Editing Spencer County, Kentucky

{{short description|County in Kentucky, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Spencer County
 | state                = Kentucky
 | ex image             = Spencer County Courthouse, Taylorsville.jpg
 | ex image size        = 300px
 | ex image cap         = Spencer County Courthouse in [[Taylorsville, Kentucky|Taylorsville]].
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1824
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl              = Taylorsville
 | largest city wl      = Taylorsville
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 192
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 187
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 5.0
 | area percentage      = 2.6
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 19490
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 20823 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = www.spencercountyky.gov
 | named for            = [[Spier Spencer]]
 | district             = 2nd
 | district2            = 4th
}}

'''Spencer County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Kentucky]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the total population was 19,490.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/spencercountykentucky/PST045221 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Taylorsville, Kentucky|Taylorsville]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was founded in 1824<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/s/SPENC02.html |access-date=July 6, 2018 |website=www.kyenc.org}}</ref> and named for [[Spier Spencer]].

Spencer County is part of the [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville/Jefferson County]], KY—[[Indiana|IN]] [[Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

[[Taylorsville Lake]], located primarily within Spencer County, serves as a major economic resource for the area. Spencer was a [[dry county]] until 2009 when the county's residents voted to overturn the ban on alcohol sales. From 2000 to 2005, Spencer County ranked 19th out of all U.S. counties in percent growth, with a 33% increase.

==History==
Spencer County was formed in January 1824, by the 32nd [[Kentucky General Assembly]]. The land that now makes up Spencer County was taken from [[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]], [[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby County]], and [[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson County]]. Spencer County became Kentucky's 77th county. The county was named for Kentucky's [[Spier Spencer|Captain Spier Spencer]], who fought and died in the [[Battle of Tippecanoe]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=luoxAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA37 |title=The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1 |publisher=Kentucky State Historical Society |year=1903 |pages=37}}</ref>

Later that year, in December 1824, [[Taylorsville, Kentucky|Taylorsville]] was made the county seat. In 1829, the city was incorporated.<ref name="history">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyspence/history.htm|title=Spencer County History}}</ref>

During the [[American Civil War]], the courthouse at Taylorsville was burned by [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] guerrillas in January 1865, but the county's records were saved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kentucky.gov/kyhs/hmdb/MarkerSearch.aspx?mode=County&county=108|title=KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database - Search for Markers}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|192|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|187|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.0|sqmi}} (2.6%) 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 20, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Shelby County, Kentucky|Shelby County]]  (north)
*[[Anderson County, Kentucky|Anderson County]]  (east)
*[[Nelson County, Kentucky|Nelson County]]  (south)
*[[Bullitt County, Kentucky|Bullitt County]]  (west)
*[[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]]  (northwest)

===Major highways===
*[[Kentucky Route 44]]
*[[Kentucky Route 55]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1830 = 6812
| 1840 = 6581
| 1850 = 6842
| 1860 = 6188
| 1870 = 5956
| 1880 = 7040
| 1890 = 6760
| 1900 = 7406
| 1910 = 7567
| 1920 = 7785
| 1930 = 6606
| 1940 = 6757
| 1950 = 6157
| 1960 = 5680
| 1970 = 5488
| 1980 = 5929
| 1990 = 6801
| 2000 = 11766
| 2010 = 17061
| 2020 = 19490
| estyear = 2024
| estimate = 20823
| 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 20, 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 20, 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 20, 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://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=August 20, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 11,766 people, 4,251 households, and 3,358 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|63|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 4,555 housing units at an average density of {{convert|24|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.50% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.13% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.27% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.12% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 4,251 households, out of which 38.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.90% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.00% were non-families. 17.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 33.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,042, and the median income for a family was $52,038. Males had a median income of $36,638 versus $24,196 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $19,848. About 7.70% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.90% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
The Spencer County Public Schools comprises six schools: Spencer County High School, Spencer County Middle School, Spencer County Elementary School, Taylorsville Elementary School, Hillview Academy, and Spencer County Preschool.<ref name="Schools">{{Cite web |title=Our Schools |url=http://www.spencer.kyschools.us/Schools |access-date=August 9, 2015 |website=Spencer County Public Schools}}</ref>

==Communities==
===City===
*[[Taylorsville, Kentucky|Taylorsville]] (county seat)<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Taylorsville |url=http://www.cityoftaylorsville.com/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |language=en}}</ref>

===Census-designated place===
*[[Elk Creek, Kentucky|Elk Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elk Creek, KY Profile: Facts & Data |url=https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/ky/spencer/elk-creek.cfm |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=kentucky.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>

===Other unincorporated places===
*[[Little Mount, Kentucky|Little Mount]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Little Mount, Kentucky |url=https://www.kyatlas.com/ky-little-mount.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.kyatlas.com}}</ref>
*[[Mount Eden, Kentucky|Mount Eden]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mount Eden, Kentucky |url=https://www.kyatlas.com/ky-mount-eden.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.kyatlas.com}}</ref>
*[[Rivals, Kentucky|Rivals]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rivals Populated Place Profile / Spencer County, Kentucky Data |url=https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/ky/spencer/rivals.cfm |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=kentucky.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
*[[Waterford, Kentucky|Waterford]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Wakefield Populated Place Profile / Spencer County, Kentucky Data |url=https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/ky/spencer/wakefield.cfm |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=kentucky.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
*[[Jacob_Yoder|Yoder]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/ky/spencer/yoder.cfm|title=Yoder Populated Place Profile / Spencer County, Kentucky Data|website=kentucky.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
*[[Wakefield, Kentucky|Wakefield]]<ref name="auto"/>
*[[Wilsonville, Kentucky|Wilsonville]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/ky/spencer/wilsonville.cfm|title=Wilsonville Populated Place Profile / Spencer County, Kentucky Data|website=kentucky.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
*[[Crenshaw, Kentucky|Crenshaw]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/ky/spencer/crenshaw.cfm|title=Crenshaw Populated Place Profile / Spencer County, Kentucky Data|website=kentucky.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
*[[Normandy, Kentucky|Normandy]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kentucky.hometownlocator.com/ky/spencer/normandy.cfm|title=Normandy Populated Place Profile / Spencer County, Kentucky Data|website=kentucky.hometownlocator.com}}</ref>
*[[Edgewater Resort]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edgewatertaylorsvillelake.com/|title=Edgewater Resort in Kentucky &#124; Cottages at Taylorsville Lake|website=www.edgewatertaylorsvillelake.com}}</ref>
*[[Taylorsville Lake]]<ref>https://www.lrd.usace.army.mil/Submit-ArticleCS/Recreation/Article/3641872/taylorsville-lake/</ref>
*[[Taylorsville Lake State Park]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parks.ky.gov/explore/taylorsville-lake-state-park-7827|title=Explore &#124; Taylorsville Lake State Park|website=Kentucky State Parks}}</ref>

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Spencer 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 6, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,927|2,415|138|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,737|2,530|166|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,196|1,921|398|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,726|2,549|156|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,378|2,519|152|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|4,816|1,970|36|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,150|1,554|68|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,614|1,404|350|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,305|1,383|479|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,368|1,121|16|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,456|910|6|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|935|1,216|49|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|742|1,209|32|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,120|481|28|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|733|564|453|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|525|1,422|7|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,134|1,048|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|896|1,214|7|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|723|1,283|1|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|493|1,298|42|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|646|1,443|7|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|567|1,728|5|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|638|1,647|9|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|736|1,773|6|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,565|947|4|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|961|1,320|10|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|1,102|2,135|16|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|591|1,271|7|Kentucky}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|271|1,052|262|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}}|[[Thomas Massie]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|KY|4|B}}
|- 
! scope=row|[[Kentucky Senate|Ky. Senate]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Jimmy Higdon]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 14th Senate district|14]]
|- 
! scope=row|[[Kentucky House of Representatives|Ky. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[James Tipton]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|53
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|United States}}
*[[Louisville/Jefferson County–Elizabethtown–Bardstown, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Spencer County, Kentucky]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.spencercountyky.gov/ Spencer County official website]
*[http://www.spencer.kyschools.us// Spencer County Public Schools]

{{Spencer County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|38.03|-85.32|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Spencer County, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties]]
[[Category:Louisville metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1824 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1824]]