Washington County, Kentucky

Infobox U.S. County
county = Washington County
state = Kentucky


founded year = 1792
founded date =
seat wl = Springfield
largest city wl =
area_total_sq_mi = 302
area_total_km2 = 781
area_land_sq_mi = 301
area_land_km2 = 779
area_water_sq_mi = 1
area_water_km2 = 2
area percentage = 0.31%
census yr = 2000
pop = 10916
density_sq_mi = 36
density_km2 = 14
time zone = Eastern
UTC offset = -5
DST offset = -4
footnotes =
web = www.springfieldkentuckychamber.com
named for = George Washington (1732–1799), American Revolutionary War General and First President of the United States.

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 10,916. Its county seat is Springfield. The county is named for George Washington. Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood. [kyhometown.com [http://www.kyhometown.com/springfield/] ] The center of population of Kentucky is located in Washington County, in the city of Willisburg. [US Census [http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt] ]

The county is dry, meaning that the sale of alcohol is prohibited, but contains the wet city of Springfield, where retail alcohol sales are allowed. This makes Washington County a moist county. Three wineries also operate in the county and are licensed to sell to the public despite lying in otherwise dry territory. [cite web|url=http://www.abc.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/88403470-8A7E-410C-9816-8B520F7649C8/0/WetDryList.pdf |title=Wet & Dry Counties in Kentucky |publisher=Kentucky Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control |accessmonthday=March 21 |accessyear=2007] Jacob Beam, founder of Jim Beam whiskey, sold his first barrel of whiskey in Washington County. [ [http://www.awa.dk/whisky/beam/index.htm Jim Beam review by Alternative Whisky Academy Presents / Reviews : Jim Beam ] ]

The Washington County Courthouse, completed in 1816, is the oldest courthouse still in use in Kentucky.

A significant county court record is the marriage bond of President Abraham Lincoln's parents, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. [springfieldky.org [http://www.springfieldky.org/] ] The bond is dated June 10, 1806; 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 302 square miles (781 km²), of which, 301 square miles (779 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2 km²) of it (0.31%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

*Anderson County, Kentucky - northeast
*Mercer County, Kentucky - east
*Boyle County, Kentucky - east
*Marion County, Kentucky - south
*Nelson County, Kentucky - west

Demographics

USCensusPop
1800= 9050
1810= 13248
1820= 15947
1830= 19017
1840= 10596
1850= 12194
1860= 11575
1870= 12464
1880= 14419
1890= 13622
1900= 14182
1910= 13940
1920= 14773
1930= 12623
1940= 12965
1950= 12777
1960= 11168
1970= 10728
1980= 10764
1990= 10441
2000= 10916
estimate=
estyear=
estref=

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 10,916 people, 4,121 households, and 3,020 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 people per square mile (14/km²). There were 4,542 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/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.

Cities, towns and communities

*Bear Wallow
*Fredericktown
*Mackville
*Manton
*Springfield
*Willisburg

ee also

References