Franklin County, Kentucky

Last updated

Franklin County
Franklin county ky courthouse.jpg
Franklin County courthouse in Frankfort
Flag of Franklin County, Kentucky.png
Map of Kentucky highlighting Franklin County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky in United States.svg
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°14′N84°53′W / 38.24°N 84.88°W / 38.24; -84.88
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Kentucky.svg  Kentucky
FoundedMay 10, 1795 [1]
Named for Benjamin Franklin
Seat Frankfort
Largest cityFrankfort
Area
  Total212 sq mi (550 km2)
  Land208 sq mi (540 km2)
  Water4.3 sq mi (11 km2)  2.0%
Population
 (2020)
  Total51,541
  Estimate 
(2023)
51,644 Increase2.svg
  Density240/sq mi (94/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website franklincounty.ky.gov

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.

Contents

History

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]

Geography

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]

Transit

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Government and politics

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.

United States presidential election results for Franklin County, Kentucky [8]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 12,90049.48%12,65248.53%5201.99%
2016 11,81949.52%10,71744.91%1,3295.57%
2012 11,34548.61%11,53549.43%4571.96%
2008 11,91149.47%11,76748.87%4011.67%
2004 12,28150.89%11,62048.15%2320.96%
2000 10,20947.15%10,85350.12%5922.73%
1996 7,13235.02%11,25155.24%1,9849.74%
1992 7,59136.09%9,89647.05%3,54416.85%
1988 9,80550.88%9,27148.11%1951.01%
1984 11,05758.12%7,79040.95%1770.93%
1980 6,45534.84%11,19360.40%8824.76%
1976 5,53633.67%10,47563.71%4302.62%
1972 7,78156.88%5,60140.95%2972.17%
1968 4,05730.82%6,39648.58%2,71220.60%
1964 2,32018.57%10,13081.08%440.35%
1960 4,74240.21%7,05259.79%00.00%
1956 4,04738.35%6,41260.76%940.89%
1952 3,09729.75%7,30970.20%50.05%
1948 1,96221.79%6,67974.19%3624.02%
1944 2,05024.27%6,35675.24%420.50%
1940 1,92721.66%6,95678.18%140.16%
1936 2,01024.34%6,22275.35%260.31%
1932 2,03424.20%6,33175.33%390.46%
1928 3,48547.45%3,85352.46%70.10%
1924 2,82637.15%4,67861.50%1021.34%
1920 2,71031.48%5,87868.28%210.24%
1916 1,42629.70%3,34569.67%300.62%
1912 78317.85%2,98067.93%62414.22%

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1800 5,078
1810 8,01357.8%
1820 11,02437.6%
1830 9,254−16.1%
1840 9,4201.8%
1850 12,46232.3%
1860 12,6941.9%
1870 15,30020.5%
1880 18,69922.2%
1890 21,26713.7%
1900 20,852−2.0%
1910 21,1351.4%
1920 19,357−8.4%
1930 21,0648.8%
1940 23,30810.7%
1950 25,93311.3%
1960 29,42113.5%
1970 34,48117.2%
1980 41,83021.3%
1990 43,7814.7%
2000 47,6878.9%
2010 49,2853.4%
2020 51,5414.6%
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.

Education

The county is served by two public school districts: Franklin County Public Schools and Frankfort Independent Schools. [15]

Franklin County Public Schools

This district takes in almost all of the county, including the majority of the city of Frankfort. It operates the following schools:

Frankfort Independent 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:

Private schools

University

Parks

Communities

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frankfort, Kentucky</span> Capital city of Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin County, Alabama</span> County in Alabama, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelby County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodford County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,027. Its county seat is Springfield. The county is named for George Washington. Washington County was the first county formed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when it reached statehood, and the sixteenth county formed. The center of population of Kentucky is located in Washington County, in the city of Willisburg. 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. Jacob Beam, founder of Jim Beam whiskey, sold his first barrel of whiskey in Washington County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercer County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Mercer County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,772. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county was formed from Lincoln County, Virginia in 1785 and is named for Revolutionary War General Hugh Mercer, who was killed at the Battle of Princeton in 1777. It was formerly a prohibition or dry county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madison County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurel County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hopkins County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Hopkins County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 45,423. Its county seat is Madisonville. Hopkins County was created December 9, 1806 from Henderson County. It was named for General Samuel Hopkins, an officer in both the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and later a Kentucky legislator and U.S. Congressman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boyle County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Boyle County is a county located in the central part of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,614. Its county seat is Danville. The county was formed in 1842 and named for John Boyle (1774–1835), a U.S. Representative, chief justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and later federal judge for the District of Kentucky, and is part of the Danville, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anderson County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

Anderson County, located in the Outer Bluegrass physiographic region, is Kentucky's 48th most populated and ninth fastest-growing county.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakeside Park, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Lakeside Park is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 2,841. It is a suburb in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenkins, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

Jenkins is a home rule-class city in Letcher County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,203 as of the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Georgetown, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midway, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walton, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knox County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

References

  1. "Kentucky: County – Franklin – Welcome". Franklincounty.ky.gov. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp.  https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ/page/n35 35].
  5. Hogan, Roseann Reinemuth (1992). Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research. Ancestry Publishing. p. 232. ISBN   9780916489496 . Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  6. Collins, Lewis (1882). Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky: History of Kentucky, Volume 2. Collins & Company. p. 26.
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  8. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  10. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Franklin County, KY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022. - Text list - For more detailed boundaries of the independent school districts see: "Appendix B: Maps Of Independent School Districts In Operation In FY 2014-FY 2015 Using 2005 Tax District Boundaries – Frankfort ISD" (PDF). Research Report No. 415 – Kentucky's Independent School Districts: A Primer. Frankfort, KY: Office of Education Accountability, Legislative Research Commission. September 15, 2015. p. 110 (PDF p. 124/174). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2020.

38°14′N84°53′W / 38.24°N 84.88°W / 38.24; -84.88