LaRue County, Kentucky

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.[1] Its county seat is Hodgenville,[2] 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.[3][4] 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.

LaRue County
County
LaRue County courthouse in Hodgenville in 2022
LaRue County courthouse in Hodgenville in 2022
Map of Kentucky highlighting LaRue County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°34′36″N 85°41′12″W
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1843
Named forJohn LaRue
SeatHodgenville
Largest cityHodgenville
Area
 • Total264 sq mi (680 km2)
 • Land262 sq mi (680 km2)
 • Water2.1 sq mi (5 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,867
 • Estimate 
(2022)
15,163 Increase
 • Density56/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.laruecounty.org

Geography

The low rolling hills of LaRue County have been largely cleared and devoted to agriculture or urban development, with only the drainages of the eastern portions still wooded.[5] The highest point (1,100 feet (340 meters) ASL) is a small hill near its border with Taylor County.[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 264 square miles (680 km2), of which 262 square miles (680 km2) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) (0.8%) is water.[7]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18505,859—
18606,89117.6%
18708,23519.5%
18809,79318.9%
18909,433−3.7%
190010,76414.1%
191010,701−0.6%
192010,004−6.5%
19309,093−9.1%
19409,6225.8%
19509,9563.5%
196010,3463.9%
197010,6723.2%
198011,92211.7%
199011,679−2.0%
200013,37314.5%
201014,1936.1%
202014,8674.7%
2022 (est.)15,163[8]2.0%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,373 people, 5,275 households, and 3,866 families in the county. The population density was 51 inhabitants per square mile (20/km2). There were 5,860 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.65% White, 3.54% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 1.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,275 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.20% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 23.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94.

The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,056, and the median income for a family was $37,786. Males had a median income of $30,907 versus $20,091 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,865. 15.40% of the population and 12.60% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 18.90% are under the age of 18 and 16.40% are 65 or older.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Churches
  • Hodgenville Pentecostal Church (HPC)
  • Hodgenville United Methodist Church
  • Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church
  • LaRue Baptist Church, an Independent Baptist church
  • Victory Baptist Church
  • First Baptist Church of Hodgenville (relocated from Downtown Hodgenville to near Lincoln Parkway on the edge of the city limits.)
  • First Baptist Church on Lincoln Blvd, Hodgenville
  • Buffalo Baptist Church, Buffalo
  • Mt. Tabor Baptist Church
  • Union Christian Church
  • Magnolia Baptist Church
  • Roanoke House of Prayer
  • Lane Lincoln Baptist Church
  • Athertonville Baptist Church
  • Oakhill Baptist Church
  • South Fork Baptist Church
  • Wesley Meadows United Methodist Church
  • Levelwoods United Methodist Church
  • Parkway Baptist Church
  • Steadfast Baptist Church

Lincoln Days

The county sponsors the annual Lincoln Days celebration on the first full weekend of October, Friday through Sunday. Highlights include the Lincoln Look-A-Like contests, rail-splitting competitions, a parade, shopping booths and concerts by local talent (mostly country, bluegrass and Southern gospel).

Politics

LaRue County has leaned heavily Republican in presidential elections since the turn of the century. Three-quarters of the county's overall vote went to Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

United States presidential election results for LaRue County, Kentucky[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 5,685 77.87% 1,504 20.60% 112 1.53%
2016 4,799 75.37% 1,278 20.07% 290 4.55%
2012 3,911 67.85% 1,733 30.07% 120 2.08%
2008 4,153 67.22% 1,913 30.96% 112 1.81%
2004 4,111 68.88% 1,823 30.55% 34 0.57%
2000 3,384 65.34% 1,727 33.35% 68 1.31%
1996 2,140 45.94% 2,040 43.80% 478 10.26%
1992 2,154 43.69% 2,190 44.42% 586 11.89%
1988 2,590 58.56% 1,822 41.19% 11 0.25%
1984 2,873 65.30% 1,514 34.41% 13 0.30%
1980 2,000 47.07% 2,183 51.38% 66 1.55%
1976 1,409 38.55% 2,207 60.38% 39 1.07%
1972 2,449 61.53% 1,483 37.26% 48 1.21%
1968 1,862 47.78% 1,251 32.10% 784 20.12%
1964 1,195 30.20% 2,742 69.29% 20 0.51%
1960 2,668 60.90% 1,713 39.10% 0 0.00%
1956 2,387 56.05% 1,859 43.65% 13 0.31%
1952 2,161 55.96% 1,701 44.04% 0 0.00%
1948 1,277 39.04% 1,864 56.99% 130 3.97%
1944 1,550 42.57% 2,065 56.72% 26 0.71%
1940 1,309 34.62% 2,463 65.14% 9 0.24%
1936 1,151 33.20% 2,305 66.48% 11 0.32%
1932 1,235 31.67% 2,650 67.97% 14 0.36%
1928 1,892 52.19% 1,727 47.64% 6 0.17%
1924 1,372 40.42% 1,993 58.72% 29 0.85%
1920 1,838 43.65% 2,361 56.07% 12 0.28%
1916 936 40.71% 1,350 58.72% 13 0.57%
1912 390 17.37% 1,265 56.35% 590 26.28%

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. E., Kleber, John; Kentucky, University Press of; Policy, Institute for Regional Analysis and Public; Library, Camden-Carroll; University, Morehead State (2000). "The Kentucky Encyclopedia". www.kyenc.org. Retrieved July 3, 2018. {{cite web}}: |last3= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Vol. 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 35.
  5. LaRue County KY (Google Maps, accessed October 10, 2020)
  6. LaRue County High Point, Kentucky (PeakBagger.com, accessed October 10, 2020)
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  8. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  13. Gleanings KY (Google Maps, accessed October 10, 2020)
  14. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 3, 2018.

37°34′36″N 85°41′12″W

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