Richmond, Kentucky

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Richmond, Kentucky
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Richmond, Kentucky


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Kentucky
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Madison
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Connie Lawson
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 49.9
area_land_km2 = 49.5
area_water_km2 = 0.4
area_total_sq_mi = 19.3
area_land_sq_mi = 19.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 27152
population_density_km2 = 548.4
population_density_sq_mi = 1420.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 289
elevation_ft = 948
latd = 37 |latm = 44 |lats = 41 |latNS = N
longd = 84 |longm = 17 |longs = 37 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 40475-40476
area_code = 859
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 21-65226
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0501827
website =
footnotes =

Richmond is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States.GR|6 It is named after Richmond, Virginia, and is the home of Eastern Kentucky University. The population was 27,152 at the 2000 census.

Richmond is a principal city of the Richmond–Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Madison and Rockcastle counties.

History

The City of Richmond was founded in the year of 1798, by Colonel John Miller, who was active in the Revolutionary War as a soldier. According to local lore, Colonel Miller was attracted to the area by the uncommonly good spring water and friendly local Indian tribes. This same year, the county seat was moved from Milford to Richmond, which was the area owned by the Colonel at the time.

This caused numerous fights between residents of Milford, and the county and residents of Richmond who adamantly opposed the move. This resulted in a duel between Dave Kennedy and William Kearly (represented Richmond). Fact|date=February 2007

These fights' results were never recorded, but based on the fact that the county seat was changed to Richmond, it can be assumed that Richmond did in fact win. The name was officially given to the community in 1798 in honor of Miller's birthplace, Richmond, Virginia.

Geography

Richmond is located at coor dms|37|44|41|N|84|17|37|W|city (37.744720, -84.293562)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.2 square miles (49.9 km²), of which, 19.1 square miles (49.5 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (0.73%) is water.

Education

Eastern Kentucky University is located in Richmond, Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Eastern Kentucky University now offers 168 degree programs and serves over 16,000 students a year.

Law and Government

Richmond operates under a City Manager form of government. The citizens elect a mayor and four city commissioners which form the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners is the legislative body of the city government and represents the interests of the citizens when applicable. The Board of Commissioners appoints a city manager who administers the day-to-day operations of the city.

The mayor is elected for a term of four years. Each city commissioner is elected for a term of two years. The term of the city manager is indefinite.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 27,152 people, 10,795 households, and 5,548 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,420.4 people per square mile (548.3/km²). There were 11,857 housing units at an average density of 620.3/sq mi (239.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.30% White, 8.27% African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.

There were 10,795 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.78.

The age distribution, influenced strongly by the presence of Eastern Kentucky University, is: 17.5% under the age of 18, 31.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,533, and the median income for a family was $36,222. Males had a median income of $30,817 versus $22,053 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,815. About 16.6% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.2% of those under age 18 and 19.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable Residents

* Kit Carson, born near Richmond
* Earle Combs, Yankee great, Hall of Fame member, longtime resident
* Odon Guitar, a brigadier general of Missouri State Militia in the American Civil War, was born in Richmond
* James B. McCreary, senator and two term governor of Kentucky
* Samuel Freeman Miller, United States Supreme Court Justice
* Leigh Ann Hester of the Kentucky Army National Guard, first female in United States military history to be cited for valor in close quarters combat, for action near Salman Pak, Iraq on March 20, 2005.

References

External links

* [http://www.richmond.ky.us/ City of Richmond]