Calloway County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Calloway County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. It was formed in 1823. As of 2010, the population was 37,191. Its county seat
is Murray, Kentucky
. The county is named for Colonel
Richard Callaway
, one of the founders of Boonesborough
. It was created on November 3, 1822, from Hickman County.
Calloway County is a limited dry county
, meaning that sale of alcohol in the county is prohibited except by the drink in restaurants seating at least 100 diners in Murray
and at the Murray Golf Course.
Calloway County is home to two school systems, the Murray Independent School District and the Calloway County School District.
of 2000, there were 34,177 people, 13,862 households, and 8,594 families residing in the county. The population density
was 88 /sqmi. There were 16,069 housing units at an average density of 42 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 93.48% White
, 3.56% Black
or African American
, 0.20% Native American
, 1.33% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.46% from other races
, and 0.93% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 13,862 households out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% were married couples
living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.00% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.79.
The age distribution was 18.70% under the age of 18, 19.80% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. The relatively large 18-to-24 population is mostly due to the presence of Murray State University
. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,134, and the median income for a family was $39,914. Males had a median income of $31,184 versus $22,046 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,566. About 9.80% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.70% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. It was formed in 1823. As of 2010, the population was 37,191. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Murray, Kentucky
Murray, Kentucky
Murray is a city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 17,741 at the 2010 census and has a micropolitan area population of 37,191. It is the 22nd largest city in Kentucky...
. The county is named for Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Richard Callaway
Richard Callaway
Richard Callaway was an early settler of Kentucky. Born in Caroline County, Virginia, Callaway joined Daniel Boone in 1775 in marking the Wilderness Road into central Kentucky, becoming one of the founders of Boonesborough, Kentucky...
, one of the founders of Boonesborough
Boonesborough, Kentucky
Boonesborough is an unincorporated community in Madison County, Kentucky, United States. It lies in the central part of the state along the Kentucky River. Boonesborough is part of the Richmond–Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. It was created on November 3, 1822, from Hickman County.
Calloway County is a limited dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
, meaning that sale of alcohol in the county is prohibited except by the drink in restaurants seating at least 100 diners in Murray
Murray, Kentucky
Murray is a city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 17,741 at the 2010 census and has a micropolitan area population of 37,191. It is the 22nd largest city in Kentucky...
and at the Murray Golf Course.
Calloway County is home to two school systems, the Murray Independent School District and the Calloway County School District.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 410.79 square miles (1,063.9 km²), of which 386.25 square miles (1,000.4 km²) (or 94.03%) is land and 24.53 square miles (63.5 km²) (or 5.97%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Marshall CountyMarshall County, KentuckyMarshall County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 30,125. The 2007 Census Bureau population estimate was 31,258. Its county seat is Benton. It was a dry county until 2004, when residents of Calvert City voted to allow sales of liquor by the drink in...
(north) - Trigg CountyTrigg County, KentuckyTrigg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1820. As of 2000, the population was 12,597. Its county seat is Cadiz. The county is named for Stephen Trigg, a frontier officer in the American Revolutionary War who died in the Battle of Blue Licks...
(northeast) - Stewart County, Tennessee (southeast)
- Henry County, Tennessee (south)
- Graves CountyGraves County, KentuckyGraves County is a county located in the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was formed in 1824. As of 2000, the population was 37,028. Its county seat is Mayfield. The county is named for Major Benjamin Franklin Graves, soldier in the War of 1812...
(west)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 34,177 people, 13,862 households, and 8,594 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 88 /sqmi. There were 16,069 housing units at an average density of 42 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 93.48% 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...
, 3.56% 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...
, 0.20% 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...
, 1.33% 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...
, 0.03% 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...
, 0.46% 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 0.93% from two or more races. 1.38% 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 13,862 households out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.00% 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, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.00% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.79.
The age distribution was 18.70% under the age of 18, 19.80% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. The relatively large 18-to-24 population is mostly due to the presence of Murray State University
Murray State University
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,134, and the median income for a family was $39,914. Males had a median income of $31,184 versus $22,046 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 $16,566. About 9.80% of families and 16.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.70% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.
Micropolitan Area
According to the 2000 census, the Murray Micropolitan Statistical Area is composed of Calloway County. A micropolitan area is one that is too small to be a metropolitan area, but has a central city of at least 10,000 people.Cities and towns
- Almo
- Coldwater
- Crossland
- Dexter
- Elm Grove
- Faxon
- Harris Grove
- HazelHazel, KentuckyHazel is a city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 440 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hazel is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
- Kirksey
- Lynn Grove
- Midway
- MurrayMurray, KentuckyMurray is a city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 17,741 at the 2010 census and has a micropolitan area population of 37,191. It is the 22nd largest city in Kentucky...
- New Concord
- Stella
- Wiswell
- Shiloh
Notable Calloway Countians
- John R. Alford Founder of Hico, TexasHico, TexasHico is a small city located in Hamilton County in Central Texas. The population was 1,341 at the 2000 census. The town motto is "Where Everybody Is Somebody!" The county seat is Hamilton some twenty miles to the south on United States Highway 281....
, which he named for Hico, Calloway County, Kentucky - W. Earl BrownW. Earl BrownW. Earl Brown is an American character actor who has appeared in many mainstream film and television projects. He is perhaps best known as Dan Dority on the HBO series Deadwood...
Actor/Musician - T.R.M. Howard Surgeon, civil rights leader, and entrepreneur
- Joe StatonJoe StatonJoe Staton is an American illustrator and writer of comic books.-Career:Staton started his work with Charlton Comics in 1971 and gained notability as the artist of the super-hero book E-Man...
Cartoonist - Frank StubblefieldFrank StubblefieldFrank Albert Stubblefield , a Democrat, represented Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives.Stubblefield was born and schooled in Kentucky and attended the University of Arizona for one year in 1927...
Politician - Nathan StubblefieldNathan StubblefieldNathan B. Stubblefield was an American inventor and Kentucky melon farmer. It has been claimed that Stubblefield invented the radio before either Nikola Tesla or Guglielmo Marconi, but his devices seem to have worked by audio frequency induction or, later, audio frequency earth conduction rather...
Inventor - Harry Lee WaterfieldHarry Lee WaterfieldHarry Lee Waterfield , a Democrat, served twice as Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky and unsuccessfully sought election as Governor of Kentucky....
Politician - Molly SimsMolly SimsMolly Sims is an American model and actress. Sims is known for her appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues and her role as Delinda Deline in the NBC drama Las Vegas. She is also an ambassador for Operation Smile...
Actress/Model - Cleanth BrooksCleanth BrooksCleanth Brooks was an influential American literary critic and professor. He is best known for his contributions to New Criticism in the mid-twentieth century and for revolutionizing the teaching of poetry in American higher education...
Professor, literary critic - Stan Key University of KentuckyUniversity of KentuckyThe University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
basketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and current alumni director - David KennedyDavid KennedyDavid Anthony Kennedy was the fourth of eleven children of Robert F. Kennedy and Ethel Skakel Kennedy.-Life:...
Retired Special Forces, Green Beret, War Hero - Mel PurcellMel PurcellMel Purcell is a former World No. 17 tennis player in the ATP tennis rankings. He is the head coach of the Murray State University men's tennis team...
Professional Tennis Player - Martha R. Ellison, founder of The Brown SchoolThe Brown SchoolThe J. Graham Brown School, or The Brown School as it's usually called, is a small public school located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, USA. It has approximately 700 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and attracts students from all over Louisville. It is a part of the Jefferson...
and teacher of Pulitzer-winning playwright Marsha NormanMarsha NormanMarsha Norman is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. She received the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play night, Mother...
. - Jackie De Shannon 1960s singer-songerwriter
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Calloway County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Calloway County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Calloway County, Kentucky. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States...