Union County, Kentucky

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.

Not to be confused with Union, Kentucky.

Union County
County
Union County Courthouse
Union County Courthouse
Map of Kentucky highlighting Union 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°40′N 87°57′W
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedJanuary 15, 1811
SeatMorganfield
Largest cityMorganfield
Area
 • Total363.38 sq mi (941.1 km2)
 • Land342.85 sq mi (888.0 km2)
 • Water20.53 sq mi (53.2 km2)  5.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total13,668
 • Estimate 
(2022)
12,961 Decrease
 • Density38/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.unioncountyky.org

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.

Geography

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.

Adjacent counties

Protected areas
  • Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area[7] (state)[8]
  • Moffit Lake Recreation Area (county)[9]

Highways

Cities

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18203,470—
18304,76437.3%
18406,67340.1%
18509,01235.1%
186012,79141.9%
187013,6406.6%
188017,80930.6%
189018,2292.4%
190021,32617.0%
191019,886−6.8%
192018,040−9.3%
193017,053−5.5%
194017,4112.1%
195014,893−14.5%
196014,537−2.4%
197015,8829.3%
198017,82112.2%
199016,557−7.1%
200015,637−5.6%
201015,007−4.0%
202013,668−8.9%
2022 (est.)12,961[17]−5.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20]
1990-2000[21] 2010-2020[1]

2010 census

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.

2000 census

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.

Education

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.

Libraries

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:

  • Time for Tots is a range of activities including music, dancing, crafts, stories, and more. For ages 6 months to 5 years;
  • Blox’ N Bots is a hands-on robotic experience for grades K-5;
  • Between You and Me is a program for middle and high school students and an adult family member. Which includes crafts, games, and activities.

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

Politics

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.

United States presidential election results for Union County, Kentucky[22]
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%

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Union County KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  4. Union County High Point, Kentucky (PeakBagger.com, accessed October 13, 2020)
  5. "Myers Dam". Locks and Dams Project Office, US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  7. Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  8. "Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area". Kentucky Div of Fish & Wildlife Resources. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  9. Moffit Recreation Area (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  10. Boxville KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  11. Grangertown KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  12. Grove Center KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  13. Henshaw KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  14. Pride KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  15. Spring Grove KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  16. The Rocks KY (Google Maps, accessed October 13, 2020)
  17. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  18. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  19. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  20. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  21. "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 20, 2014.
  22. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
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