Editing Monroe County, Kentucky

{{short description|County in Kentucky, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Monroe County
 | state                = Kentucky
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1820
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl              = Tompkinsville
 | largest city wl      = Tompkinsville
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 332
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 329
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.7
 | area percentage      = 0.8
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 11338  
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 11163 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone            = Central
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = www.monroecounty.ky.gov
 | named for            = [[James Monroe]]
 | ex image             = Monroe County Kentucky courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Monroe County courthouse in Tompkinsville
 | district             = 1st 
}}

'''Monroe County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the Eastern [[Pennyroyal Plateau]] region of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Kentucky]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Tompkinsville, Kentucky|Tompkinsville]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county is named for [[U.S. President|President]] [[James Monroe]]. It was a prohibition or [[dry county]] until November 7, 2023, when voters approved the sale of alcohol.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whaley |first=Will |date=November 8, 2023 |title=Monroe County voters approve to legalize alcohol sales |url=https://www.wbko.com/2023/11/08/monroe-county-voters-approve-legalize-alcohol-sales/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=www.wbko.com |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
Monroe County is the only county of the 3,144 in the United States named for a President where the county seat is named for his vice-president. The county was formed in 1820; and named for James Monroe the fifth President, author of the Monroe Doctrine.<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 county seat was named for [[Daniel Tompkins]]. They both served from 1817 to 1825.

Confederate Gen. [[John Hunt Morgan]]'s first Kentucky raid occurred here on July 9, 1862. Morgan's Raiders, coming from Tennessee, attacked Major Thomas J. Jordan's 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry at USA garrison. Raiders captured 30 Union soldiers and destroyed tents and stores. They took 20 wagons, 50 mules, 40 horses, sugar and coffee supplies. At Glasgow they burned supplies, then went north, raiding 16 other towns before returning to Tennessee.

President [[Abraham Lincoln]]'s half third cousin, Thomas Lincoln (1780–1844), lived in the Meshack Creek area of present-day Monroe County and served two terms as constable of Cumberland County in 1802 and 1804. In 1810 he left Kentucky and migrated to Ohio and Indiana. In 1799 he married Patsy Gee from Meshack Creek.

Home of the '''Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site'''. The {{convert|20|acre|m2|adj=on}} park features the oldest log meetinghouse in Kentucky, built in 1804 during a period of religious revival. Many Revolutionary War soldiers and pioneers, including [[Daniel Boone]]'s sister, Hannah, are buried there. The structure has twelve corners in the shape of a cross and three doors, symbolic of the Holy Trinity. The Old Mulkey Church, originally called the Mill Creek Baptist Church, was established by a small band of pioneer Baptists from North and South Carolina and led by Philip Mulkey. The site became part of the park system in 1931.

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|332|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|329|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.7|sqmi}} (0.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 18, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|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}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Barren County, Kentucky|Barren County]]  (northwest)
* [[Metcalfe County, Kentucky|Metcalfe County]]  (northeast)
* [[Cumberland County, Kentucky|Cumberland County]]  (east)
* [[Clay County, Tennessee]]  (southeast)
* [[Macon County, Tennessee]]  (southwest)
* [[Allen County, Kentucky|Allen County]]  (west)

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
| 1830 = 5340
| 1840 = 6526
| 1850 = 7756
| 1860 = 8551
| 1870 = 9231
| 1880 = 10741
| 1890 = 10989
| 1900 = 13053
| 1910 = 13663
| 1920 = 14214
| 1930 = 13077
| 1940 = 14070
| 1950 = 13770
| 1960 = 11799
| 1970 = 11642
| 1980 = 12353
| 1990 = 11401
| 2000 = 11756
| 2010 = 10963
| 2020 = 11338
| estimate = 11163
| 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>
| estyear = 2024
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2021<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21171.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607103203/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21171.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 11,756 people, 4,741 households, and 3,380 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|36|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 5,288 housing units at an average density of {{convert|16|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.57% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.76% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.93% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 4,741 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,356, and the median income for a family was $27,112. Males had a median income of $21,820 versus $17,783 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,365. About 20.00% of families and 23.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 30.30% of those age 65 or over. The county has long been a "persistent poverty" county as defined by the [[Appalachian Regional Commission]].

==Communities==

===Cities===
* [[Fountain Run, Kentucky|Fountain Run]]
* [[Gamaliel, Kentucky|Gamaliel]]
* [[Tompkinsville, Kentucky|Tompkinsville]] (county seat)

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Akersville, Kentucky|Akersville]]
* [[Alexander, Kentucky|Alexander]]
* [[Boyd, Monroe County, Kentucky|Boyd]]
* [[Bugtussle, Kentucky|Bugtussle]]
* [[Center Point, Kentucky|Center Point]]
* [[Coe, Kentucky|Coe]]
* [[Coon’s Foot, Kentucky|Coon’s Foot]]
* [[Cyclone, Kentucky|Cyclone]]
* [[Ebenezer, Monroe County, Kentucky|Ebenezer]]
* [[Emberton, Kentucky|Emberton]]
* [[Flippin, Kentucky|Flippin]]
* [[Gum Tree, Kentucky|Gum Tree]]
* [[Hestand, Kentucky|Hestand]]
* [[Jeffrey, Kentucky|Jeffrey]]
* [[Lamb, Kentucky|Lamb]]
* [[Meshack, Kentucky|Meshack]]
* [[Mount Hermon, Kentucky|Mount Hermon]]
* [[Mud Lick, Kentucky|Mud Lick]]
* [[Otia, Kentucky|Otia]]
* [[Persimmon, Kentucky|Persimmon]]
* [[Raydure, Kentucky|Raydure]]
* [[Rockbridge, Kentucky|Rockbridge]]
* [[Stringtown, Monroe County, Kentucky|Stringtown]]
* [[Sulphur Lick, Kentucky|Sulphur Lick]]
* [[Vernon, Kentucky|Vernon]]

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Monroe County, Kentucky|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,679|576|53|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,628|657|45|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,278|601|112|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,762|936|48|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,537|1,067|61|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,657|1,158|28|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,377|1,158|34|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,300|1,114|437|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,776|1,515|512|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,214|1,025|27|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,760|1,052|31|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,592|1,156|65|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,352|1,412|31|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,770|768|28|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|4,086|693|593|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|3,293|1,713|4|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,337|970|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,759|1,255|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,675|1,084|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,812|1,249|72|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,648|1,101|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|3,321|1,390|11|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|2,345|1,352|9|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|2,559|1,620|11|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,127|843|9|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,489|970|38|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,426|1,108|15|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,008|882|8|Kentucky}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Republican|1,072|806|686|Kentucky}}
Located on the overwhelmingly [[Southern Unionist|Unionist]] eastern Pennyroyal, which was too hilly to have large plantations with many slaves, Monroe County was split 50/50 to secession during [[American Civil War|the Civil War]].<ref>Copeland, James E.; ‘Where Were the Kentucky Unionists and Secessionists’; ''The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society'', volume 71, no. 4 (October 1973), pp. 344-363</ref> However, it identified with the GOP after the return of peace and has remained strongly Republican ever since. The last Democrat to carry Monroe County at a Presidential level was [[George B. McClellan]] in 1864, and since at least 1896 no Democrat has managed to reach 40 percent of the county's vote. Underlining how Republican the county is, [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] did no better than 38 percent in his four successful bids for president, and actually polled two points lower in 1936 (while winning 46 out of 48 states) than he did in 1932. [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s 1964 landslide is the last time a Democrat passed 30 percent. The Democrats have managed even 20 percent just five times since Johnson, the last being [[Barack Obama]] in 2008.

Since the 1970s, splits among the county's Republicans have led to the election of a few Democrats and independents for local offices. However, there are no elected Democrats above the county level.

The county has produced two members of Congress, [[Tim Lee Carter]] and [[James Comer (politician)|James Comer]].

===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}}|[[Max Wise]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 16th Senate district|16]]
|- 
! scope=row|[[Kentucky House of Representatives|Ky. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Amy Neighbors]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|21
|}

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

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.monroecounty.ky.gov MonroeCounty.KY.gov]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180204041750/http://monroecountyky.com/ Monroe County Online]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070210130918/http://www.kentuckyhighlands.com/kh/counties/monroe_county.asp The Kentucky Highlands Project]

{{Monroe County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{James Monroe}}
{{Coord|36.71|-85.72|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Monroe County, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties]]
[[Category:1820 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1820]]