Laurel County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°06′38″N84°07′04″W / 37.11067°N 84.1178°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Kentucky |
Founded | December 21, 1825 |
Named for | Mountain laurel trees |
Seat | London |
Largest city | London |
Area | |
• Total | 444 sq mi (1,150 km2) |
• Land | 434 sq mi (1,120 km2) |
• Water | 9.7 sq mi (25 km2) 2.2% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 62,613 |
• Estimate (2023) | 63,296 |
• Density | 140/sq mi (54/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 5th |
Website | londonky |
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. [1] Its county seat is London. [2] 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.
Laurel County, the 80th county to be organized in Kentucky, was established by an act of the general assembly, December 21, 1825, from parts of Rockcastle, Clay, Knox and Whitley Counties. [3] Laurel County was named from the Laurel River, noted for dense laurel thickets along its banks. [4]
Laurel County was the location of the Battle of Wildcat Mountain, a pivotal yet little known battle during the American Civil War that kept Confederate armies from advancing on Big Hill, a major stronghold during the war.
After a fire damaged the courthouse in 1958, a new structure was completed in 1961. [5]
The first Kentucky Fried Chicken was started in southern Laurel County by Colonel Harland Sanders just north of Corbin. Nowadays, visitors are welcomed to the original cafe and museum where they can eat at, tour, and learn about the start of the worldwide franchise. Due to the history of chicken in the county, The World Chicken Festival is celebrated every year in London, the county seat, drawing crowds of up to 250,000 people over the four-day festival.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 444 square miles (1,150 km2), of which 434 square miles (1,120 km2) is land and 9.7 square miles (25 km2) (2.2%) is water. [6] Part of Laurel River Lake is in Laurel County.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1830 | 2,206 | — | |
1840 | 3,079 | 39.6% | |
1850 | 4,145 | 34.6% | |
1860 | 5,488 | 32.4% | |
1870 | 6,016 | 9.6% | |
1880 | 9,131 | 51.8% | |
1890 | 13,747 | 50.6% | |
1900 | 17,592 | 28.0% | |
1910 | 19,872 | 13.0% | |
1920 | 19,814 | −0.3% | |
1930 | 21,109 | 6.5% | |
1940 | 25,640 | 21.5% | |
1950 | 25,797 | 0.6% | |
1960 | 24,901 | −3.5% | |
1970 | 27,386 | 10.0% | |
1980 | 38,982 | 42.3% | |
1990 | 43,438 | 11.4% | |
2000 | 52,715 | 21.4% | |
2010 | 58,849 | 11.6% | |
2020 | 62,613 | 6.4% | |
2023 (est.) | 63,296 | [7] | 1.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010-2020 [1] |
As of the census of 2020, there were 62,613 people, 22,573 (2015–2019) households, and families residing in the county. The population density was 121 per square mile (47/km2). There were 22,317 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.66% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.
As of the census of 2010, Laurel County was 97.00% White or European American, 0.3% Native American and 0.7% Black or African American. [12]
There were 20,353 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.
The age distribution was 25.40% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $27,015, and the median income for a family was $31,318. Males had a median income of $27,965 versus $19,757 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,165. About 17.80% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.80% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.
Like all of the eastern Pennyroyal Plateau and adjacent parts of the Western and Eastern Coalfields, Laurel County was strongly pro-Union during the Civil War. The county – in common with all adjacent areas – has been rock-ribbed Republican ever since. The only Democrats to receive forty percent of the county's vote since then have been Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1932 landslide and Lyndon Johnson during an equally large landslide in 1964, although with the Republican Party mortally divided Woodrow Wilson did obtain a nine-vote plurality in 1912.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 23,516 | 84.34% | 4,037 | 14.48% | 331 | 1.19% |
2020 | 23,237 | 82.66% | 4,475 | 15.92% | 399 | 1.42% |
2016 | 20,592 | 82.92% | 3,440 | 13.85% | 801 | 3.23% |
2012 | 18,151 | 81.00% | 3,905 | 17.43% | 352 | 1.57% |
2008 | 17,660 | 78.49% | 4,618 | 20.52% | 222 | 0.99% |
2004 | 16,819 | 75.54% | 5,297 | 23.79% | 148 | 0.66% |
2000 | 13,029 | 71.90% | 4,856 | 26.80% | 235 | 1.30% |
1996 | 9,454 | 62.65% | 4,306 | 28.54% | 1,330 | 8.81% |
1992 | 8,583 | 57.03% | 4,560 | 30.30% | 1,907 | 12.67% |
1988 | 9,296 | 71.54% | 3,620 | 27.86% | 78 | 0.60% |
1984 | 9,621 | 74.41% | 3,267 | 25.27% | 41 | 0.32% |
1980 | 8,868 | 68.23% | 3,969 | 30.54% | 160 | 1.23% |
1976 | 6,186 | 61.41% | 3,813 | 37.85% | 74 | 0.73% |
1972 | 7,276 | 75.63% | 2,274 | 23.64% | 70 | 0.73% |
1968 | 6,251 | 67.57% | 1,756 | 18.98% | 1,244 | 13.45% |
1964 | 5,008 | 57.80% | 3,633 | 41.93% | 24 | 0.28% |
1960 | 7,485 | 76.42% | 2,309 | 23.58% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 6,586 | 73.87% | 2,316 | 25.98% | 14 | 0.16% |
1952 | 5,776 | 71.74% | 2,263 | 28.11% | 12 | 0.15% |
1948 | 4,107 | 64.60% | 2,187 | 34.40% | 64 | 1.01% |
1944 | 5,051 | 70.54% | 2,104 | 29.39% | 5 | 0.07% |
1940 | 5,180 | 64.27% | 2,860 | 35.48% | 20 | 0.25% |
1936 | 4,798 | 64.08% | 2,677 | 35.76% | 12 | 0.16% |
1932 | 4,827 | 57.26% | 3,569 | 42.34% | 34 | 0.40% |
1928 | 4,906 | 81.06% | 1,141 | 18.85% | 5 | 0.08% |
1924 | 3,274 | 66.24% | 1,451 | 29.35% | 218 | 4.41% |
1920 | 4,252 | 71.96% | 1,621 | 27.43% | 36 | 0.61% |
1916 | 2,383 | 65.29% | 1,171 | 32.08% | 96 | 2.63% |
1912 | 1,085 | 32.66% | 1,094 | 32.93% | 1,143 | 34.41% |
Two public school districts serve K–12 students in the county: [14]
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 20,345. Clay County Kentucky is part of the Corbin Kentucky Micropolitan area. Its county seat is Manchester. The county was formed in 1807 and named in honor of Green Clay (1757–1826). Clay was a member of the Virginia and Kentucky State legislatures, first cousin once removed of Henry Clay, U.S. Senator from Kentucky and Secretary of State in the 19th century.
Whitley County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,712. Its county seat is at Williamsburg, though the largest city is Corbin, and the county's District Court sits in both cities. Whitley County is included in the London, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,023. Its county seat is Campbellsville. Settled by people from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and North Carolina after the American Revolutionary War, the county was organized in 1848 in the Highland Rim region. It is named for United States Army General Zachary Taylor, later President of the United States. Taylor County was the 100th of the 120 counties created by Kentucky. The Campbellsville Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Taylor County.
Rockcastle County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,037. Its county seat is Mt. Vernon.
Pulaski County is a county in the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 65,034. Its county seat is Somerset. The county was founded in December 1798 from land given by Lincoln and Green Counties and named for Polish patriot Count Casimir Pulaski. Pulaski County comprises the Somerset, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area. Somerset's population is just over 11,000, but the Micropolitan Area for Somerset/Pulaski County is over 65,000.
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.
Lincoln County is a county located in south-central Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 24,275. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln County is part of the Danville, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.
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.
Jackson County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,955. Its county seat is McKee. The county was formed in 1858 from land given by Madison, Estill, Owsley, Clay, Laurel, and Rockcastle counties. It was named for Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States. Jackson County became a moist county via a "local-option" referendum in the Fall of 2019 that legalized the sale of alcoholic beverages in the city of McKee.
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.
McKee is a home rule-class city located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States. It is the seat and second-largest community of Jackson County. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 803. The city was founded on April 1, 1882, and was named for Judge George R. McKee. In 2019, the city held a vote regarding the sale of alcohol, which passed, making the city wet.
East Bernstadt is a census-designated place (CDP) and coal town in Laurel County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 716 at the 2010 census, down from 774 at the 2000 census.
London is a home rule-class city in Laurel County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 8,053 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the second-largest city named "London" in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world. It is part of the London, Kentucky micropolitan area. Of the seventeen micropolitan areas in Kentucky, London is the largest; the London micropolitan area's 2010 Census population was 126,368. London is also home to the annual World Chicken Festival that celebrates the life of Colonel Sanders and features the world's largest skillet.
Williamsburg is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Whitley County, on the southeastern border of Kentucky, United States. The population was 5,326 at the 2020 census. Developed along the Cumberland River, the city was founded in 1818 and named after William Whitley.
Corbin is a home rule-class city in Whitley, Knox and Laurel counties in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 7,856.
North Corbin is a census-designated place (CDP) in Laurel and Knox counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 1,727 at the 2020 census down from 1,773 at the 2010 census. The census bureau also lists the Laurel County portion of North Corbin as a CCD with a population of 10,729.
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.
The Corbin Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of Whitley County, Kentucky, anchored by the Whitley County portion of the city of Corbin. As of the 2000 census, the μSA had a population of 35,865.
The London, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Micropolitan Statistical Area located in the vicinity of London, Kentucky. The London Micropolitan Statistical Area encompasses Laurel County entirely. The Micropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 52,715 at the 2000 Census. A July 1, 2009 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 57,749.
The Corbin, Kentucky Micropolitan Area Micropolitan Area (μSA) is made up of four counties in the Eastern Coalfield region of Kentucky. Before 2013, the area was officially known as the Corbin–London, KY Combined Statistical Area, and consisted of the Corbin Micropolitan Statistical Area and the London Micropolitan Statistical Area. The Corbin micropolitan area consisted of Whitley County, and the London micropolitan area consisted of Laurel County.