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Washington County, Kentucky

Coordinates: 37°45′N 85°10′W / 37.75°N 85.17°W / 37.75; -85.17
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For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).

Washington County
County
Washington County courthouse in Springfield
Washington County courthouse in Springfield
Map of Kentucky highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°45′N 85°10′W / 37.75°N 85.17°W / 37.75; -85.17
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
 (2020)
 • Total12,027
 • Estimate 
(2023)
12,267 Increase
 • Density40/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.washingtoncountyky.com

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,027.[1] Its county seat is Springfield.[2] The county is named for George Washington.[3] 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

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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

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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

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
202012,0272.6%
2023 (est.)12,267[13]2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2021[18]

As of the census[19] 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

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The county is served by Washington County Schools, a district that contains five schools:[20]

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

Communities

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Cities

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Washington County, Kentucky[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,720 74.48% 1,533 24.19% 84 1.33%
2020 4,482 72.00% 1,644 26.41% 99 1.59%
2016 4,013 71.20% 1,420 25.20% 203 3.60%
2012 3,495 66.97% 1,669 31.98% 55 1.05%
2008 3,305 62.65% 1,890 35.83% 80 1.52%
2004 3,479 66.44% 1,724 32.93% 33 0.63%
2000 3,044 66.35% 1,458 31.78% 86 1.87%
1996 2,116 50.85% 1,639 39.39% 406 9.76%
1992 2,098 44.69% 2,008 42.77% 589 12.55%
1988 2,445 54.89% 1,950 43.78% 59 1.32%
1984 2,804 60.24% 1,786 38.37% 65 1.40%
1980 2,008 47.26% 2,147 50.53% 94 2.21%
1976 1,765 41.68% 2,376 56.10% 94 2.22%
1972 2,378 58.70% 1,552 38.31% 121 2.99%
1968 1,863 46.35% 1,675 41.68% 481 11.97%
1964 1,561 35.88% 2,790 64.12% 0 0.00%
1960 2,632 52.40% 2,391 47.60% 0 0.00%
1956 2,536 54.69% 2,084 44.94% 17 0.37%
1952 2,290 51.87% 2,114 47.88% 11 0.25%
1948 1,813 45.44% 2,121 53.16% 56 1.40%
1944 2,353 50.56% 2,283 49.05% 18 0.39%
1940 2,362 47.47% 2,612 52.49% 2 0.04%
1936 2,391 48.37% 2,516 50.90% 36 0.73%
1932 2,340 44.97% 2,841 54.60% 22 0.42%
1928 2,933 56.36% 2,266 43.54% 5 0.10%
1924 2,286 50.39% 2,238 49.33% 13 0.29%
1920 2,892 52.56% 2,600 47.26% 10 0.18%
1916 1,654 49.77% 1,654 49.77% 15 0.45%
1912 1,170 41.47% 1,329 47.11% 322 11.41%
1908 1,515 48.06% 1,615 51.24% 22 0.70%
1904 1,448 48.77% 1,482 49.92% 39 1.31%
1900 1,600 48.50% 1,669 50.59% 30 0.91%
1896 1,573 49.51% 1,536 48.35% 68 2.14%
1892 1,035 41.55% 1,193 47.89% 263 10.56%
1888 1,365 50.37% 1,328 49.00% 17 0.63%
1884 1,133 49.61% 1,144 50.09% 7 0.31%
1880 1,172 46.34% 1,319 52.16% 38 1.50%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Washington County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  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. p. 37.
  4. ^ "Springfield, Kentucky and Washington County". KyHomeTown.com. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  5. ^ "Population and Population Centers by State: 2000". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  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 May 7, 2013.
  11. ^ "Springfield, Kentucky". The City of Springfield, KY. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  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. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  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. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ "Washington County School District". education.com. Retrieved May 31, 2009.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.

37°45′N 85°10′W / 37.75°N 85.17°W / 37.75; -85.17

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