Jefferson County, Kentucky

Last updated

Jefferson County
Consolidated city-county
Jefferson County KY Courthouse 2.jpg
Jefferson County Courthouse (now Louisville Metro Hall) in downtown Louisville
Jeffcoseal.jpg
Seal
Map of Kentucky highlighting Jefferson County 2.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky in United States.svg
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°11′N85°40′W / 38.19°N 85.66°W / 38.19; -85.66
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Kentucky.svg  Kentucky
Founded1780
Named for Thomas Jefferson
Seat Louisville
Largest cityLouisville
Area
 • Total
398 sq mi (1,030 km2)
 • Land380 sq mi (1,000 km2)
 • Water17 sq mi (40 km2)  4.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
782,969
 • Estimate 
(2023)
772,144 Decrease2.svg
 • Density2,000/sq mi (760/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts 3rd, 2nd
Website louisvilleky.gov

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. [1] It is the most populous county in the commonwealth (with more than twice the population of second ranked Fayette County).

Contents

Since a city-county merger in 2003, the county's territory, population and government have been coextensive with the city of Louisville, which also serves as county seat. The administrative entity created by this merger is the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, [2] abbreviated to Louisville Metro. [3]

Jefferson County is the anchor of the Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area, locally referred to as Kentuckiana.

History

Jefferson County—originally Jefferson County, Virginia—was established by the Virginia General Assembly in June 1780, when it abolished and partitioned Kentucky County into three counties: Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln. Named for Thomas Jefferson, who was governor of Virginia at the time, [4] it was one of Kentucky's nine original counties on June 1, 1792.

Jefferson County in 1780, as established by the Virginia General Assembly Kentucky County, Virginia 1780.png
Jefferson County in 1780, as established by the Virginia General Assembly

In 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, George Rogers Clark's militia and 60 civilian settlers, established the first American settlement in the county on Corn Island in the Ohio River, at head of the Falls of the Ohio. They moved to the mainland the following year, establishing Louisville.

Richard Mentor Johnson, the 9th Vice President of the United States, was born in Jefferson County in 1780, while the family was living in a settlement along the Beargrass Creek. [5]

The last major American Indian raid in present-day Jefferson County was the Chenoweth Massacre on July 17, 1789.

Government

Whenever possible, the metro government generally avoids any self-reference including the name "Jefferson County" and has even renamed the Jefferson County Courthouse as Metro Hall .

Prior to the 2003 merger, the head of local government was the County Judge/Executive, a post that still exists but now has few powers. The office is currently held by Queenie Averette. [6]

Local government is effectively now led by the Mayor of Louisville Metro, Craig Greenberg.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398 square miles (1,030 km2), of which 380 square miles (980 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (4.3%) is water. [7] The Ohio River forms its northern boundary with the state of Indiana.

The highest point is South Park Hill, elevation 902 feet (275 m), located in the southern part of the county. [8] The lowest point is 383 feet (117 m) along the Ohio River just north of West Point. [9]

Adjacent counties

Infrastructure

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1790 4,765—
1800 8,75483.7%
1810 13,39953.1%
1820 20,76855.0%
1830 23,97915.5%
1840 36,34651.6%
1850 59,83164.6%
1860 89,40449.4%
1870 118,95333.1%
1880 146,01022.7%
1890 188,59829.2%
1900 232,54923.3%
1910 262,92013.1%
1920 286,3698.9%
1930 355,35024.1%
1940 385,3928.5%
1950 484,61525.7%
1960 610,94726.1%
1970 695,05513.8%
1980 685,004−1.4%
1990 664,937−2.9%
2000 693,6044.3%
2010 741,0966.8%
2020 782,9695.7%
2023 (est.)772,144 [10] −1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [11]
1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13]
1990–2000 [14] 2010–2020 [1]

2020 census

Jefferson County, Kentucky – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / EthnicityPop 2000 [15] Pop 2010 [16] Pop 2020 [17] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)530,056522,561490,25176.42%70.51%62.61%
Black or African American alone (NH)130,003152,451167,06718.74%20.57%21.34%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1,4091,4921,4410.20%0.20%0.18%
Asian alone (NH)9,56216,17126,9441.38%2.18%3.44%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)2244035590.03%0.05%0.07%
Some Other Race alone (NH)1,1431,2553,7070.16%0.17%0.47%
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)8,83714,22133,9791.27%1.92%4.34%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)12,37032,54259,0211.78%4.39%7.54%
Total693,604741,096782,969100.00%100.00%100.00%

As of the census [18] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,801 per square mile (695/km2). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 794 per square mile (307/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.38% White, 18.88% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 287,012 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% were married couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $54,357 (2018), and the median income for a family was $49,161 (2005). Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females (2005). The per capita income for the county was $31,980 (2018). About 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over (2018).

Communities

Since the formation of Louisville Metro on January 6, 2003, residents of the cities below also became citizens of the newly expanded Metro, but none of the incorporated places dissolved in the process. The functions formerly served by the county government for the towns were assumed by Louisville Metro. However, the former City of Louisville was effectively absorbed into the new city-county government.

Jefferson County KY places.svg
† Formerly a census-designated place in the county, but, in 2003, these places became, according to local media, neighborhoods within the city limits of Louisville Metro.

Politics

Like most urban counties nationwide, Jefferson County is currently a Democratic stronghold.

Jefferson County has voted for the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992. In the 2019 gubernatorial election, it voted for Democrat Andy Beshear by a higher percentage than any other county in Kentucky, giving him 67% of the vote.

The county voted "No" on 2022 Kentucky Amendment 2, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 71% to 29%, outpacing its support of Joe Biden during the 2020 presidential election. [19]

United States presidential election results for Jefferson County, Kentucky [20] [21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 144,55340.64%203,07057.09%8,0992.28%
2020 150,64638.84%228,35858.87%8,8862.29%
2016 143,76840.72%190,83654.05%18,4965.24%
2012 148,42343.60%186,18154.69%5,8081.71%
2008 153,95743.38%196,43555.34%4,5441.28%
2004 164,56648.75%170,15850.41%2,8450.84%
2000 145,05247.97%149,90149.58%7,4092.45%
1996 114,86041.03%144,20751.52%20,8467.45%
1992 116,56637.63%152,72849.30%40,49913.07%
1988 139,71152.01%127,93647.63%9820.37%
1984 167,64057.66%122,13342.01%9770.34%
1980 127,25447.97%125,84447.44%12,1884.59%
1976 130,26250.21%122,73147.31%6,4522.49%
1972 142,43660.41%88,14337.39%5,1852.20%
1968 95,94243.09%90,24240.53%36,47316.38%
1964 80,95135.53%146,02364.09%8490.37%
1960 118,57550.30%117,18049.70%00.00%
1956 119,26258.49%83,48340.94%1,1720.57%
1952 99,06954.60%81,64244.99%7360.41%
1948 69,64547.42%70,75648.18%6,4564.40%
1944 60,90543.01%80,23656.66%4800.34%
1940 66,05240.97%94,71058.75%4560.28%
1936 53,04337.26%85,74860.23%3,5832.52%
1932 67,13747.58%72,40251.31%1,5571.10%
1928 97,80360.14%64,47239.65%3380.21%
1924 61,76852.53%50,40942.87%5,4094.60%
1920 68,20254.32%56,04644.64%1,3011.04%
1916 28,38648.68%28,84049.46%1,0881.87%
1912 3,5196.73%24,10046.08%24,68647.20%
1908 27,18049.69%26,18647.87%1,3342.44%
1904 21,66447.14%22,78149.57%1,5143.29%
1900 24,90653.52%21,10745.36%5231.12%
1896 29,10761.57%16,70735.34%1,4583.08%
1892 13,45438.13%20,91959.29%9092.58%
1888 12,86342.05%17,53557.32%1930.63%
1884 8,70942.69%11,26655.23%4242.08%
1880 8,74637.61%13,97060.08%5362.31%

Education

The public school districts for the county are: Jefferson County School District (JCPS) and Anchorage Independent School District. [22] The Anchorage district only covers grades K-8; Anchorage district residents may attend JCPS or Oldham County Schools. [23]

Kentucky School for the Blind, a state-operated school, is in Louisville.

See also

Related Research Articles

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

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

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<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">Henry County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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

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

Anchorage is a home rule-class city in eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,500 as of the 2020 census, up from 2,348 at the 2010 census and an estimated 2,432 in 2018. It is a suburb of Louisville.

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

Barbourmeade is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. It was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1962. The population was 1,216 as of the 2020 census, stagnant from 1,218 at the 2010 census.

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

Brownsboro Village is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 319 at the 2010 census.

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

Druid Hills is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 308 at the 2010 census. It was incorporated in 1950.

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

Indian Hills is a home rule-class city along the Ohio River in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,860 as of the 2020 census. Indian Hills and the nearby cities of Mockingbird Valley, Glenview, and Anchorage have been cited as Louisville's most prosperous suburbs since the mid-20th century. Indian Hills was among the nation's highest-income places as of the 2000 U.S. census.

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Lyndon is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 11,002 at the 2010 census, up from 9,369 at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Brownsboro Place, Kentucky</span> City in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States

Old Brownsboro Place is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, and a part of the united Metro government. The population was 353 at the 2010 census.

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

Poplar Hills is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. It is a part of the Louisville Metro government, but operates as a city under the Mayor to Commissioner form of government. Per the 2020 census, the population was 380, but the city administration has made several annexation ordinances that have passed and awaits updated information. The current city population is estimated to be 380. It currently has the highest population density for any city in Kentucky.

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

St. Matthews is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. It forms part of the Louisville Metro government but is separately incorporated as a home rule-class city. The population was 17,472 at the 2010 census, up from 15,852 at the 2000 census. It is the 23rd-largest city in the state. St. Matthews is one of the state's major shopping areas, home to the fifth-largest mall in Kentucky along with many smaller shopping centers along Shelbyville Road.

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

Ten Broeck is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 103 at the 2010 census.

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

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Anchorage Public Schools is a public school district in Jefferson County, based in Anchorage, Kentucky.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government Code of Ordinances". American Legal Publishing Corporation. Archived from the original on July 1, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government Code of Ordinances § 10.06 DEFINITIONS". American Legal Publishing Corporation. Archived from the original on August 20, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  4. ↑ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp.  35.
  5. ↑ "Richard M. Johnson, 9th Vice Pres. of the USA". geni_family_tree. October 17, 1781. Archived from the original on July 3, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  6. ↑ Shafer, Sheldon (September 14, 2014). "Beshear appoints Averette as judge-exec". The Courier-Journal . Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved October 8, 2016.
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Groundwater Resources of Jefferson County, Kentucky – Topography". Groundwater Resources in Kentucky. Kentucky Geological Survey. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  9. ↑ Kleber, John (2001). The Encyclopedia of Louisville. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 888–889. ISBN   9780813121000.
  10. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  13. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  15. ↑ "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Jefferson County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau . Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  16. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jefferson County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau . Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  17. ↑ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jefferson County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau . Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  19. ↑ "November 8, 2022 - Official 2022 General Election Results" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2024.
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
  21. ↑ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 23,516 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,170 votes.
  22. ↑ "2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jefferson County, KY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022. – Text list Archived July 24, 2022, at the Wayback Machine
    The specific Anchorage school boundary is here: "Appendix B: Maps Of Independent School Districts In Operation In FY 2014-FY 2015 Using 2005 Tax District Boundaries – Anchorage 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. 86 (PDF p. 100/174). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Chapter 3, Exchange of Nonresident Students with Other Districts: Districts Without High Schools" (PDF). Research Report No. 415 – Kentucky's Independent School Districts: A Primer. Frankfort, KY: Office of Education Accountability, Legislative Research Commission. September 15, 2015. pp. 49–50 (PDF p. 63–64/17). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2022.

38°11′N85°40′W / 38.19°N 85.66°W / 38.19; -85.66

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