Somerset, Kentucky
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Somerset is a city in Pulaski County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 11,352 at the 2000 census. It was so named because the first settlers in the area were from Somerset County New Jersey. The completion of Lake Cumberland in the 1950's transformed Somerset from a sleepy rural community into one of the largest commercial centers in Kentucky. Today Somerset contains the longest continuous commercial strip outside of Kentucky's golden triangle (Louisville, Lexington, and Northern Kentucky) with US 27, the main road through the community, being lined with restaurants, hotels, and boat shops for 10 miles. Somerset is also close to Cumberland Falls and the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. It is the county seat of Pulaski CountyGR6.
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[edit] Geography
Somerset is located at (37.082966, -84.609387)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.2 km² (11.3 mi²). 29.2 km² (11.3 mi²) of it is land and 0.09% is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 11,352 people, 4,831 households, and 2,845 families residing in the city. The population density was 388.9/km² (1,007.1/mi²). There were 5,428 housing units at an average density of 186.0/km² (481.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.16% White, 3.66% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.99% of the population. However, there is a growing influx of immigrants mainly illegal who are not constituted in this census. In the past 10 years the growing Hispanic population is overwhelmingly evident.
There were 4,831 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,362, and the median income for a family was $31,226. Males had a median income of $28,536 versus $20,194 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,048. About 16.4% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.3% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Local Schools
There are several schools in the county, served by two main school systems. They are the Somerset Independent and Pulaski County School systems. Another system, the Science Hill Independent School System, includes pre-school through eighth grade. There are several other smaller schools, including Somerset Christian School and other Christian schools. The four main high schools are Southwestern, Pulaski County, Somerset, and Somerset Christian. The schools are usually around state averages. There is also a local (two-year) college, Somerset Community College.
[edit] Famous Citizens
- John Sherman Cooper - former Senator and member of the Warren Commission.
- Edwin P. Morrow - Kentucky Governor 1919-1923.
- Hal Rogers - District 5 U.S. Representative for the State of Kentucky.
- Sergeant Brent Woods - Medal of Honor Recipient 12 July 1894.
- Sam Catron - Former sheriff who was assassinated.
- Zach Arthur Bales - Local philanthropist.
- Wesley Hampton - just because..
