 2,892 47.3% 2,600 0.2% 10
1916 49.8% 1,654 49.8% 1,654 0.5% 15
1912 41.5% 1,170 47.1% 1,329 11.4% 322

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. 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. p. 37.
  4. "Springfield, Kentucky and Washington County". KyHomeTown.com. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  5. "Population and Population Centers by State: 2000". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  6. "Wet & Dry Counties in Kentucky" (PDF). Kentucky Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  7. "Review: Jim Beam", Alternative Whisky Academy
  8. Kentucky County Formation Chart, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, accessed June 2018.
  9. Collins, Lewis (1882). Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky: History of Kentucky, Volume 2. Collins & Company. p. 26.
  10. Day, Teresa (January 30, 2005). Fun With the Family Kentucky: Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips with the Kids. Globe Pequot. p. 41. ISBN 9780762734900. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  11. "Springfield, Kentucky". The City of Springfield, KY. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  12. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  13. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  19. "Washington County School District". education.com. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

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