Fern Creek, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Fern Creek is a historic community in southeastern Jefferson County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population was 20,009 at the 2008 census. In 2003, The area was annexed to the city of Louisville
as part of a merger between the city and Jefferson County's unincorporated
communities
. Fern Creek was formerly a census-designated place
. It is now considered a neighborhood
of Louisville
. It is located about 12 miles from Downtown Louisville
.
The oldest structure in the area is a log home dating to 1789. The earliest road through the area, Stage Road, connected Louisville to Bardstown, Kentucky
. This eventually became the Louisville and Bardstown Turnpike and finally, Bardstown Road. The community was initially known as Stringtown, but was called Fern Creek by the 1870s. Both Union and Confederate armies passed through the area during the American Civil War
. An interurban
railway line was connected in 1908. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds were located in the area just off Bardstown Road from 1900 to 1928. There is still a "Fairgrounds Road" at that location.
The area was agricultural for much of its history, but has been developed as a suburb
of Louisville since the 1960s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 15.0 km² (5.8 mi²), all land.
of 2000, there were 17,870 people, 6,652 households, and 5,095 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1,187.5/km² (3,075.6/mi²). There were 7,011 housing units at an average density of 465.9/km² (1,206.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.92% White, 7.81% Black or African American
, 0.14% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races
, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.06% of the population.
There were 6,652 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,688, and the median income for a family was $60,008. Males had a median income of $41,745 versus $29,099 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $22,190. About 3.6% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over. 20.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher, 11% don't have a high school degree.
Jefferson County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 305,835 housing units at an average density 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 20,009 at the 2008 census. In 2003, The area was annexed to the city of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
as part of a merger between the city and Jefferson County's unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
communities
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
. Fern Creek was formerly a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
. It is now considered a neighborhood
Neighbourhood
A neighbourhood or neighborhood is a geographically localised community within a larger city, town or suburb. Neighbourhoods are often social communities with considerable face-to-face interaction among members. "Researchers have not agreed on an exact definition...
of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. It is located about 12 miles from Downtown Louisville
Downtown Louisville
Downtown Louisville is the largest central business district in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the urban hub of the Louisville, Kentucky Metropolitan Area. Its boundaries are the Ohio River to the north, Hancock Street to the east, York and Jacob Streets to the south, and 9th Street to the west...
.
The oldest structure in the area is a log home dating to 1789. The earliest road through the area, Stage Road, connected Louisville to Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
. This eventually became the Louisville and Bardstown Turnpike and finally, Bardstown Road. The community was initially known as Stringtown, but was called Fern Creek by the 1870s. Both Union and Confederate armies passed through the area during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. An interurban
Interurban
An interurban, also called a radial railway in parts of Canada, is a type of electric passenger railroad; in short a hybrid between tram and train. Interurbans enjoyed widespread popularity in the first three decades of the twentieth century in North America. Until the early 1920s, most roads were...
railway line was connected in 1908. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds were located in the area just off Bardstown Road from 1900 to 1928. There is still a "Fairgrounds Road" at that location.
The area was agricultural for much of its history, but has been developed as a suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
of Louisville since the 1960s.
Geography
Fern Creek is located at 38°09′35"N 85°35′16"W (38.1598, -85.5877).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 15.0 km² (5.8 mi²), all land.
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 17,870 people, 6,652 households, and 5,095 families residing in the CDP. 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 1,187.5/km² (3,075.6/mi²). There were 7,011 housing units at an average density of 465.9/km² (1,206.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 87.92% White, 7.81% Black 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...
, 0.14% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.98% 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 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.06% of the population.
There were 6,652 households out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% 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, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,688, and the median income for a family was $60,008. Males had a median income of $41,745 versus $29,099 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 CDP was $22,190. About 3.6% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 2.5% of those age 65 or over. 20.5% have a bachelor's degree or higher, 11% don't have a high school degree.
Notable people
- Marvin HartMarvin HartMarvin Hart was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion from July 3, 1905 to February 23, 1906.- Career :...
, boxing champion - Chilton PriceChilton PriceChilton Price was a songwriter, primarily known for country music songs which became pop music hits as well....
, songwriter - Mario UrrutiaMario UrrutiaMario Urrutia, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, NFL football player