Greensburg, Kentucky

Greensburg, Kentucky
City
Downtown Greensburg
Seal
Location of Greensburg in Green County, Kentucky.
Coordinates: 37°15′35″N85°29′52″W / 37.25972°N 85.49778°W / 37.25972; -85.49778
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
County	Green
Established	1794
Incorporated	1795
Named for	its county
Government
•  Mayor	John Shuffett
Area [1]
• Total	2.04 sq mi (5.29 km2)
• Land	2.03 sq mi (5.27 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	600 ft (183 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,179
• Estimate  (2022) [2]	2,208
• Density	1,071.82/sq mi (413.73/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	42743
Area code(s)	270 & 364
FIPS code	21-32968
GNIS feature ID	0493339
Website	www.greensburgonline.com

Greensburg is a home rule-class city ^[3] in and the county seat of Green County, Kentucky, United States. ^[4] The population was 2,163 at the 2010 census, ^[5] down from 2,396 at the 2000 census.

The Downtown Greensburg Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes the oldest courthouse west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Geography

Greensburg is located east of the center of Green County at 37°15′35″N85°29′52″W / 37.25972°N 85.49778°W / 37.25972; -85.49778 (37.259665, -85.497863), ^[6] on the north side of the Green River, a west-flowing tributary of the Ohio River. U.S. Route 68 passes through the city as Main Street; it leads northeast 11 miles (18 km) to Campbellsville and southwest 25 miles (40 km) to Edmonton. Kentucky Route 61 joins US 68 on Main Street through Greensburg; KY 61 leads northwest 40 miles (64 km) to Elizabethtown and southeast 19 miles (31 km) to Columbia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Greensburg has a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²), or 0.59%, is water. ^[5]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Greensburg has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[7]

The highest recorded temperature at Greensburg was 114 °F (46 °C) on July 28, 1930, the highest temperature ever recorded in Kentucky. ^[8]

Climate data for Greensburg, Kentucky, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–2016
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	82 (28)	81 (27)	89 (32)	97 (36)	99 (37)	107 (42)	114 (46)	110 (43)	108 (42)	98 (37)	84 (29)	78 (26)	114 (46)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	66.7 (19.3)	71.3 (21.8)	79.0 (26.1)	85.7 (29.8)	88.2 (31.2)	94.1 (34.5)	96.6 (35.9)	96.5 (35.8)	92.8 (33.8)	85.3 (29.6)	77.8 (25.4)	67.6 (19.8)	98.2 (36.8)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	44.7 (7.1)	49.4 (9.7)	58.6 (14.8)	69.5 (20.8)	77.8 (25.4)	85.4 (29.7)	88.4 (31.3)	88.2 (31.2)	82.4 (28.0)	71.3 (21.8)	58.6 (14.8)	58.3 (14.6)	69.4 (20.8)
Daily mean °F (°C)	35.1 (1.7)	38.6 (3.7)	46.5 (8.1)	56.3 (13.5)	65.7 (18.7)	74.0 (23.3)	77.6 (25.3)	76.4 (24.7)	69.6 (20.9)	57.8 (14.3)	46.4 (8.0)	38.6 (3.7)	56.9 (13.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	25.5 (−3.6)	27.8 (−2.3)	34.4 (1.3)	43.1 (6.2)	53.6 (12.0)	62.6 (17.0)	66.7 (19.3)	64.5 (18.1)	56.8 (13.8)	44.3 (6.8)	34.3 (1.3)	29.0 (−1.7)	45.2 (7.3)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	4.0 (−15.6)	9.3 (−12.6)	18.6 (−7.4)	26.7 (−2.9)	38.1 (3.4)	49.4 (9.7)	55.5 (13.1)	54.1 (12.3)	41.3 (5.2)	29.6 (−1.3)	20.8 (−6.2)	9.4 (−12.6)	−0.1 (−17.8)
Record low °F (°C)	−25 (−32)	−29 (−34)	−4 (−20)	13 (−11)	27 (−3)	37 (3)	39 (4)	42 (6)	25 (−4)	17 (−8)	−3 (−19)	−19 (−28)	−29 (−34)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	3.87 (98)	4.23 (107)	4.76 (121)	4.84 (123)	5.05 (128)	4.74 (120)	4.92 (125)	3.22 (82)	4.00 (102)	3.73 (95)	3.68 (93)	4.68 (119)	51.72 (1,313)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	9.7	9.0	10.7	10.7	10.1	10.7	9.6	7.1	7.3	7.7	8.6	10.6	111.8
Source 1: NOAA [9]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 1981–2010) [10]

History

The 1780 settlement was originally known as "Glover's Station", for local landowner John Glover, who received 193 acres (0.78 km²) in the area as a military grant after the American Revolution. ^[11]

Following the establishment of Green County (named for Revolutionary War Maj. General Nathanael Greene ^[11] ) from parts of Lincoln and Nelson counties in 1792, Greensburg was laid out and established two years later as its eponymous seat of government. ^[12] It was incorporated as a city a year after that. ^[11] The central Public Square was also laid out in 1795 and has been retained as designed since then, with the only changes being the paving of the square with concrete and the installation of concrete dividers in the four quadrants. ^[13]

The first post office arrived in 1807 and was variously known as "Greensburg" and "Greensburg Court House" during the early 19th century. ^[11]

The first courthouse in Greensburg was established in 1803. ^[14]

The first bank, Greensburg Independent Bank, was established in 1818. ^[14]

The first known school in Greensburg, called Greenburg Academy, was open from 1815 to 1818. ^[14]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1800	70		—
1810	132		88.6%
1830	669		—
1840	585		−12.6%
1860	536		—
1870	351		−34.5%
1880	620		76.6%
1890	552		−11.0%
1900	564		2.2%
1910	450		−20.2%
1920	488		8.4%
1930	770		57.8%
1940	1,176		52.7%
1950	1,032		−12.2%
1960	2,334		126.2%
1970	1,990		−14.7%
1980	2,377		19.4%
1990	1,990		−16.3%
2000	2,396		20.4%
2010	2,163		−9.7%
2020	2,179		0.7%
2022 (est.)	2,208	[15]	1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [16]

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there were 2,396 people, 1,061 households, and 648 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,255.4 inhabitants per square mile (484.7/km²). There were 1,190 housing units at an average density of 623.5 per square mile (240.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.99% White, 4.63% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.50% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.96% of the population.

There were 1,061 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 37.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 25.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 71.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,556, and the median income for a family was $29,818. Males had a median income of $26,065 versus $18,031 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,296. About 21.3% of families and 24.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.8% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Greensburg has a lending library, the Green County Public Library. ^[18]

The public school system, Green County Public Schools, consists of 4 different schools. As of 2021, the school system consists of 1,648 students. ^[19]

Events

Greensburg holds an annual festival called Cow Days ^[20]

Notable people

• John Richard Barret, U.S. congressman from Missouri
• Aylette Buckner, U.S. congressman from Kentucky
• George Washington Buckner, physician and diplomat; United States minister to Liberia from 1913 to 1915
• Richard Aylett Buckner, U.S. congressman from Kentucky and father of Aylette Buckner
• Mentor Graham, teacher best known for tutoring Abraham Lincoln
• Aaron Harding, U.S. congressman from Kentucky
• Rod Henderson, former Major League Baseball pitcher
• William Herndon, friend and biographer of Abraham Lincoln
• Edward H. Hobson, Union Army general during the Civil War
• Blake Judd, independent filmmaker
• John W. Lewis, U.S. congressman from Kentucky
• Dakota Meyer, U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient
• William Thomas Ward, Union general during the Civil War and U.S. congressman

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
2. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
3. "Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform" (PDF). Kentucky League of Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Greensburg city, Kentucky". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 13, 2016.^{[ dead link ‍]}
6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
7. Climate Summary for Greensburg, Kentucky
8. "State Climate Extremes Committee" . Retrieved April 7, 2023.
9. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Greensburg, KY". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
10. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Louisville". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
11. Rennick, Robert M. (1987). Kentucky Place Names. University Press of Kentucky. p. 125. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
12. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Greensburg, Kentucky". Accessed 28 July 2013.
13. MRA NRHP. "Green County".
14. "About Green County - Green County". greencounty.ky.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
15. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. "Kentucky Public Library Directory". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
19. "Green County School District (2021-22) | Greensburg, KY". www.publicschoolreview.com. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
20. "Greensburg Cow Days Festival 2022, a Festival in Greensburg, Kentucky". festivalnet.com. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

External links

• City of Greensburg official website