Washington County, Kentucky
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Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,027.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is Springfield.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county is named for George Washington.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood, and the sixteenth county formed.<ref name="hometown">Template:Cite web</ref> The center of population of Kentucky is located in Washington County, in the city of Willisburg.<ref name="popcen">Template:Cite web</ref> The county is dry, meaning that the sale of alcohol is prohibited, but it contains the "wet" city of Springfield, where retail alcohol sales are allowed. This classifies the jurisdiction as a moist county. Three wineries operate in the county and are licensed separately to sell to the public.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jacob Beam, founder of Jim Beam whiskey, sold his first barrel of whiskey in Washington County.<ref>"Review: Jim Beam", Alternative Whisky Academy</ref>
History
[edit]Washington County was established in 1792 from land taken from Nelson County.<ref>Kentucky County Formation Chart, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, accessed June 2018.</ref> It was the first county created by the Commonwealth of Kentucky after its separation from Virginia.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
The Washington County Courthouse, completed in 1816, is the oldest courthouse still in use in Kentucky.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A significant county court record is the marriage bond of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, parents of President Abraham Lincoln.<ref name="springfield">Template:Cite web</ref> The bond is dated June 10, 1806; it was written the day before the marriage in the small community of Beechland, on the Little Beech River. The marriage return was signed by Jesse Head, the Methodist preacher who performed the ceremony, and dates the marriage to June 12, 1806.
Geography
[edit]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (1.3%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>
Adjacent counties
[edit]- Anderson County - northeast
- Mercer County - east
- Boyle County - east
- Marion County - south
- Nelson County - west
Demographics
[edit]As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 10,916 people, 4,121 households, and 3,020 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,542 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 90.62% White, 7.51% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.61% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,121 households, out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.
The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,136, and the median income for a family was $39,240. Males had a median income of $27,624 versus $21,593 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,722. About 10.30% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 19.60% of those age 65 or over.
Education
[edit]The county is served by Washington County Schools, a district that contains five schools:<ref name="school">Template:Cite web</ref>
- North Washington Elementary School in Willisburg for grades PK, K-8 with 468 students
- Washington County Elementary School in Springfield for grades PK, K-5 with 387 students
- Care Academy, Inc. in Willisburg for grades 6–12 with 65 students
- Washington County Middle School in Springfield for grades 6–8 with 206 students
- Washington County High School in Springfield for grades 9–12 with 626 students
St. Catharine College (now closed) is located near Springfield.
Communities
[edit]Cities
[edit]- Mackville
- Springfield (county seat)
- Willisburg
Unincorporated communities
[edit]- Bear Wallow
- Brush Grove
- Fredericktown
- Manton
- Maud
- Mooresville
- Pleasant Grove
- Saint Catharine
- ThompsonvilleTemplate:Div col end
Politics
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Elected officials
[edit]| Elected officials as of January 3, 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | ||
| U.S. House | Template:Party shading/Republican|James Comer (R) | Template:Party shading/Republican|Template:Ushr |
|---|---|---|
| Ky. Senate | Template:Party shading/Republican|Jimmy Higdon (R) | Template:Party shading/Republican|14 |
| Ky. House | Template:Party shading/Republican|Kim King (R) | Template:Party shading/Republican|55 |