Breckinridge County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
As of the census
of 2000, there were 18,648 people, 7,324 households, and 5,309 families residing in the county. The population density
was 33 /sqmi. There were 9,890 housing units at an average density of 17 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.84% White
, 2.86% Black
or African American
, 0.23% Native American
, 0.08% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.09% from other races
, and 0.90% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 7,324 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples
living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,554, and the median income for a family was $36,575. Males had a median income of $31,004 versus $19,371 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $15,402. About 11.80% of families and 15.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 18,648 people, 7,324 households, and 5,309 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 33 /sqmi. There were 9,890 housing units at an average density of 17 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.84% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.86% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.23% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.09% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.90% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 7,324 households out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,554, and the median income for a family was $36,575. Males had a median income of $31,004 versus $19,371 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $15,402. About 11.80% of families and 15.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- CloverportCloverport, KentuckyCloverport is a city in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States, on the banks of the Ohio River. The population was 1,256 at the 2000 census. Under Kentucky state law, it is a fifth class city.-History:...
- HardinsburgHardinsburg, KentuckyHardinsburg is a city in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,345 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Breckinridge County. By Kentucky state law, it is classified as a fifth class city...
- IrvingtonIrvington, KentuckyIrvington is a city in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,257 at the 2000 census. Founded in 1888, railroad engineer Eugene Cornwall named the city for his hometown of Irvington, New York.-Geography:...
- McDaniels
- McQuady
- Webster
- Harned
- Custer
- Hites Run
Schools
Breckinridge County has two school districts:- Breckinridge County Public Schools
- Cloverport Independent SchoolsCloverport Independent SchoolsCloverport Independent Schools is a school district serving Cloverport, Kentucky and surrounding areas of far western Breckinridge County. The superintendent is Dr. John Millay. This district is one of the few remaining Independent districts in Kentucky that has not consolidated. The school...
Notable natives
- Joseph HoltJoseph HoltGeneral Joseph Holt was a leading member of the Buchanan administration and was Judge Advocate General of the United States Army, most notably during the Lincoln assassination trials.-Early life:...
, presiding judge at the trial of the Lincoln conspirators, was born and raised in Holt, Kentucky. Holt served in five major federal posts, Judge Advocate General of the United States Army, Attorney GeneralUnited States Attorney GeneralThe United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
, Secretary of WarUnited States Secretary of WarThe Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
, Commissioner of Patents, and Postmaster GeneralUnited States Postmaster GeneralThe United States Postmaster General is the Chief Executive Officer of the United States Postal Service. The office, in one form or another, is older than both the United States Constitution and the United States Declaration of Independence...
. - Union General John Alexander McClernandJohn Alexander McClernandJohn Alexander McClernand was an American lawyer and politician, and a Union general in the American Civil War. He was a classic case of the politician-in-uniform coming into conflict with career Army officers, graduates of the United States Military Academy. He was a prominent Democratic...
was born in this county in 1812. - NBA player and coach Butch BeardButch BeardAlfred "Butch" Beard Jr. is a former National Basketball Association player and head coach. He was the head coach at Morgan State University until he stepped down in March 2006. Butch Beard played college basketball at the University of Louisville...
was born in Hardinsburg in 1947. - Former United States Supreme Court Justice Wiley Blount RutledgeWiley Blount RutledgeWiley Blount Rutledge, Jr. was an American educator, lawyer, and justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.-Early life:...
was born at Tar Springs in 1894. - G.W. Swink, businessman, active in National Irrigation Congress
Library
Breckinridge County Public Library is located at 112 South Main Street in Hardinsburg, Kentucky. The library is open Monday from 8:30-7:30, Tuesday through Friday from 8:30-4:30, and Saturday from 8:30-12:30 Central Standard Time.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Breckinridge County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Breckinridge County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Breckinridge County, Kentucky.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States...