Lawrence County
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
 (2020)
 • Total16,293
 • Estimate 
(2022)
16,109 Decrease
 • Density39/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 2020 census, the population was 16,293.[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 United States 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.

Bordering Counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
202016,2932.7%
2022 (est.)16,109[7]−1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census of 2000, 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

Lawrence County is a state bellwether in presidential elections, having voted for Kentucky's statewide winner in every election since 1956.[13]

United States presidential election results for Lawrence County, Kentucky[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 5,633 80.99% 1,238 17.80% 84 1.21%
2016 4,816 79.71% 1,045 17.30% 181 3.00%
2012 3,995 71.44% 1,520 27.18% 77 1.38%
2008 3,503 62.01% 2,036 36.04% 110 1.95%
2004 3,755 57.65% 2,705 41.53% 53 0.81%
2000 2,969 55.94% 2,258 42.55% 80 1.51%
1996 1,812 40.24% 2,195 48.75% 496 11.01%
1992 2,084 41.21% 2,400 47.46% 573 11.33%
1988 2,294 50.89% 2,198 48.76% 16 0.35%
1984 2,713 54.71% 2,223 44.83% 23 0.46%
1980 2,564 51.49% 2,362 47.43% 54 1.08%
1976 1,838 42.91% 2,402 56.08% 43 1.00%
1972 2,392 60.48% 1,529 38.66% 34 0.86%
1968 1,946 45.80% 1,825 42.95% 478 11.25%
1964 1,745 39.17% 2,703 60.67% 7 0.16%
1960 3,030 54.69% 2,510 45.31% 0 0.00%
1956 2,932 53.92% 2,495 45.88% 11 0.20%
1952 2,696 50.85% 2,597 48.98% 9 0.17%
1948 2,117 46.50% 2,372 52.10% 64 1.41%
1944 2,715 52.87% 2,408 46.89% 12 0.23%
1940 3,055 48.86% 3,178 50.83% 19 0.30%
1936 2,944 48.04% 3,175 51.81% 9 0.15%
1932 2,766 42.59% 3,701 56.99% 27 0.42%
1928 3,277 59.59% 2,217 40.32% 5 0.09%
1924 2,547 50.16% 2,445 48.15% 86 1.69%
1920 2,849 52.44% 2,558 47.08% 26 0.48%
1916 1,928 49.67% 1,910 49.20% 44 1.13%
1912 1,280 35.48% 1,648 45.68% 680 18.85%

Communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  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 July 26, 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. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  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. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  14. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

Further reading

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

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