Hart County, Kentucky

Hart County
County
Hart County Courthouse in Munfordville
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°17′N85°53′W / 37.29°N 85.89°W / 37.29; -85.89
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
Founded	1819
Named for	Nathaniel G. S. Hart
Seat	Munfordville
Largest city	Horse Cave
Area
• Total	418 sq mi (1,080 km2)
• Land	412 sq mi (1,070 km2)
• Water	5.8 sq mi (15 km2)  1.4%
Population  (2020)
• Total	19,288
• Estimate  (2023)	19,724
• Density	46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.hartcountyky.org

Hart County is a county located in the south central portion of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,288. ^[1] Its county seat is Munfordville, its largest city is Horse Cave. ^[2] Hart County is a prohibition or dry county.

History

Hart County was formed in 1819 from portions of Hardin and Barren counties. ^[3] The county is named for Captain Nathaniel G. S. Hart, a Kentucky militia officer in the War of 1812 who was wounded at the Battle of Frenchtown and died in the Massacre of the River Raisin. ^{[4] [5]}

The Battle of Munfordville, a Confederate victory, was fought in the county in 1862, during the American Civil War.

A courthouse fire in January 1928 resulted in the loss of some county records. ^[6]

In 1989 the Amish settlement near Munfordville was founded. It has ties to the Geauga Amish settlement in Ohio, from where many of the Munfordville Amish came. It is the fastest growing Amish settlement in America and had 14 church districts and a total population of about 1,800 people as of 2013 ^[update] . ^{[7] [8]}

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 418 square miles (1,080 km²), of which 412 square miles (1,070 km²) is land and 5.8 square miles (15 km²) (1.4%) is water. ^[9]

Fauna

A female wolf shot in 2013 in Hart County by a hunter was the first gray wolf seen in Kentucky in modern times. ^[10]

Adjacent counties

• Hardin County (north/EST Border)
• LaRue County (northeast/EST Border)
• Green County (east)
• Metcalfe County (southeast)
• Barren County (south)
• Edmonson County (southwest)
• Grayson County (northwest)

Natural features

A portion of Mammoth Cave National Park and the cave for which it is named is located in western Hart County.

The Fisher Ridge Cave System is located in Hart County. As of 2018 ^[update] it has been mapped to a length of 125 miles (201 km) and is the fifth-longest cave in the United States and the tenth-longest cave in the world. ^{[11] [12]}

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	4,184		—
1830	5,191		24.1%
1840	7,031		35.4%
1850	9,093		29.3%
1860	10,348		13.8%
1870	13,687		32.3%
1880	17,133		25.2%
1890	16,439		−4.1%
1900	18,390		11.9%
1910	18,173		−1.2%
1920	18,544		2.0%
1930	16,169		−12.8%
1940	17,239		6.6%
1950	15,321		−11.1%
1960	14,119		−7.8%
1970	13,980		−1.0%
1980	15,402		10.2%
1990	14,890		−3.3%
2000	17,445		17.2%
2010	18,199		4.3%
2020	19,288		6.0%
2023 (est.)	19,724	[13]	2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [14] 1790-1960 [15] 1900-1990 [16] 1990-2000 [17] 2010-2020 [1]

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,445 people, 6,769 households, and 4,812 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 per square mile (16/km²). There were 8,045 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.58% White, 6.20% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,769 households, out of which 32.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.70% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,378, and the median income for a family was $31,746. Males had a median income of $26,994 versus $19,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,495. About 18.60% of families and 22.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.40% of those under age 18 and 22.00% of those age 65 or over.

Amish settlement

The Amish settlement in Hart County mainly between Munfordville and Horse Cave was founded in 1989. It has ties to the Geauga Amish settlement in Ohio, from where many of the Hart County Amish came. It is the fastest-growing Amish settlement in America and had 14 church districts and a total population of about 1,800 as of 2013 ^[update] . ^{[7] [8]} According to ARDA,in 2020,the Amish population was 2,486 or 12.9% of the total population.

Religion

Religion in Hart County,according to ARDA (2020) [18] ^{[ failed verification ]}

  Evangelical Churches (28.5%)

  Anabaptist Church ( Amish) (12.9%)

  Mainline Protestant Churches (4%)

  Catholic Church (0.8%)

  Others (0.9%)

  None * (52.9%)

*"Nones" is an unclear category. ^{[19] [20]} It is a heterogenous group of the not religious and intermittently religious. ^[21] Researchers argue that most of the "Nones" should be considered "unchurched", rather than objectively nonreligious; ^{[20] [22] [23] [24]} especially since most "Nones" do hold some religious-spiritual beliefs and a notable amount participate in behaviors. ^{[20] [22] [25] [26]} For example, 72% of American "Nones" believe in God or a Higher Power. ^[27]

Communities

Cities

• Horse Cave
• Munfordville (county seat)

Census-designated place

• Hardyville

Other unincorporated places

• Bee
• Big Windy
• Bonnieville
• Bunnell Crossing
• Canmer
• Cash
• Cub Run
• Eudora
• Hammonville
• Jonesville
• Legrande
• Linwood
• Lone Star
• Monroe
• Northtown
• Pascal
• Priceville
• Rowletts
• Seymour
• Three Springs
• Uno
• Woodsonville

Politics

Federal

In the U.S. House of Representatives, Hart County is represented by Brett Guthrie (R) of the second district. ^[28]

In presidential elections, Hart County was a swing county up until the 21st century. After that, they have shifted heavily towards the Republican Party. The last Democratic Party presidential candidate to carry the county was Bill Clinton in 1992.

United States presidential election results for Hart County, Kentucky ^[29]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	6,691	79.57%	1,642	19.53%	76	0.90%
2020	6,345	75.81%	1,908	22.80%	117	1.40%
2016	5,320	73.24%	1,730	23.82%	214	2.95%
2012	4,257	64.29%	2,283	34.48%	82	1.24%
2008	4,397	64.49%	2,290	33.59%	131	1.92%
2004	4,269	62.93%	2,470	36.41%	45	0.66%
2000	3,725	61.89%	2,201	36.57%	93	1.55%
1996	2,701	46.91%	2,527	43.89%	530	9.20%
1992	2,401	40.99%	2,852	48.69%	605	10.33%
1988	2,927	53.53%	2,519	46.07%	22	0.40%
1984	3,065	57.06%	2,278	42.41%	29	0.54%
1980	3,129	50.44%	3,005	48.44%	70	1.13%
1976	2,013	38.39%	3,189	60.81%	42	0.80%
1972	3,582	60.31%	2,307	38.84%	50	0.84%
1968	2,817	51.37%	1,658	30.23%	1,009	18.40%
1964	1,961	37.03%	3,313	62.57%	21	0.40%
1960	3,610	53.57%	3,129	46.43%	0	0.00%
1956	3,276	50.35%	3,207	49.29%	23	0.35%
1952	2,934	49.70%	2,952	50.01%	17	0.29%
1948	2,311	46.93%	2,495	50.67%	118	2.40%
1944	3,014	48.91%	3,138	50.93%	10	0.16%
1940	2,866	46.56%	3,280	53.29%	9	0.15%
1936	3,147	48.33%	3,341	51.31%	23	0.35%
1932	2,601	39.16%	4,008	60.34%	33	0.50%
1928	3,480	59.66%	2,339	40.10%	14	0.24%
1924	2,736	48.08%	2,862	50.29%	93	1.63%
1920	3,264	51.70%	2,972	47.08%	77	1.22%
1916	2,031	49.12%	2,048	49.53%	56	1.35%
1912	592	16.01%	1,674	45.28%	1,431	38.71%

State

In the Kentucky State Senate, all of Hart county is located in the 5th district. It is represented by Stephen Meredith. ^[30]

In the Kentucky house of representatives all of Hart county is located in the 5th district. It is represented by Bart Rowland. ^[31]

Education

School districts include: ^[32]

• Caverna Independent School District
• Hart County School District

See also

• Kentucky portal

• Dry county
• James Greene Hardy Local politician of the 1850s, was Lt. Gov. of Kentucky.
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Hart County, Kentucky

References

1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Rennick, Robert M. (1987). Kentucky Place Names. University Press of Kentucky. p. 133. ISBN   0813126312 . Retrieved April 28, 2013.
4. The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp.  35.
5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  151.
6. Hogan, Roseann Reinemuth (1992). Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research. Ancestry Publishing. p. 249. ISBN   9780916489496 . Retrieved July 26, 2013.
7. Joseph F. Donnermeyer and David Luthy: Amish Settlements across America: 2013, page 114.
8. "Munfordville" at amishamerica.com.
9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
10. Russ McSpadden (August 19, 2013). "Wild Wolf in Kentucky, First in 150 Years, Killed by Hunter". Earth First! News. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
11. Gulden, Bob (January 6, 2018). "USA Longest Caves". Archived from the original on April 21, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
12. Gulden, Bob (January 7, 2018). "Worlds Longest Caves". Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
13. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
14. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
17. "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 16, 2014.
18. "Hart County, Ohio - County Membership Report (2020)". The Association of Religion Data Archives.
19. Wuthnow, Robert (2015). Inventing American Religion : Polls, Surveys, and the Tenuous Quest for a Nation's Faith. Oxford University Press. pp. 151–155. ISBN   9780190258900.
20. Johnson, Byron; Stark, Rodney; Bradshaw, Matt; Levin, Jeff (2022). "Are Religious "Nones" Really Not Religious?: Revisiting Glenn, Three Decades Later". Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion. 18 (7).
21. Blankholm, Joseph (2022). The Secular Paradox : On the Religiosity of the Not Religious. New York: New York University Press. p. 7. ISBN   9781479809509.
22. Johnson, Todd; Zurlo, Gina (2016). "Unaffiliated, Yet Religious: A Methodological and Demographic Analysis". In Cipriani, Roberto; Garelli, Franco (eds.). Annual Review of the Sociology of Religion: Volume 7: Sociology of Atheism. Leiden: Brill. pp. 58–60. ISBN   9789004317536.
23. Hout, Michael; Fischer, Claude S. (October 13, 2014). "Explaining Why More Americans Have No Religious Preference: Political Backlash and Generational Succession, 1987-2012". Sociological Science. 1: 423–447. doi: 10.15195/v1.a24 .
24. Hout, Michael (November 2017). "American Religion, All or Nothing at All". Contexts. 16 (4): 78–80. doi: 10.1177/1536504217742401 . S2CID   67327797.
25. Drescher, Elizabeth (2016). Choosing our Religion: The Spiritual Lives of America's Nones. New York. pp. 21–26. ISBN   9780199341221.
26. Cox, Kiana (March 17, 2021). "Nine-in-ten Black 'nones' believe in God, but fewer pray or attend services". Pew Research Center.
27. "Key findings about Americans' belief in God". Pew Research Center. April 25, 2018.
28. "Brett Guthrie". Brett Guthrie. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
29. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
30. "Legislator-Profile - Legislative Research Commission". legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
31. "Bart Rowland". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
32. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hart County, KY" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 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 – Caverna 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. 97 (PDF p. 111/174). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2020.

37°17′N85°53′W / 37.29°N 85.89°W / 37.29; -85.89