Union County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 37°40′N87°57′W / 37.66°N 87.95°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Kentucky |
Founded | January 15, 1811 |
Seat | Morganfield |
Largest city | Morganfield |
Area | |
• Total | 363.38 sq mi (941.1 km2) |
• Land | 342.85 sq mi (888.0 km2) |
• Water | 20.53 sq mi (53.2 km2) 5.6% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 13,668 |
• Estimate (2023) | 13,106 |
• Density | 38/sq mi (15/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | www |
Union County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,668. [1] Its county seat is Morganfield. [2] The county was created effective January 15, 1811.
The county is located on the left (east) bank of the Ohio River opposite its confluence with the Wabash River. Union County, along with neighboring Posey County, Indiana, and Gallatin County, Illinois, form the tri-point of the Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky Tri-State Area.
Union County lies on the northern border of Kentucky; its northwestern border is formed by the meanders of the Ohio River, abutting the states of Illinois and Indiana. The county terrain consists of frequent low wooded hills among the level areas, which are devoted to agriculture. [3] Its highest point (673 feet/205 meters ASL) is a rise in the Chalybeate Hills, in the Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area. [4]
The John T. Myers Locks and Dam, authorized and constructed as Uniontown Locks and Dam, is located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) downstream from Uniontown, on the Ohio River, linking Union County and Posey County Indiana. Construction of the dam was begun in 1965 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and completed in 1977. It was renamed on October 12, 1996, to honor retired Indiana congressman John T. Myers. [5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363.38 square miles (941.1 km2), of which 342.85 square miles (888.0 km2) is land and 20.53 square miles (53.2 km2) (5.6%) is water. [6] Union County is part of the Western Coal Fields region of Kentucky.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1820 | 3,470 | — | |
1830 | 4,764 | 37.3% | |
1840 | 6,673 | 40.1% | |
1850 | 9,012 | 35.1% | |
1860 | 12,791 | 41.9% | |
1870 | 13,640 | 6.6% | |
1880 | 17,809 | 30.6% | |
1890 | 18,229 | 2.4% | |
1900 | 21,326 | 17.0% | |
1910 | 19,886 | −6.8% | |
1920 | 18,040 | −9.3% | |
1930 | 17,053 | −5.5% | |
1940 | 17,411 | 2.1% | |
1950 | 14,893 | −14.5% | |
1960 | 14,537 | −2.4% | |
1970 | 15,882 | 9.3% | |
1980 | 17,821 | 12.2% | |
1990 | 16,557 | −7.1% | |
2000 | 15,637 | −5.6% | |
2010 | 15,007 | −4.0% | |
2020 | 13,668 | −8.9% | |
2023 (est.) | 13,106 | [17] | −4.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census [18] 1790-1960 [19] 1900-1990 [20] 1990-2000 [21] 2010-2020 [1] |
As of the census of 2010, the population was 15,007. Of this, 85.45% were White, 12.05% were Black or African American, 1.49% were two or more races, 0.44% were some other race, 0.34% were Asian, 0.19% were American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.05% were Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Hispanic or Latino (of any race) were 1.62% of the population.
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,637 people, 5,710 households, and 4,082 families in the county. The population density was 45 per square mile (17/km2). There were 6,234 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.04% White, 12.89% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.39% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 1.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,710 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.
25.30% of the population was under the age of 18, 13.80% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,018, and the median income for a family was $43,103. Males had a median income of $30,244 versus $20,817 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,465. About 9.30% of families and 17.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.30% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
Public schools are managed by Union County Public Schools. The three public elementary schools in the county are located in Morganfield, Sturgis, and Uniontown. The county has one public middle school and one public high school, Union County High School. Located near Morganfield, Kentucky, it is known for its wrestling program. John Paul II Catholic School, the county's only private school, in Morganfield, holds preschool, elementary, and middle school classes.
There are three libraries in Union County, with the main branch in Morganfield and branches in Sturgis and Uniontown.tic experience for grades K-5. The library supplies the county with educational resources such as computers with internet access. There are several programs for children:
Access to KY Virtual Library provides: • Britannica Digital Learning • Databases • EBSCO • Kentucky Virtual Library • LearningExpress Library • NoveList • ProQuest • Scholastic GO! • TeenBookCloud (pilot) • WorldCat (OCLC)
The Union County Public Library District offers test-proctoring services at the Morganfield location.
Children's online educational resources include: • ABCya • Bob the builder • CoolMath4Kids • Dr. Seuss • Fun with Spot • KidzPage • Little Critter • Littlest Pet Shop • Neopets • Nick Jr. • Nickelodeon • PBS Kids • Ramo Math games • Star Wars • Turtle Diary • Typing games
Ready Reference Links include: Fast Facts, Health, Jobs, Kentucky Driver's Tests, Kentucky Legal Assistance Information, Kentucky Links, Kids, Language, Newspapers, People, Senior Links, Staff Resources, Tax Information, Teen Links, and Union County Links
Union County was a longtime Democratic stronghold in presidential elections. However, it gradually shifted to supporting Republican candidates. In 2016, Donald Trump won more than three fourths of the county's vote.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 4,965 | 75.49% | 1,529 | 23.25% | 83 | 1.26% |
2016 | 4,701 | 75.69% | 1,331 | 21.43% | 179 | 2.88% |
2012 | 3,955 | 66.15% | 1,942 | 32.48% | 82 | 1.37% |
2008 | 3,120 | 51.71% | 2,804 | 46.47% | 110 | 1.82% |
2004 | 3,534 | 59.13% | 2,398 | 40.12% | 45 | 0.75% |
2000 | 2,749 | 51.21% | 2,547 | 47.45% | 72 | 1.34% |
1996 | 1,554 | 30.57% | 2,913 | 57.30% | 617 | 12.14% |
1992 | 1,605 | 27.97% | 3,325 | 57.94% | 809 | 14.10% |
1988 | 2,292 | 40.72% | 3,316 | 58.92% | 20 | 0.36% |
1984 | 2,524 | 44.78% | 3,090 | 54.82% | 23 | 0.41% |
1980 | 1,847 | 33.97% | 3,479 | 63.99% | 111 | 2.04% |
1976 | 1,716 | 32.30% | 3,540 | 66.64% | 56 | 1.05% |
1972 | 2,701 | 58.67% | 1,855 | 40.29% | 48 | 1.04% |
1968 | 1,371 | 23.66% | 2,616 | 45.15% | 1,807 | 31.19% |
1964 | 1,220 | 23.55% | 3,934 | 75.93% | 27 | 0.52% |
1960 | 1,789 | 34.10% | 3,457 | 65.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 1,956 | 37.67% | 2,863 | 55.13% | 374 | 7.20% |
1952 | 1,967 | 36.28% | 3,445 | 63.54% | 10 | 0.18% |
1948 | 744 | 16.68% | 3,607 | 80.86% | 110 | 2.47% |
1944 | 935 | 21.08% | 3,489 | 78.65% | 12 | 0.27% |
1940 | 1,111 | 20.30% | 4,355 | 79.56% | 8 | 0.15% |
1936 | 965 | 16.68% | 4,713 | 81.47% | 107 | 1.85% |
1932 | 1,063 | 17.74% | 4,892 | 81.66% | 36 | 0.60% |
1928 | 2,350 | 37.64% | 3,884 | 62.21% | 9 | 0.14% |
1924 | 1,778 | 32.05% | 3,493 | 62.97% | 276 | 4.98% |
1920 | 1,943 | 27.97% | 4,919 | 70.81% | 85 | 1.22% |
1916 | 1,184 | 29.66% | 2,754 | 68.99% | 54 | 1.35% |
1912 | 642 | 19.22% | 2,168 | 64.91% | 530 | 15.87% |
Clay County is a county in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 13,288. Since 1842, its county seat has been Louisville, in the center of the county's area.
Clay County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 6,104. Its county seat is Clay Center. The county was formed in 1855, and was organized in 1871. It was named for Henry Clay, a member of the United States Senate from Kentucky, who went on to become United States Secretary of State.
Obion County is a county located in the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,787. The county seat is Union City. The county was formed in 1823 and organized in 1824. It was named after the Obion River.
Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky along the southern border with Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,555. Its county seat is Monticello. The county, on the south-central border with Tennessee, was named for Gen. Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War hero. As of November 3, 2020, Wayne County is a wet county—a measure allowing the sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks passed by a margin of 4,901 for and 3,966 against.
Meade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,003. Its county seat is Brandenburg. The county was founded December 17, 1823, and named for Captain James M. Meade, who was killed in action at the Battle of River Raisin during the War of 1812. Meade County is part of the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Louisville/Jefferson County-Elizabethtown-Madison, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area.
Logan County is a county in the southwest Pennyroyal Plateau area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 27,432. Its county seat is Russellville.
LaRue County is a county in the central region of the U.S. state of Kentucky, outside the Bluegrass Region and larger population centers. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,867. Its county seat is Hodgenville, which is best known as the birthplace of United States President Abraham Lincoln. The county was established on March 4, 1843, from the southeast portion of Hardin County. It was named for John P. LaRue, an early settler. LaRue County is included in the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Louisville/Jefferson County-Elizabethtown-Bardstown, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area. It is a dry county.
Jefferson County is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 782,969. It is the most populous county in the commonwealth.
Campbell County is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 93,076. Its county seats are Alexandria and Newport. The county was formed on December 17, 1794, from sections of Scott, Harrison, and Mason Counties and was named for Colonel John Campbell (1735–1799), a Revolutionary War soldier and Kentucky legislator. Campbell County, with Boone and Kenton Counties, is part of the Northern Kentucky metro community, and the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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.
Breckinridge County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,432. Its county seat is Hardinsburg, Kentucky. The county was named for John Breckinridge (1760–1806), a Kentucky Attorney General, state legislator, United States Senator, and United States Attorney General. It was the 38th Kentucky county in order of formation. Breckinridge County is now a wet county, following a local-option election on January 29, 2013, but it had been a dry county for the previous 105 years.
Posey County is the southernmost, southwesternmost, and westernmost county in the U.S. state of Indiana. Its southern border is formed by the Ohio River, and its western border by the Wabash River, a tributary to the Ohio. As of 2020, the population was 25,222. The county seat is Mount Vernon.
Gibson County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 33,011. The county seat is Princeton.
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 United States Census, it had a population of 17,244. Its county seat is Jonesboro. It is located in the southern portion of Illinois known locally as "Little Egypt".
Edgar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 16,866. Its county seat is Paris.
Paris is a home rule-class city in Bourbon County, Kentucky the county seat. It lies 18 miles (29 km) northeast of Lexington on the Stoner Fork of the Licking River. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2020, it had a population of 10,171.
Marion is a home rule-class city in Crittenden County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,039.
Morganfield is a home rule-class city in Union County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 3,285 as of the year 2010 U.S. census.
Uniontown is a home rule-class city in Union County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,002 at the 2010 census. The John T. Myers Locks and Dam, once known as Uniontown Locks and Dam, is located downriver 3½ miles.
The Cincinnati metropolitan area is a metropolitan area with its core in Ohio and Kentucky. Its largest city is Cincinnati and includes surrounding counties in the U.S. states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.