Lawrence County, Kentucky
| Lawrence County, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
 Location in the state of Kentucky | |
 Kentucky's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | 1822 |
| Named for | James Lawrence (1781–1813), naval commander during the War of 1812. |
| Seat | Louisa |
| Area | |
| • Total | 420.12 sq mi (1,088 km2) |
| • Land | 418.78 sq mi (1,085 km2) |
| • Water | 1.35 sq mi (3 km2), 0.32% |
| Population | |
| • (2010) | 15,860 |
| • Density | 38/sq mi (15/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website | www.lawrencecoky.com |
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 15,860. Its county seat is Louisa[1]. The county is named for James Lawrence,[2] and co-founded by Isaac Bolt, who served as a Lawrence County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. It is the home of bluegrass music and country music star Ricky Skaggs. 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 alcohol sales, Lawrence County is a dry county, meaning the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited everywhere in the county.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 420.12 square miles (1,088.1 km2), of which 418.78 square miles (1,084.6 km2) (or 99.68%) is land and 1.35 square miles (3.5 km2) (or 0.32%) is water.[3]
Points of Interest
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 Little Sandy River 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.
Yatesville Lake State Park is a 580 acres (2.3 km2) state recreational park which offers:
Swimming and Beach Additionally the park offers a public beach area equipped with playgrounds, restrooms & showers, and a snack bar is located near the marina.
Yatesville Lake State Park Marina The only marina on Yatesville Lake offering pontoon boat/john boat rentals, picnic shelters, bait, fishing licenses, ships’ store, 4-lane boat ramp and 147 boat slips.
Yatesville Lake State Park Campground
- Rustic cabin in wooded area at Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa, Lawrence County, Kentucky.47 campsites which can meet every camper’s need
- 27 RV/Camper sites with electric and water hookups at each site
- 4 primitive tent sites
- 16 secluded primitive campsites that are only accessible by boat or the avid backpacker
- 6 restroom facilities
- 1 centrally located bathhouse and playground
- Boat launching ramp nearby
Eagle Ridge Golf Course Yatesville Lake State Park features an 18 hole championship golf course--part of the Kentucky State Park “Signature Series” Golf Trail. Received the Golf Digest Magazine 2005 national award, "The Third Most Affordable New Public Golf Course." New clubhouse and on-course restrooms added in mid-summer of 2007.
Other Activities Miniature Golf A miniature golf course is located near the campgrounds.
Walking/Hiking, Picnicking & Playground The picnic pavilion at Yatesville Lake includes two picnic shelters, a playground area, volleyball, grill, water, and a lakeside setting. The large shelter can hold up to 10 picnic tables while the smaller shelter is often used as an entertainment stage. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. There is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors on several walking and hiking trails for all skill levels. Visit http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/yl/trails/ for Trail Information.
Adjacent Counties
- Carter County (northwest)
- Boyd County (north)
- Wayne County, West Virginia (east)
- Martin County (southeast)
- Johnson County (south)
- Morgan County (southwest)
- Elliott County (west)
History
Lawrence County was established in 1822 from land given by Floyd and Greenup counties. Three courthouses have served Lawrence County; the first was completed in 1823 and the third was completed in 1964.[4]
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 3,900 | ||
| 1840 | 4,730 | 21.3% | |
| 1850 | 6,281 | 32.8% | |
| 1860 | 7,601 | 21.0% | |
| 1870 | 8,497 | 11.8% | |
| 1880 | 13,262 | 56.1% | |
| 1890 | 17,702 | 33.5% | |
| 1900 | 19,612 | 10.8% | |
| 1910 | 20,067 | 2.3% | |
| 1920 | 17,643 | −12.1% | |
| 1930 | 16,713 | −5.3% | |
| 1940 | 17,275 | 3.4% | |
| 1950 | 14,418 | −16.5% | |
| 1960 | 12,134 | −15.8% | |
| 1970 | 10,726 | −11.6% | |
| 1980 | 14,121 | 31.7% | |
| 1990 | 13,998 | −0.9% | |
| 2000 | 15,569 | 11.2% | |
| 2010 | 15,860 | 1.9% | |
| Est. 2012 | 15,848 | −0.1% | |
2012 Estimate[6] | |||
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 15,569 people, 5,954 households, and 4,477 families residing 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% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,954 households out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the county was $21,610, and the median income for a family 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.
Cities and towns
See also
References
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 35.
- ↑ "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. Retrieved 2011-02-13.
- ↑ Hogan, Roseann Reinemuth (1992). "Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research". Ancestry Publishing. p. 268. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Census.gov. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
External links
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Coordinates: 38°04′N 82°44′W / 38.06°N 82.73°W