Rockcastle County, Kentucky

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.[1] Its county seat is Mt. Vernon.[2] The county was founded in 1810[3] and named for the Rockcastle River, which runs through it. The river, in turn, is named for its majestic rock cliffs. Rockcastle County is part of the Richmond–Berea, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Lexington-Fayette-Richmond-Frankfort, KY Combined Statistical Area.

Rockcastle County
County
Rockcastle County courthouse in Mount Vernon
Rockcastle County courthouse in Mount Vernon
Map of Kentucky highlighting Rockcastle 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°22′N 84°19′W
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1810
Named forRockcastle River
SeatMount Vernon
Largest cityMount Vernon
Area
 • Total318 sq mi (820 km2)
 • Land317 sq mi (820 km2)
 • Water1.6 sq mi (4 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,037
 • Estimate 
(2022)
16,242 Increase
 • Density50/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websiterockcastlecountyky.com

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 318 square miles (820 km2), of which 317 square miles (820 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,249—
18302,86527.4%
18403,40919.0%
18504,69737.8%
18605,34313.8%
18707,14533.7%
18809,67035.3%
18909,8411.8%
190012,41626.2%
191014,47316.6%
192015,4066.4%
193015,149−1.7%
194017,16513.3%
195013,925−18.9%
196012,334−11.4%
197012,305−0.2%
198013,97313.6%
199014,8035.9%
200016,58212.0%
201017,0562.9%
202016,037−6.0%
2022 (est.)16,242[5]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,582 people, 6,544 households, and 4,764 families residing in the county. The population density was 52 per square mile (20/km2). There were 7,353 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (8.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.81% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,544 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% 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 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $23,475 and the median income for a family was $30,278. Males had a median income of $26,770 versus $18,388 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,337. About 19.10% of families and 23.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.30% of those under age 18 and 21.60% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Rockcastle County has been a Republican stronghold since its founding. It has only voted for the Democratic presidential nominee four times, in 1868, 1872, 1876, and 1880. It has also never voted for a Democratic candidate from the county's founding in 1810 until 1868.

United States presidential election results for Rockcastle County, Kentucky[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,577 84.49% 1,134 14.57% 73 0.94%
2016 5,609 83.83% 915 13.68% 167 2.50%
2012 5,028 80.89% 1,097 17.65% 91 1.46%
2008 4,757 75.82% 1,410 22.47% 107 1.71%
2004 4,804 77.91% 1,320 21.41% 42 0.68%
2000 3,992 76.08% 1,174 22.37% 81 1.54%
1996 3,106 66.80% 1,160 24.95% 384 8.26%
1992 3,287 67.12% 1,144 23.36% 466 9.52%
1988 3,880 78.42% 1,041 21.04% 27 0.55%
1984 4,328 79.73% 1,089 20.06% 11 0.20%
1980 3,543 71.62% 1,345 27.19% 59 1.19%
1976 2,583 64.37% 1,408 35.09% 22 0.55%
1972 3,437 77.31% 968 21.77% 41 0.92%
1968 3,072 66.96% 868 18.92% 648 14.12%
1964 2,829 63.20% 1,631 36.44% 16 0.36%
1960 3,982 77.73% 1,141 22.27% 0 0.00%
1956 3,787 74.08% 1,313 25.68% 12 0.23%
1952 3,503 72.35% 1,326 27.39% 13 0.27%
1948 3,236 70.61% 1,309 28.56% 38 0.83%
1944 3,802 74.03% 1,327 25.84% 7 0.14%
1940 3,536 68.08% 1,652 31.81% 6 0.12%
1936 3,875 71.19% 1,568 28.81% 0 0.00%
1932 3,577 64.29% 1,976 35.51% 11 0.20%
1928 3,858 80.95% 908 19.05% 0 0.00%
1924 2,712 66.24% 1,277 31.19% 105 2.56%
1920 3,561 70.96% 1,438 28.66% 19 0.38%
1916 1,932 66.28% 968 33.21% 15 0.51%
1912 1,082 43.16% 859 34.26% 566 22.58%

Communities

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. "Rockcastle County". Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  5. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 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 19, 2014.
  10. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
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