Editing McCracken County, Kentucky

{{short description|County in Kentucky, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = McCracken County
 | state                = Kentucky
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1825
 | founded date         = January 15th
 | seat wl              = Paducah
 | largest city wl      = Paducah
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 268
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 249
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 19
 | area percentage      = 7.2
 | census yr            = 2020
 | population_total     = 67875
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 67550 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = mccrackencountyky.gov
 | named for            = [[Virgil McCracken]]
 | ex image             = McCracken County Courthouse KY.JPG
 | ex image cap         = McCracken County courthouse in Paducah
 | district             = 1st
}}

'''McCracken County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the far west portion of [[U.S. state]] of [[Kentucky]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 67,875.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/mccrackencountykentucky/PST045221 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[county seat]] and only municipality is [[Paducah, Kentucky|Paducah]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> McCracken County was the 78th county formed in the state, having been created in 1825.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Collins |first=Lewis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F5FQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA593 |title=History of Kentucky |year=1877 |isbn=9780722249208 |page=593}}</ref> It is part of the historic [[Jackson Purchase]], territory sold by the Chickasaw people to General [[Andrew Jackson]] and Governor [[Isaac Shelby]]; this territory was located at the extreme western end of Kentucky.

Paducah developed based on its "River and Rail" traffic. Steamboats, barges, and the [[Illinois Central Railroad]] were the basis of the economy into the late 20th century. In the 1920s, the Illinois Central built the largest operating, and maintenance base in the world here.

McCracken County is the central county of the Paducah, KY-[[Illinois|IL]] [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
McCracken County was founded in 1825 from Hickman County; it was named for Captain Virgil McCracken of [[Woodford County, Kentucky]], who was killed in the [[Battle of Frenchtown]] in southeastern [[Michigan]] during the [[War of 1812]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=E. |first=Kleber, John |last2=Kentucky |first2=University Press of |last3=Policy |first3=Institute for Regional Analysis and Public |last4=Library |first4=Camden-Carroll |last5=University |first5=Morehead State |date=2000 |title=The Kentucky Encyclopedia |url=http://www.kyenc.org/entry/m/McCRA02.html |access-date=July 4, 2018 |website=www.kyenc.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ |title=The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1 |publisher=Kentucky State Historical Society |year=1903 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ/page/n36 36]}}</ref>

The [[Battle of Paducah]] occurred during the American Civil War in McCracken County on March 25, 1864. The skirmish between the Union and Confederate troops ended in a Confederate victory. A total of 140 men were killed during the battle.

In addition to having an economy influenced by river traffic, the county's economy was strengthened by construction of the railroad to Paducah. The railroads based operations and maintenance in Paducah, and the men in many families had careers as firemen, repairment, and related jobs.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|268|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|249|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|19|sqmi}} (7.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The county's northern border with [[Illinois]] is formed by the [[Ohio River]], and its northeastern border by the [[Tennessee River]].

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Massac County, Illinois]] (north)
* [[Livingston County, Kentucky|Livingston County]] (northeast)
* [[Marshall County, Kentucky|Marshall County]] (east)
* [[Graves County, Kentucky|Graves County]] (south)
* [[Carlisle County, Kentucky|Carlisle County]] (southwest)
* [[Ballard County, Kentucky|Ballard County]] (west)

===National protected area===
* [[Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1830 = 1297
| 1840 = 4745
| 1850 = 6067
| 1860 = 10360
| 1870 = 13988
| 1880 = 16262
| 1890 = 21051
| 1900 = 28733
| 1910 = 35064
| 1920 = 37246
| 1930 = 46271
| 1940 = 48534
| 1950 = 49137
| 1960 = 57306
| 1970 = 58281
| 1980 = 61310
| 1990 = 62879
| 2000 = 65514
| 2010 = 65565
| 2020 = 67875
| estyear = 2024
| estimate = 67550
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|access-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> of 2000, there were 65,514 people, 27,736 households, and 18,444 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|261|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 30,361 housing units at an average density of {{convert|121|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 86.76% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 10.88% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Black]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|African American]], 0.22% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Native American]], 0.51% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.05% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Pacific Islander]], 0.40% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], and 1.18% from two or more races. [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 27,736 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.50% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,865, and the median income for a family was $42,513. Males had a median income of $36,417 versus $22,704 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,533. About 11.40% of families and 15.10% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.90% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
Public elementary and secondary education in the county is provided by two [[school district]]s:
* [[McCracken County Public Schools]], which serves the entire county except for the bulk of the city of Paducah, served by:
* [[Paducah Public Schools]]

Several private schools also provide K-12 education. These institutions include the St. Mary System and Community Christian Academy.

Higher education is provided by [[West Kentucky Community and Technical College]] in Paducah, part of the [[Kentucky Community and Technical College System]]. Like all other schools in this system, WKCTC offers [[associate degree]]s. The state's largest public university, the [[University of Kentucky]], operates a branch campus of its College of Engineering at WKCTC. [[Murray State University]] offers [[bachelor's degree]] programs and [[master's degrees]]. A new 43,000 square foot facility located on a 23-acre campus adjacent to WKCTC was opened in 2014.

==Communities==

===City===
* [[Paducah, Kentucky|Paducah]] (county seat)

===Census-designated places===
* [[Farley, Kentucky|Farley]] (formerly Woodlawn-Oakdale)
* [[Hendron, Kentucky|Hendron]]
* [[Massac, Kentucky|Massac]]
* [[Reidland, Kentucky|Reidland]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* Camelia
* Cecil
* Cimota City
* Freemont
* [[Future City, Kentucky|Future City]]
* [[Grahamville, Kentucky|Grahamville]]
* [[Hardmoney, Kentucky|Hardmoney]]
* Heath
* Hovekamp
* Krebs
* [[Lone Oak, Kentucky|Lone Oak]]
* Maxon
* [[Melber, Kentucky|Melber]] (mostly in [[Graves County, Kentucky|Graves County]])
* Ragland
* Rossington
* Rudolph
* [[Saint Johns, Kentucky|Saint Johns]]
* Sheehan Bridge
* [[West Paducah, Kentucky|West Paducah]]
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=McCracken County, Kentucky|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=July 4, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|21,349|10,191|407|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|21,820|11,195|534|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|20,774|9,134|1,399|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|19,979|10,062|510|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|19,043|11,285|426|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|18,218|11,361|218|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|14,745|11,412|532|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|10,221|12,670|2,396|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|10,657|13,341|3,155|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|12,160|12,208|275|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|12,903|12,535|327|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|10,281|13,365|679|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|6,997|14,956|734|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|11,260|7,567|691|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|5,887|9,741|5,916|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|4,543|16,178|87|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|9,689|12,539|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|7,076|14,103|79|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|6,051|12,302|22|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|3,251|11,183|640|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|4,190|10,846|84|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|3,554|11,562|52|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,160|10,557|113|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,140|9,188|171|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,368|5,535|40|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|4,979|6,028|1,274|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|6,085|8,496|299|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|3,058|4,356|239|Kentucky}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|1,308|2,948|1,526|Kentucky}}

===Elected officials===
{| class=wikitable
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Elected officials as of January 3, 2025'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/smembers_county.html |title=Senate Members - County |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=apps.legislature.ky.gov |publisher=[[Kentucky General Assembly]] |access-date=January 3, 2025 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/hmembers_county.html |title=House Members - County |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=apps.legislature.ky.gov |publisher=[[Kentucky General Assembly]] |access-date=January 3, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>
|- 
! scope=row|[[U.S. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[James Comer]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|KY|1|B}}
|- 
! scope=row|[[Kentucky Senate|Ky. Senate]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Danny Carroll (Kentucky politician)|Danny Carroll]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 2nd Senate district|2]]
|- 
!rowspan=18 |[[Kentucky House of Representatives|Ky. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Steven Rudy]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|1
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kim Holloway]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|2
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Randy Bridges]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|3
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Chris Freeland]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|6
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in McCracken County, Kentucky]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050923192344/http://www.co.mccracken.ky.us/county/index.php McCracken County government's website]
* [http://mccrackencountysheriff.com/ McCracken County Sheriff]

{{McCracken County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky}}

{{Coord|37.06|-88.72|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:McCracken County, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties on the Ohio River]]
[[Category:Paducah micropolitan area]]
[[Category:1825 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1825]]