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Union County, Kentucky
Union County Courthouse Kentucky
Union County Courthouse
Map of Kentucky highlighting Union County
Location in the state of Kentucky
Map of the U.S
Kentucky's location in the U.S.
Founded January 15, 1811
Seat Morganfield
Largest city Morganfield
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

363.38 sq mi (941 km²)
342.85 sq mi (888 km²)
20.53 sq mi (53 km²), 5.6
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density


Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.unioncountyky.org

Union County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 13,668.[1] Its county seat is Morganfield.[2] The county was created effective January 15, 1811.

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 12 October 1996, to honor retired Indiana congressman John T. Myers.[5]

According to the US 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[]

  • US 60 U.S. Route 60
  • Elongated circle 56 KY 56
  • Elongated circle 109 KY 109

Cities[]

  • Morganfield
  • Sturgis
  • Uniontown
  • Waverly

Census-designated places[]

  • Breckinridge Center

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Bordley
  • Boxville[10]
  • Caseyville
  • Cullen
  • Curlew
  • Dekoven
  • Grangertown[11]
  • Grove Center[12]
  • Henshaw[13]
  • Pride[14]
  • Spring Grove[15]
  • Sullivan
  • The Rocks[16]

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1820 3,470
1830 4,764 37.3%
1840 6,673 40.1%
1850 9,012 35.1%
1860 12,791 41.9%
1870 13,640 6.6%
1880 17,809 30.6%
1890 18,229 2.4%
1900 21,326 17.0%
1910 19,886 −6.8%
1920 18,040 −9.3%
1930 17,053 −5.5%
1940 17,411 2.1%
1950 14,893 −14.5%
1960 14,537 −2.4%
1970 15,882 9.3%
1980 17,821 12.2%
1990 16,557 −7.1%
2000 15,637 −5.6%
2010 15,007 −4.0%
US Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2020[21]

2010 census[]

As of the 2010 Census, 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[22]

2000 census[]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[23] 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[24]
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%
1908 1,312 30.88% 2,781 65.45% 156 3.67%
1904 1,071 28.67% 2,533 67.80% 132 3.53%
1900 1,437 31.23% 3,104 67.46% 60 1.30%
1896 1,249 27.55% 3,183 70.22% 101 2.23%
1892 777 22.87% 2,275 66.95% 346 10.18%
1888 955 29.37% 2,244 69.00% 53 1.63%
1884 626 24.47% 1,863 72.83% 69 2.70%
1880 514 18.60% 1,931 69.86% 319 11.54%



Notable people[]

  • Ben M. Bogard, lived as a child in Union County; became a Baptist minister and was involved with the Landmarkism Movement.
  • Dwane Casey, longtime NBA head coach, currently the head coach of the Detroit Pistons.
  • Ormsby M. Mitchel, astronomer and major general during the American Civil War
  • Isaiah L. Potts (1784?-after 1843), tavern keeper of the notorious Potts Tavern who, allegedly, ran a gang of highwaymen and murderers on the Illinois frontier
  • William L. O'Daniel (1923−2017), a Union County farmer who served in the Illinois General Assembly

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, Kentucky

References[]

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Union County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. https://data.census.gov/profile/Union_County,_Kentucky?g=0500000US21225. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ Union County KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  4. ^ Union County High Point, Kentucky (PeakBagger.com, accessed 13 October 2020)
  5. ^ "Myers Dam". Locks and Dams Project Office, US Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/opl/article.asp?id=83. 
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt. 
  7. ^ Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  8. ^ "Higginson-Henry Wildlife Management Area". Kentucky Div of Fish & Wildlife Resources. https://app.fw.ky.gov/Public_Lands_Search/detail.aspx?Kdfwr_id=132. 
  9. ^ Moffit Recreation Area (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  10. ^ Boxville KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  11. ^ Grangertown KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  12. ^ Grove Center KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  13. ^ Henshaw KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  14. ^ Pride KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  15. ^ Spring Grove KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  16. ^ The Rocks KY (Google Maps, accessed 13 October 2020)
  17. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  19. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt. 
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  21. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21225.html. 
  22. ^ "2010 Census Population of Union County, Kentucky - CensusViewer". http://censusviewer.com/county/ky/union/2010. 
  23. ^ "US Census website". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  24. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 

External links[]

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Coordinates: 37°40′N 87°57′W / 37.66, -87.95


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Union County, Kentucky. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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