LaRue County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
LaRue County
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LaRue County courthouse in Hodgenville
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Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
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 Kentucky's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 4 June 2014 (created) |
| Named for | John LaRue |
| Seat | Hodgenville |
| Largest city | Hodgenville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 264 sq mi (680 km2) |
| • Land | 262 sq mi (680 km2) |
| • Water | 2.1 sq mi (5 km2) 0.8% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,867  |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
LaRue County is a county in the central region of the U.S. state of Kentucky, outside the Bluegrass Region and larger population centers. Its county seat is Hodgenville, which is best known as the birthplace of United States President Abraham Lincoln. The county was formed 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 prohibition or dry county.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. 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.
Adjacent counties
- Nelson County (northeast)
- Marion County (east)
- Taylor County (southeast)
- Green County (south/CST Border)
- Hart County (southwest/CST Border)
- Hardin County (northwest)
National protected area
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 5,859 | — | |
| 1860 | 6,891 | 17.6% | |
| 1870 | 8,235 | 19.5% | |
| 1880 | 9,793 | 18.9% | |
| 1890 | 9,433 | −3.7% | |
| 1900 | 10,764 | 14.1% | |
| 1910 | 10,701 | −0.6% | |
| 1920 | 10,004 | −6.5% | |
| 1930 | 9,093 | −9.1% | |
| 1940 | 9,622 | 5.8% | |
| 1950 | 9,956 | 3.5% | |
| 1960 | 10,346 | 3.9% | |
| 1970 | 10,672 | 3.2% | |
| 1980 | 11,922 | 11.7% | |
| 1990 | 11,679 | −2.0% | |
| 2000 | 13,373 | 14.5% | |
| 2010 | 14,193 | 6.1% | |
| 2015 (est.) | 14,241 | 0.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 13,373 people, 5,275 households, and 3,866 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile (20/km²). There were 5,860 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (9/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.
In the county, the population was spread out with 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
- Hodgenville (county seat)
- Upton - (partly in Hardin County)
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated places
Lincoln Days
The county sponsors the annual Lincoln Days celebration, which takes place on the first full weekend of each October. The festival is Friday through Sunday. Highlights include the Lincoln Look-A-Like contests, rail-splitting competitions, a parade at noon on Saturday, shopping booths and concerts by local talent (mostly country, bluegrass and Southern gospel).
See also
In Spanish: Condado de LaRue para niños
