Monroe County, Kentucky

Last updated

Monroe County
County
Monroe County Kentucky courthouse.jpg
Monroe County courthouse in Tompkinsville
Map of Kentucky highlighting Monroe County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky in United States.svg
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°43′N85°43′W / 36.71°N 85.72°W / 36.71; -85.72
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Kentucky.svg  Kentucky
Founded1820
Named for James Monroe
Seat Tompkinsville
Largest cityTompkinsville
Area
 • Total332 sq mi (860 km2)
 • Land329 sq mi (850 km2)
 • Water2.7 sq mi (7 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total11,338
 • Estimate 
(2023)
11,306 Decrease2.svg
 • Density34/sq mi (13/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website www.monroecounty.ky.gov

Monroe County is a county located in the Eastern Pennyroyal Plateau region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. Its county seat is Tompkinsville. [1] The county is named for President James Monroe. It was a prohibition or dry county until November 7, 2023, when voters approved the sale of alcohol. [2]

Contents

History

Monroe County is the only county of the 3,144 in the United States named for a President where the county seat is named for his vice-president. The county was formed in 1820; and named for James Monroe the fifth President, author of the Monroe Doctrine. [3] The county seat was named for Daniel Tompkins. They both served from 1817 to 1825.

Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan's first Kentucky raid occurred here on July 9, 1862. Morgan's Raiders, coming from Tennessee, attacked Major Thomas J. Jordan's 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry at USA garrison. Raiders captured 30 Union soldiers and destroyed tents and stores. They took 20 wagons, 50 mules, 40 horses, sugar and coffee supplies. At Glasgow they burned supplies, then went north, raiding 16 other towns before returning to Tennessee.

President Abraham Lincoln's half third cousin, Thomas Lincoln (1780–1844), lived in the Meshack Creek area of present-day Monroe County and served two terms as constable of Cumberland County in 1802 and 1804. In 1810 he left Kentucky and migrated to Ohio and Indiana. In 1799 he married Patsy Gee from Meshack Creek.

Home of the Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site. The 20-acre (81,000 m2) park features the oldest log meetinghouse in Kentucky, built in 1804 during a period of religious revival. Many Revolutionary War soldiers and pioneers, including Daniel Boone's sister, Hannah, are buried there. The structure has twelve corners in the shape of a cross and three doors, symbolic of the Holy Trinity. The Old Mulkey Church, originally called the Mill Creek Baptist Church, was established by a small band of pioneer Baptists from North and South Carolina and led by Philip Mulkey. The site became part of the park system in 1931.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 332 square miles (860 km2), of which 329 square miles (850 km2) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.8%) is water. [4]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830 5,340—
1840 6,52622.2%
1850 7,75618.8%
1860 8,55110.3%
1870 9,2318.0%
1880 10,74116.4%
1890 10,9892.3%
1900 13,05318.8%
1910 13,6634.7%
1920 14,2144.0%
1930 13,077−8.0%
1940 14,0707.6%
1950 13,770−2.1%
1960 11,799−14.3%
1970 11,642−1.3%
1980 12,3536.1%
1990 11,401−7.7%
2000 11,7563.1%
2010 10,963−6.7%
2020 11,3383.4%
2023 (est.)11,306 [5] −0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]
1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8]
1990-2000 [9] 2010-2021 [10]

As of the census [11] of 2000, there were 11,756 people, 4,741 households, and 3,380 families residing in the county. The population density was 36 per square mile (14/km2). There were 5,288 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.57% White, 2.76% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.01% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,741 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,356, and the median income for a family was $27,112. Males had a median income of $21,820 versus $17,783 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,365. About 20.00% of families and 23.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.60% of those under age 18 and 30.30% of those age 65 or over. The county has long been a "persistent poverty" county as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Located on the overwhelmingly Unionist eastern Pennyroyal, which was too hilly to have large plantations with many slaves, Monroe County was split 50/50 to secession during the Civil War. [12] However, it identified with the GOP after the return of peace and has remained strongly Republican ever since. The last Democrat to carry Monroe County at a Presidential level was George B. McClellan in 1864, and since at least 1896 no Democrat has managed to reach 40 percent of the county's vote. Underlining how Republican the county is, Franklin D. Roosevelt did no better than 38 percent in his four successful bids for president, and actually polled two points lower in 1936 (while winning 46 out of 48 states) than he did in 1932. Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide is the last time a Democrat passed 30 percent. However, factional splits among the county's Republicans, beginning in the 1970s, have led to the election of a few Democrats and independents.

The county has produced two members of Congress, Tim Lee Carter and James Comer.

United States presidential election results for Monroe County, Kentucky [13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 4,67988.15%57610.85%531.00%
2020 4,62886.83%65712.33%450.84%
2016 4,27885.71%60112.04%1122.24%
2012 3,76279.27%93619.72%481.01%
2008 3,53775.82%1,06722.87%611.31%
2004 4,65779.70%1,15819.82%280.48%
2000 4,37778.60%1,15820.79%340.61%
1996 3,30068.03%1,11422.96%4379.01%
1992 3,77665.07%1,51526.11%5128.82%
1988 4,21480.02%1,02519.46%270.51%
1984 4,76081.47%1,05218.00%310.53%
1980 4,59279.00%1,15619.89%651.12%
1976 3,35269.91%1,41229.45%310.65%
1972 3,77082.57%76816.82%280.61%
1968 4,08676.06%69312.90%59311.04%
1964 3,29365.73%1,71334.19%40.08%
1960 4,33781.72%97018.28%00.00%
1956 3,75974.97%1,25525.03%00.00%
1952 3,67577.22%1,08422.78%00.00%
1948 2,81268.04%1,24930.22%721.74%
1944 3,64876.82%1,10123.18%00.00%
1940 3,32170.33%1,39029.44%110.23%
1936 2,34563.28%1,35236.48%90.24%
1932 2,55961.07%1,62038.66%110.26%
1928 3,12778.59%84321.19%90.23%
1924 2,48971.18%97027.74%381.09%
1920 3,42675.31%1,10824.36%150.33%
1916 2,00869.29%88230.43%80.28%
1912 1,07241.81%80631.44%68626.76%

See also

Related Research Articles

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

Clinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky in the Pennyrile Region along the southern border with Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,253. Its county seat is Albany. The county was formed in 1835 and named for DeWitt Clinton, the seventh Governor of New York. It is a prohibition or dry county.

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

Clay County is a county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 7,581. Its county seat and only incorporated city is Celina. Clay County is named in honor of American statesman Henry Clay, member of the United States Senate from Kentucky and United States Secretary of State in the 19th century.

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

Robertson County is a county located on the central northern border of Tennessee in the United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 72,803 people. Its county seat is Springfield. The county was named for James Robertson, an explorer, founder of Nashville, and a state senator, who was often called the "Father of Middle Tennessee." Robertson County is a component of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Macon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,216. Its county seat is Lafayette. Macon County is part of the Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Monroe County is a county in northeast Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,666. Its county seat is Paris. It is the birthplace of Mark Twain.

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

Simpson County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the total population was 19,594. Its county seat is Franklin.

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

Russell County is a county located in the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,991. Its county seat is Jamestown and its largest city is Russell Springs. The county was formed on December 14, 1825, from portions of Adair, Cumberland and Wayne Counties and is named for William Russell.

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

Metcalfe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Its county seat and only municipality is Edmonton. The county was founded in May 1860 and named for Thomas Metcalfe, Governor of Kentucky from 1828 to 1832. Metcalfe County is part of the Glasgow, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Bowling Green-Glasgow, KY Combined Statistical Area.

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

Logan County is a county in the southwest Pennyroyal Plateau area of Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,432. Its county seat is Russellville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lincoln County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, 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.

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

Hickman County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,521, making it the third-least populous county in Kentucky. Its county seat is Clinton. The county was formed in 1821. It is the least densely populated county in the state and is a prohibition or dry county.

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

Cumberland County is a county located in the Pennyroyal Plateau region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,888. Its county seat is Burkesville. The county was formed in 1798 and named for the Cumberland River, which in turn may have been named after the Duke of Cumberland or the English county of Cumberland.

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

Butler County is a county located in the US state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 12,371. Its county seat is Morgantown. The county was formed in 1810, becoming Kentucky's 53rd county. Butler County is included in the Bowling Green, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Allen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,588. Its county seat and only municipality is Scottsville. The county is named for Colonel John Allen, a state senator and soldier who was killed leading the 1st Regiment of Kentucky Rifleman at the Battle of Frenchtown, Michigan during the War of 1812. Allen County was a dry county until 2023, when it voted to legalize the sale of alcohol. It was formed in 1815 from parts of Barren and Warren counties. Allen County is included in the Bowling Green, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Burkesville is a home rule-class city in Cumberland County, Kentucky, in the United States. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Appalachia and bordered by the Cumberland River to the south and east, it is the seat of its county. The population was 3,713 at the 2020 census.

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

Edmonton is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Metcalfe County, Kentucky, United States. It is part of the Glasgow Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,671 at the 2020 census.

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

Fountain Run is a home rule-class city in Monroe County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 216 at the 2020 census.

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

Gamaliel is a home rule-class city in Monroe County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 391 at the 2020 census.

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

Tompkinsville is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Monroe County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,309 at the 2020 census. The city was named after Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins who served under President James Monroe, for whom the county was named.

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

Madisonville is the county seat of Monroe County, Tennessee, United States. It is located in East Tennessee on the eastern border of the state. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 5,132.

References

  1. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  2. ↑ Whaley, Will (November 8, 2023). "Monroe County voters approve to legalize alcohol sales". www.wbko.com. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  3. ↑ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp.  36.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  9. ↑ "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 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ↑ Copeland, James E.; ‘Where Were the Kentucky Unionists and Secessionists’; The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, volume 71, no. 4 (October 1973), pp. 344-363
  13. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 5, 2018.

36°43′N85°43′W / 36.71°N 85.72°W / 36.71; -85.72

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.