Laurel County, Kentucky

Laurel County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,613.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is London.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> After a special election in January 2016 alcohol sales are permitted only in the city limits of London. The ordinance went into effect on March 27, 2016, 60 days after results of the election. Laurel County is included in the London, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Laurel County, the 80th county to be organized in Kentucky, was established by an act of the general assembly, December 21, 1825, from parts of Rockcastle, Clay, Knox and Whitley Counties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Laurel County was named from the Laurel River, noted for dense laurel thickets along its banks.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Laurel County was the location of the Battle of Wildcat Mountain, a pivotal yet little known battle during the American Civil War that kept Confederate armies from advancing on Big Hill, a major stronghold during the war.

After a fire damaged the courthouse in 1958, a new structure was completed in 1961.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The first Kentucky Fried Chicken was started in southern Laurel County by Colonel Harland Sanders just north of Corbin. Nowadays, visitors are welcomed to the original cafe and museum where they can eat at, tour, and learn about the start of the worldwide franchise. Due to the history of chicken in the county, The World Chicken Festival is celebrated every year in London, the county seat, drawing crowds of up to 250,000 people over the four-day festival.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (2.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> Part of Laurel River Lake is in Laurel County.

Adjacent counties

• Jackson County (northeast)
• Clay County (east)
• Knox County (southeast)
• Whitley County (south)
• McCreary County (southwest)
• Pulaski County (west)
• Rockcastle County (northwest)

National protected area

• Daniel Boone National Forest (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2020, there were 62,613 people, 22,573 (2015–2019) households, and families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 22,317 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 95.66% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

As of the census of 2010, Laurel County was 97.00% White or European American, 0.3% Native American and 0.7% Black or African American.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

There were 20,353 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 25.40% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,015, and the median income for a family was $31,318. Males had a median income of $27,965 versus $19,757 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,165. About 17.80% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.80% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Elected officials

Elected officials as of January 3, 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
U.S. House	Template:Party shading/Republican|Hal Rogers (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|Template:Ushr
Ky. Senate	Template:Party shading/Republican|Brandon J. Storm (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|21
Ky. House	Template:Party shading/Republican|Josh Bray (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|71
	Template:Party shading/Republican|Nick Wilson (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|82
	Template:Party shading/Republican|Shane Baker (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|85
	Template:Party shading/Republican|Tom Smith (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|86
	Template:Party shading/Republican|Timmy Truett (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|89
	Template:Party shading/Republican|Derek Lewis (R)	Template:Party shading/Republican|90

Education

Two public school districts serve K–12 students in the county:<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list - For more detailed boundaries of the independent school districts see: Template:Cite web</ref>

• Laurel County School District – Operates one preschool, 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.
• East Bernstadt Independent School District – Operates a single K–8 school. High school students in the district may attend high school in either of the Laurel County district's.

Communities

Cities

• Corbin (Mostly in Whitley County; part also in Knox County)
• London

Census-designated places

• East Bernstadt
• North Corbin

Other unincorporated communities

• Atlanta
• Bernstadt
• Boreing
• Bush
• Cruise
• Hopewell
• Keavy
• Lake
• Lily
• Pittsburg
• Sublimity City
• Symbol

Notable residents

• Nationally bestselling author Silas House was born and raised in Laurel County.
• Former University of Kentucky basketball star Jeff Sheppard who briefly played in the NBA
• NBA Player Reed Sheppard, son of Jeff and Stacey Sheppard played basketball for University of Kentucky basketball. He was the third overall pick in the NBA Draft 2024 by the Houston Rockets.
• 2000 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Darrell Scott, who has written hit songs for the Dixie Chicks, Travis Tritt, Brad Paisley, Patty Loveless, and many others, was born in London.
• Chera-Lyn Cook, the first from Southeast Kentucky to win the title of Miss Kentucky. Cook was talent winner and 4th runner-up to Miss America 1999.
• Flem D. Sampson, the 42nd governor of the State of Kentucky is from Laurel County.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Laurel County, Kentucky

External links

• Template:Official website
• Laurel County History Museum & Genealogy Center
• London-Laurel County Tourist Commission
• World Chicken Festival
• Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park