Woodford County, Kentucky

Last updated

Woodford County
County
Woodford county courthouse kentucky.jpg
Woodford County courthouse in Versailles
Flag of Woodford County, Kentucky.png
Flag
Woodford County, Kentucky.png
Seal
Map of Kentucky highlighting Woodford County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky in United States.svg
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°02′N84°44′W / 38.04°N 84.74°W / 38.04; -84.74
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Kentucky.svg  Kentucky
FoundedNovember 12, 1788
Named for William Woodford
Seat Versailles
Largest cityVersailles
Area
 • Total192 sq mi (500 km2)
 • Land189 sq mi (490 km2)
 • Water3.3 sq mi (9 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total26,871
 • Estimate 
(2023)
27,268 Increase2.svg
 • Density140/sq mi (54/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 6th
Website woodfordcounty.ky.gov

Woodford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,871. [1] Its county seat is Versailles. [2] The area was home to Pisgah Academy. Woodford County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located in the center of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky.

Contents

History

The county was formed from a part of Fayette County, Virginia in 1788. [3] [4] It was named for William Woodford, an American Revolutionary War general from Virginia who died while a prisoner of war in 1780. [5] It was the last of the original nine counties established that formed the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1792. [6]

Scott County was formed from part of the county in 1792. Franklin County took another part of the county in 1794. [7]

Queen Elizabeth II stayed in Woodford County at Lane's End Farm in May 2007. [8] She also attended the Kentucky Derby in Louisville.

Pisgah Academy

Pisgah Academy was a school in Woodford County. It was established by Col. Alexander Dunlap. [9] The Library of Congress has photographs of the church and academy. [10]

The Kentucky Historical Society has a photograph of the school building. [11]

Geography

Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary, Woodford County, Kentucky Buckleyky.jpg
Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary, Woodford County, Kentucky

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 192 square miles (500 km2), of which 189 square miles (490 km2) is land and 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) (1.7%) is water. [12]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1790 9,210—
1800 6,624−28.1%
1810 9,65945.8%
1820 12,20726.4%
1830 12,2730.5%
1840 11,740−4.3%
1850 12,4235.8%
1860 11,219−9.7%
1870 8,240−26.6%
1880 11,80043.2%
1890 12,3804.9%
1900 13,1346.1%
1910 12,571−4.3%
1920 11,784−6.3%
1930 10,981−6.8%
1940 11,8477.9%
1950 11,212−5.4%
1960 11,9136.3%
1970 14,43421.2%
1980 17,77823.2%
1990 19,95512.2%
2000 23,20816.3%
2010 24,9397.5%
2020 26,8717.7%
2023 (est.)27,268 [13] 1.5%
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 23,208 people, 8,893 households, and 6,643 families residing in the county. The population density was 122 per square mile (47/km2). There were 9,374 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.08% White, 5.41% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.13% from other races, and 0.93% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,893 households, out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.30% were non-families. 21.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.40% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 25.10% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $49,491, and the median income for a family was $58,218. Males had a median income of $39,284 versus $27,972 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,839. About 5.20% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 13.10% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Tourism

Barrels of bourbon outside the Woodford Reserve Distillery Woodford Reserve Distillery-27527-7.jpg
Barrels of bourbon outside the Woodford Reserve Distillery

Woodford County is home to one of Kentucky's oldest bourbon whiskey distilleries, Labrot & Graham (established 1812, now owned by Brown–Forman, which produces the Woodford Reserve brand); the Life Adventure Center, an equine and outdoor experience to assist youth affected by trauma; [18] and the Kentucky Castle.

Education

Politics

Since 1956, Woodford County has generally voted Republican at the federal level. However, it sometimes votes for Democrats statewide, which it did for Andy Beshear in the 2019 and 2023 gubernatorial elections.

United States presidential election results for Woodford County, Kentucky [19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 8,41956.19%6,28241.92%2831.89%
2020 8,36254.97%6,53042.93%3192.10%
2016 7,69756.75%4,95836.56%9086.69%
2012 7,21958.54%4,88339.60%2301.87%
2008 7,13057.98%5,02740.88%1401.14%
2004 6,93760.31%4,48038.95%850.74%
2000 5,89058.10%3,99539.41%2522.49%
1996 4,27047.57%3,91043.56%7978.88%
1992 3,99245.75%3,16136.23%1,57218.02%
1988 4,51262.63%2,65336.83%390.54%
1984 4,74666.73%2,29032.20%761.07%
1980 3,10547.66%3,12247.92%2884.42%
1976 2,64648.42%2,68949.20%1302.38%
1972 3,36370.34%1,26826.52%1503.14%
1968 1,90142.51%1,64636.81%92520.68%
1964 1,21528.84%2,97470.59%240.57%
1960 2,22753.32%1,95046.68%00.00%
1956 2,17050.97%2,02747.62%601.41%
1952 1,84544.23%2,31955.60%70.17%
1948 1,22933.16%2,17558.69%3028.15%
1944 1,37438.79%2,15460.81%140.40%
1940 1,51436.47%2,63063.36%70.17%
1936 1,55837.65%2,57462.20%60.14%
1932 1,72034.97%3,18064.66%180.37%
1928 2,49054.71%2,05645.18%50.11%
1924 2,09145.69%2,47254.02%130.28%
1920 2,21840.02%3,29959.53%250.45%
1916 1,30041.85%1,78657.50%200.64%
1912 77927.87%1,56155.85%45516.28%

Notable residents

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

See also

Related Research Articles

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

McCracken County is a county located in the far west portion of U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,875. The county seat and only municipality is Paducah. McCracken County was the 78th county formed in the state, having been created in 1825. It is part of the historic Jackson Purchase, territory sold by the Chickasaw people to General Andrew Jackson and Governor Isaac Shelby; this territory was located at the extreme western end of Kentucky.

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

Howard County is located in the U.S. state of Missouri, with its southern border formed by the Missouri River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,151. Its county seat is Fayette.

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

Scott County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 57,155. Scott County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county seat and largest city is Georgetown.

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

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.

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

Mercer County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,772. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county was formed from Lincoln County, Virginia in 1785 and is named for Revolutionary War General Hugh Mercer, who was killed at the Battle of Princeton in 1777. It was formerly a prohibition or dry county.

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

Magoffin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,637. Its county seat is Salyersville. The county was formed in 1860 from adjacent portions of Floyd, Johnson, and Morgan Counties. It was named for Beriah Magoffin who was Governor of Kentucky (1859–62).

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

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.

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

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.

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

Kenton County is a county located in the northern part of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 169,064, making it the third most populous county in Kentucky. Its county seats are Covington and Independence. It was, until November 24, 2010, the only county in Kentucky to have two legally recognized county seats. The county was formed in 1840 and is named for Simon Kenton, a frontiersman notable in the early history of the state.

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

Jessamine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 52,991. Its county seat is Nicholasville. The county was founded in December 1798. Jessamine County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is within the Inner Blue Grass region, long a center of farming and blooded stock raising, including thoroughbred horses. The legislature established a commercial wine industry here in the late 18th century.

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

Henry County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky bordering the Kentucky River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,678. Its county seat is New Castle, but its largest city is Eminence. The county was founded in 1798 from portions of Shelby County. It was named for the statesman and governor of Virginia Patrick Henry. Henry County is included in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Since the 1990s, it has become an increasingly important exurb, especially as land prices have become higher in neighboring Oldham County. With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a wet county.

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

Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,095. Its county seat is in the city of Hawesville located in the Northern part of the county, and its largest city of Lewisport is located in the Northwestern part of the county.

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

Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 51,541, making it the 2nd least populous capital county in the United States after Hughes County, South Dakota. Its county seat is Frankfort, the state capital. The county was formed in 1795 from parts of Woodford, Mercer and Shelby counties, and was named after the American inventor and statesman Benjamin Franklin. Franklin County is part of the Frankfort, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area. It shares a name with Franklin County in Ohio, where Columbus is located. This makes it one of two pairs of capital cities in counties of the same name, along with Marion Counties in Oregon and Indiana.

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

Fayette County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky and is consolidated with the city of Lexington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 322,570, making it the second-most populous county in the commonwealth. Since 1974, its territory, population and government have been shared with Lexington. Fayette County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,972. Its county seat is Winchester. The county was created in 1792 from Bourbon and Fayette counties and is named for Revolutionary War hero George Rogers Clark. Clark County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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

Breathitt County is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,718. Its county seat is Jackson. The county was formed in 1839 and was named for John Breathitt, who was Governor of Kentucky from 1832 to 1834. Breathitt County was formerly a dry county, until a public vote in July 2016 passed, allowing alcohol sales.

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

Bourbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,252. Its county seat is Paris. Bourbon County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is one of Kentucky's nine original counties, and is best known for its historical association with bourbon whiskey.

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

Paris is a home rule-class city in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and 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.

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

Dixon is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Webster County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 933 at the 2020 census. Dixon is located at the junction of US 41A and KY 132. It was established with a courthouse and post office in 1860 when the county was formed.

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

Versailles is a home rule-class city in Woodford County, Kentucky, United States. It lies 13 miles by road west of Lexington and is part of the Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area. Versailles has a population of 10,534 according to 2024 census estimates. It is the county seat of Woodford County. The city's name is pronounced vər-SAYLZ, an anglicization different from the French pronunciation of the royal city of the same name near Paris.

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Collins, Lewis (1882). Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky: History of Kentucky, Volume 2. Collins & Company. p. 26.
  4. ↑ "Woodford County". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. 2000. p. 146. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  5. ↑ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp.  37.
  6. ↑ Railey, William E, "History of Woodford County, Kentucky," 1938, p 3
  7. ↑ Railey, William E, "History of Woodford County, Kentucky," 1938, p 4
  8. ↑ "Get to Know UWBG: Woodford County". www.uwbg.org. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  9. ↑ Railey, William E.; Railey, William Edward (1975). History of Woodford County, Kentucky. ISBN   9780806379999.
  10. ↑ "Pisgah Presbyterian Church & Academy, Pisgah-Georgetown Pike, Pisgah, Woodford County, KY". Library of Congress.
  11. ↑ "Pisgah Academy in Woodford County, KY. :: Visual Materials". www.kyhistory.com.
  12. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  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 20, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 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 20, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Life Adventure Center website" . Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  19. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  20. ↑ Capace, Nancy (January 1, 1999). Encyclopedia of Kentucky. Somerset Publishers, Inc. ISBN   9780403097401 – via Google Books.
  21. ↑ Rule, Lucien V. (December 9, 1927). "Forerunners of Lincoln in the Ohio Valley: With historic summaries". Press of Brandt & Fowler – via Google Books.
  22. 1 2 Congress, United States; Printing, United States Congress Joint Committee on (December 9, 1928). "Biographical Directory of the American Congress. 1774-1927: The Continental Congress, September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788 and the Congress of the United States from the First to the Sixty-ninth Congress, March 4, 1789, to March 3, 1927, Inclusive". U.S. Government Printing Office – via Google Books.
  23. ↑ Railey, William Edward (1938). History of Woodford County, Kentucky. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 91. ISBN   9780806379999 . Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  24. ↑ Kleber, John E. (1992). The Kentucky Encyclopedia. University Press of Kentucky. p. 179. ISBN   0813128838 . Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Ben Chandler is named director of Kentucky Humanities Council". Kentucky.com. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  26. ↑ Harrison, Lowell H. (January 13, 2015). Kentucky's Governors. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN   9780813159744 – via Google Books.
  27. ↑ Evans, Clement Anselm (1899). Johnston, J. S.; Kentucky. Moore, J. C.; Missouri. Confederate Publishing Company. p.  238 . Retrieved July 17, 2014. Charles W. Field woodford county ky.
  28. ↑ Railey, William Edward (1938). History of Woodford County, Kentucky. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 179. ISBN   9780806379999 . Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  29. ↑ "UK Football: Former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington says Mark Stoops' hire a good one for Cats - Central Kentucky News". Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  30. ↑ Railey, William Edward (1938). History of Woodford County, Kentucky. Genealogical Publishing Com. p. 276. ISBN   9780806379999 . Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  31. ↑ The Proceedings of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, vol. 64, pg. 97. 1904
  32. ↑ "TRIMBLE, William Allen, (1786 - 1821)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved July 16, 2014.

38°02′N84°44′W / 38.04°N 84.74°W / 38.04; -84.74

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.