| Grayson County, Kentucky | |
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Grayson County courthouse in Leitchfield, Kentucky
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Location in the state of Kentucky |
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Kentucky's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1810 |
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| Named for | Colonel William Grayson (1740–1790), American Revolutionary War aide to George Washington, delegate to the Virginia General Assembly and Continental Congress, United States Senator. |
| Seat | Leitchfield |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
510.85 sq mi (1,323 km²) 503.68 sq mi (1,305 km²) 7.17 sq mi (19 km²), 1.40% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
24,053 48/sq mi (19/km²) |
| Time zone | Central: UTC-6/-5 |
| Website | www.graysoncountychamber.com |
Grayson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1810. As of 2000, the population was 24,053. Its county seat is Leitchfield[1]. The county is named for William Grayson (1740-1790), a Revolutionary War colonel and a prominent Virginia political figure. It is a prohibition or dry county, though a bill was passed on March 23, 2010 to allow limited alcohol sales in restaurants.[2]
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Grayson County is part of the Western Coal Fields region of Kentucky. According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 510.85 square miles (1,323.1 km2), of which 503.68 square miles (1,304.5 km2) (or 98.60%) is land and 7.17 square miles (18.6 km2) (or 1.40%) is water.[3]
Grayson County is home to two large lakes, the Rough River Lake on the northern border of the county and Nolin River Lake in the south. The lakes attract many tourists and have led to the nickname "Twin Lakes" region being applied to the county as a whole.
| Historical populations | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 4,055 |
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| 1830 | 3,880 | −4.3% | |
| 1840 | 4,461 | 15.0% | |
| 1850 | 6,837 | 53.3% | |
| 1860 | 7,982 | 16.7% | |
| 1870 | 11,580 | 45.1% | |
| 1880 | 15,784 | 36.3% | |
| 1890 | 18,688 | 18.4% | |
| 1900 | 19,878 | 6.4% | |
| 1910 | 19,958 | 0.4% | |
| 1920 | 19,927 | −0.2% | |
| 1930 | 17,055 | −14.4% | |
| 1940 | 17,562 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 17,063 | −2.8% | |
| 1960 | 15,834 | −7.2% | |
| 1970 | 16,445 | 3.9% | |
| 1980 | 20,854 | 26.8% | |
| 1990 | 21,050 | 0.9% | |
| 2000 | 24,053 | 14.3% | |
| http://ukcc.uky.edu/~census/21085.txt | |||
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 24,053 people, 9,596 households, and 6,966 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 per square mile (19 /km2). There were 12,802 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (9.7 /km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.26% White, 0.50% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 9,596 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,639, and the median income for a family was $33,080. Males had a median income of $27,759 versus $19,302 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,759. About 13.90% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 15.70% of those age 65 or over.
Every July, Grayson County hosts the Official Kentucky State Old Time Fiddlers Contest, which brings many elite fiddlers from several states to the Rough River Dam State Resort Park area. The contest is a weekend event. Also in July, the local radio station holds the annual Freedom Festival which features music, fireworks, and a carnival. In late August and early September, Grayson County hosts the annual Grayson County Fair, which entertains locals and guests with music, a carnival, a Truck and Tractor Pull, a Demolition Derby, and ends on Labor Day with a parade through Leitchfield. In September the city of Clarkson hosts the annual Honeyfest. The Honeyfest kicks off with a parade in which the Grayson County High School Band and the Grayson County Middle School Band performs. Many floats with the main subject of bees and honey are presented and advertise the many businesses in and surrounding Grayson County. This festival celebrates the city and the contributions of Clarkson's Walter T. Kelley Beehive Factory.
In early October, the city of Caneyville holds the annual Caneyville Fair.
Also, the county is home to several attractions. In addition to the previously mentioned lakes is the historic Pine Knob Theatre, located in the community of Pine Knob. Other attractions are Calvin Ray's Live Music just west of Leitchfield, and three golf courses, including 18 hole Lafayette Golf Course in Falls of Rough.
Grayson County High School also has many extra activities in which the children can participate in and the parents can enjoy varying from sports to Chorus. Grayson County is also home to the Grayson County High School Cougar Marching Band.
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