Franklin County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 38°14′N84°53′W / 38.24°N 84.88°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Kentucky |
Founded | May 10, 1795 [1] |
Named for | Benjamin Franklin |
Seat | Frankfort |
Largest city | Frankfort |
Area | |
• Total | 212 sq mi (550 km2) |
• Land | 208 sq mi (540 km2) |
• Water | 4.3 sq mi (11 km2) 2.0% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 51,541 |
• Estimate (2023) | 51,644 |
• Density | 240/sq mi (94/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | franklincounty |
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,541, making it the 2nd least populous capital county in the United States after Hughes County, South Dakota. [2] Its county seat is Frankfort, [3] the state capital. The county was formed in 1795 from parts of Woodford, Mercer and Shelby counties, and was named after the American inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin. [4] Franklin County is part of the Frankfort, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area. It shares a name with Franklin County in Ohio, where Columbus is located. This makes it one of two pairs of capital cities in counties of the same name, along with Marion Counties in Oregon and Indiana.
The three original counties of Kentucky (Jefferson, Fayette and Lincoln counties) intersected in what is today Franklin County. Franklin County was established in 1795 from land given by Mercer, Shelby, and Woodford counties. [5] Franklin was the 18th Kentucky county in order of formation. [6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 212 square miles (550 km2), of which 208 square miles (540 km2) is land and 4.3 square miles (11 km2) (2.0%) is water. [7]
In recent presidential elections the county has supported both Democrats and Republicans. In 2000 Democrat Al Gore won 50% of the vote to Republican George W. Bush's 47%. In 2004, Bush won 50% of the vote to Democrat John Kerry's 48%. In 2008 Republican John McCain defeated Democrat Barack Obama 49.47% to 48.87%, a difference of only 144 votes, only for Obama to narrowly edge out Mitt Romney in 2012. However, Donald Trump won the county in 2016. He won it again in 2020, but only by a slim margin of 248 votes. In 2023, incumbent-Democratic governor Andy Beshear won it by a large margin over Republican attorney general Daniel Cameron, getting 68% of the vote.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 12,900 | 49.48% | 12,652 | 48.53% | 520 | 1.99% |
2016 | 11,819 | 49.52% | 10,717 | 44.91% | 1,329 | 5.57% |
2012 | 11,345 | 48.61% | 11,535 | 49.43% | 457 | 1.96% |
2008 | 11,911 | 49.47% | 11,767 | 48.87% | 401 | 1.67% |
2004 | 12,281 | 50.89% | 11,620 | 48.15% | 232 | 0.96% |
2000 | 10,209 | 47.15% | 10,853 | 50.12% | 592 | 2.73% |
1996 | 7,132 | 35.02% | 11,251 | 55.24% | 1,984 | 9.74% |
1992 | 7,591 | 36.09% | 9,896 | 47.05% | 3,544 | 16.85% |
1988 | 9,805 | 50.88% | 9,271 | 48.11% | 195 | 1.01% |
1984 | 11,057 | 58.12% | 7,790 | 40.95% | 177 | 0.93% |
1980 | 6,455 | 34.84% | 11,193 | 60.40% | 882 | 4.76% |
1976 | 5,536 | 33.67% | 10,475 | 63.71% | 430 | 2.62% |
1972 | 7,781 | 56.88% | 5,601 | 40.95% | 297 | 2.17% |
1968 | 4,057 | 30.82% | 6,396 | 48.58% | 2,712 | 20.60% |
1964 | 2,320 | 18.57% | 10,130 | 81.08% | 44 | 0.35% |
1960 | 4,742 | 40.21% | 7,052 | 59.79% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 4,047 | 38.35% | 6,412 | 60.76% | 94 | 0.89% |
1952 | 3,097 | 29.75% | 7,309 | 70.20% | 5 | 0.05% |
1948 | 1,962 | 21.79% | 6,679 | 74.19% | 362 | 4.02% |
1944 | 2,050 | 24.27% | 6,356 | 75.24% | 42 | 0.50% |
1940 | 1,927 | 21.66% | 6,956 | 78.18% | 14 | 0.16% |
1936 | 2,010 | 24.34% | 6,222 | 75.35% | 26 | 0.31% |
1932 | 2,034 | 24.20% | 6,331 | 75.33% | 39 | 0.46% |
1928 | 3,485 | 47.45% | 3,853 | 52.46% | 7 | 0.10% |
1924 | 2,826 | 37.15% | 4,678 | 61.50% | 102 | 1.34% |
1920 | 2,710 | 31.48% | 5,878 | 68.28% | 21 | 0.24% |
1916 | 1,426 | 29.70% | 3,345 | 69.67% | 30 | 0.62% |
1912 | 783 | 17.85% | 2,980 | 67.93% | 624 | 14.22% |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1800 | 5,078 | — | |
1810 | 8,013 | 57.8% | |
1820 | 11,024 | 37.6% | |
1830 | 9,254 | −16.1% | |
1840 | 9,420 | 1.8% | |
1850 | 12,462 | 32.3% | |
1860 | 12,694 | 1.9% | |
1870 | 15,300 | 20.5% | |
1880 | 18,699 | 22.2% | |
1890 | 21,267 | 13.7% | |
1900 | 20,852 | −2.0% | |
1910 | 21,135 | 1.4% | |
1920 | 19,357 | −8.4% | |
1930 | 21,064 | 8.8% | |
1940 | 23,308 | 10.7% | |
1950 | 25,933 | 11.3% | |
1960 | 29,421 | 13.5% | |
1970 | 34,481 | 17.2% | |
1980 | 41,830 | 21.3% | |
1990 | 43,781 | 4.7% | |
2000 | 47,687 | 8.9% | |
2010 | 49,285 | 3.4% | |
2020 | 51,541 | 4.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 51,644 | [9] | 0.2% |
U.S. Decennial Census [10] 1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12] 1990-2000 [13] 2010-2020 [2] |
As of the census [14] of 2000, there were 47,687 people, 19,907 households, and 12,840 families residing in the county. The population density was 227 per square mile (88/km2). There were 21,409 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile (39/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.98% White, 9.36% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 19,907 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.70% were married couples living together, 12.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.50% were non-families. 30.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.86.
22.60% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,011, and the median income for a family was $51,052. Males had a median income of $32,826 versus $26,201 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,229. About 6.90% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.80% of those under age 18 and 12.20% of those age 65 or over.
The county is served by two public school districts: Franklin County Public Schools and Frankfort Independent Schools. [15]
This district takes in almost all of the county, including the majority of the city of Frankfort. It operates the following schools:
This district serves an area roughly covering the Frankfort neighborhoods known as "downtown", South Frankfort (the vicinity of the state capitol building), and Bellepoint. It operates two schools:
Frankfort is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kentucky and the seat of Franklin County. It is a home rule-class city. The population was 28,602 at the 2020 United States census. Located along the Kentucky River, Frankfort is the principal city of the Frankfort, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Franklin and Anderson counties. It is the 4th least populous state capital in the United States, and the 13th most populous city in Kentucky.
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,113. Its county seat is Russellville. Its name is in honor of Benjamin Franklin, famous statesman, scientist, and printer. It is a dry county, although the city of Russellville is wet.
Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 48,065. Its county seat is Shelbyville. The county was established in 1792 and named for Isaac Shelby, the first Governor of Kentucky. Shelby County is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Shelby County's motto is "Good Land, Good Living, Good People".
Woodford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,871. Its county seat is Versailles. The area was home to Pisgah Academy. Woodford County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located in the center of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky.
Union County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,668. Its county seat is Morganfield. The county was created effective January 15, 1811.
Pike County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 58,669. Its county seat is Pikeville. The county was founded in 1821. With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a moist county–– a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited, but containing a "wet" city. There are three cities in the county, Pikeville, Elkhorn City, and Coal Run Village, where package alcohol sales are legal.
Nelson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 48,065. Its county seat is Bardstown. Nelson County comprises the Bardstown, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Louisville/Jefferson County-Elizabethtown-Madison, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area.
Madison County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. At the 2020 census, its population was 92,701. Its county seat is Richmond. The county is named for Virginia statesman James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States.
Lewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,080. Its county seat is Vanceburg.
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. Its county seat is London. 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.
Jefferson County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 782,969. It is the most populous county in the commonwealth.
Henry County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky bordering the Kentucky River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,678. Its county seat is New Castle, but its largest city is Eminence. The county was founded in 1798 from portions of Shelby County. It was named for the statesman and governor of Virginia Patrick Henry. Henry County is included in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Since the 1990s, it has become an increasingly important exurb, especially as land prices have become higher in neighboring Oldham County. With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a wet county.
Bell County is a county located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,097. Its county seat is Pineville and its largest city is Middlesboro. The county was formed in 1867, during the Reconstruction era from parts of Knox and Harlan counties and augmented from Knox County in 1872. The county is named for Joshua Fry Bell, a US Representative. It was originally called "Josh Bell", but on January 31, 1873, the Kentucky legislature shortened the name to "Bell",
Erlanger is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. It had a 2020 census population of 19,611. Erlanger is part of the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Kenton Vale is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 105 at the 2020 census.
Georgetown is a home rule-class city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 37,086 at the 2020 census. It is the 6th-largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the seat of its county. It was originally called Lebanon when founded by Rev. Elijah Craig and was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. Historically, settlers were drawn to Georgetown for its Royal Spring.
Dixon is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Webster County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 933 at the 2020 census. Dixon is located at the junction of US 41A and KY 132. It was established with a courthouse and post office in 1860 when the county was formed.
Midway is a home rule-class city in Woodford County, Kentucky, in the United States. Its population was 1,741 at the time of the year 2020 U.S. census. It is part of the Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Walton is a home rule-class city in Boone and Kenton counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 5,460 at the 2020 census.
Knox County is a county located in Appalachia near the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,193. Its county seat is Barbourville. The county is named for General Henry Knox. It is one of the few coal-producing counties in Kentucky that has not suffered massive population loss. Knox County is included in the London, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.