Pleasure Ridge Park, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Pleasure Ridge Park is a former census-designated place
in southwest Jefferson County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population was 26,212 at the 2010 census. In 2003, the area was annexed to the city of Louisville
due to a merger between the city and Jefferson County's unincorporated
communities
. Pleasure Ridge Park is now a neighborhood within the city limits of Louisville.
built a station in the area in 1874, and a summer resort and hotel called Paine Hotel developed around a shaded ridge on Muldraugh Hill
, what came to be called Pleasure Ridge. The name Pleasure Ridge Park was chosen for the first post office in the area in 1876. The area continued to be popular for tourism until World War I
.
By the 1950s, the area began expanding rapidly as subdivisions were built. People moving to the area liked its cheap land and location reasonably close to both Downtown Louisville
and Fort Knox
. Residents blocked a 1984 attempt by the troubled nearby city of Shively
to annex Pleasure Ridge Park.
The area is often referred to simply as PRP.
Pleasure Ridge Park High School
is located in the area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 21.5 km² (8.3 mi²), all land.
of 2000, there were 25,776 people, 10,290 households, and 7,347 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1,196.2/km² (3,096.6/mi²). There were 10,643 housing units at an average density of 493.9/km² (1,278.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.39% White, 3.84% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races
, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.
There were 10,290 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples
living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% 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 2.96.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,800 (2005), and the median income for a family was $53,296 (2005). Males had a median income of $35,263 versus $24,457 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $18,337. About 5.0% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. 8.7% of residents had a bachelor's degree or higher, 21.7% don't have a high school diploma.
suburb of Jeffersontown
, Pleasure Ridge Park will overtake Jeffersontown as the largest Louisville suburb on the Kentucky side of the river in the next few years (all of this pre-merger, of course). Although growth in Pleasure Ridge Park is fairly slow, the area has seen an increase in small-scale retail in the last few years. The first Starbucks opened in Pleasure Ridge Park in 2006 in the Dixie Manor Shopping Center. A new Super Wal-Mart opened as well in the city in March 2008 on the Greenbelt Highway. This shopping center also has a retail building built suited for several tenants. Since the completion of the Greenbelt, many subdivisions have been built along or near the belt to allow for easy access to I-264
and I-265
. A popular teen nightclub, the Electric Cowboy, also opened in 2007 near the corner of Dixie Highway and Greenwood Road. This club opened in a newly built retail center that houses several other tenants.
There have been an abundance of new jobs in the Riverport area near the Ohio River
. Many of these jobs have, of course, sprung up because of the UPS Worldport Expansion
at the airport. Most of these jobs are in warehousing
and logistics
, but still provide the area with new employment opportunities.
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...
in southwest Jefferson County
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 26,212 at the 2010 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...
due to 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...
. Pleasure Ridge Park is now a neighborhood within the city limits of Louisville.
History
It was first sparsely settled by French and German Catholics in the mid-19th century, and the first church, St. Andrew's Church, was built in 1851, and although it no longer exists, a major local road still bears its name. What is now the Paducah and Louisville RailwayPaducah and Louisville Railway
The Paducah & Louisville Railway is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky.The 270-mile line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August, 1986. The 223-mile main route runs between Paducah and Louisville with a branch line from...
built a station in the area in 1874, and a summer resort and hotel called Paine Hotel developed around a shaded ridge on Muldraugh Hill
Muldraugh Hill
Muldraugh Hill is an escarpment in central Kentucky separating the Bluegrass on the north and north-east from the Pennyrile on the south and south-west...
, what came to be called Pleasure Ridge. The name Pleasure Ridge Park was chosen for the first post office in the area in 1876. The area continued to be popular for tourism until World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
By the 1950s, the area began expanding rapidly as subdivisions were built. People moving to the area liked its cheap land and location reasonably close to both 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...
and Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
. Residents blocked a 1984 attempt by the troubled nearby city of Shively
Shively, Kentucky
Shively is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 15,157 at the 2000 census. It is located southwest of Louisville, Kentucky and directly adjoins the larger city. Shively is centered around the junction of US 60 and the Dixie Highway.-History:Shively was first...
to annex Pleasure Ridge Park.
The area is often referred to simply as PRP.
Pleasure Ridge Park High School
Pleasure Ridge Park High School
Pleasure Ridge Park High School is a High School located at 5901 Greenwood Road in the Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. It is part of the Jefferson County Public Schools district...
is located in the area.
Geography
Pleasure Ridge Park is located at 38°08′43"N 85°51′30"W (38.1454, -85.8583).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 21.5 km² (8.3 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 25,776 people, 10,290 households, and 7,347 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 1,196.2/km² (3,096.6/mi²). There were 10,643 housing units at an average density of 493.9/km² (1,278.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.39% White, 3.84% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% 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 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.90% of the population.
There were 10,290 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% 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, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% 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 2.96.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,800 (2005), and the median income for a family was $53,296 (2005). Males had a median income of $35,263 versus $24,457 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 $18,337. About 5.0% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. 8.7% of residents had a bachelor's degree or higher, 21.7% don't have a high school diploma.
Economy/Growth
If the positive growth trends of Pleasure Ridge Park keep pace with the negative growth trends in the LouisvilleLouisville, 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...
suburb of Jeffersontown
Jeffersontown, Kentucky
Jeffersontown is a city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. Before Louisville and Jefferson County were consolidated in 2003, it was the county's largest city outside of Louisville. The population was 26,633 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, Pleasure Ridge Park will overtake Jeffersontown as the largest Louisville suburb on the Kentucky side of the river in the next few years (all of this pre-merger, of course). Although growth in Pleasure Ridge Park is fairly slow, the area has seen an increase in small-scale retail in the last few years. The first Starbucks opened in Pleasure Ridge Park in 2006 in the Dixie Manor Shopping Center. A new Super Wal-Mart opened as well in the city in March 2008 on the Greenbelt Highway. This shopping center also has a retail building built suited for several tenants. Since the completion of the Greenbelt, many subdivisions have been built along or near the belt to allow for easy access to I-264
Interstate 264 (Kentucky)
The Henry Watterson Expressway, also known as the Georgia Davis Powers/Shawnee Expressway west of US 31W, is one of two Interstate Highways in the United States designated as Interstate 264 . It is 22.93 miles in length, and runs an open circle around central Louisville, Kentucky...
and I-265
Interstate 265
Interstate 265 is an Interstate Highway ringing the Louisville, Kentucky metropolitan area, which includes southern Indiana, although the Indiana and Kentucky segments remain separate at the present time. In Kentucky it only runs through Jefferson County, from Interstate 71 in northeastern...
. A popular teen nightclub, the Electric Cowboy, also opened in 2007 near the corner of Dixie Highway and Greenwood Road. This club opened in a newly built retail center that houses several other tenants.
There have been an abundance of new jobs in the Riverport area near the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. Many of these jobs have, of course, sprung up because of the UPS Worldport Expansion
Worldport (UPS air hub)
Worldport is the worldwide air hub for UPS located at the Louisville International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky. Although UPS has had a hub at Louisville since 1980, the term was not used officially by the company until 2002, after a $1 billion, five-year expansion...
at the airport. Most of these jobs are in warehousing
Warehouse
A warehouse is a commercial building for storage of goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial areas of cities and towns. They usually have loading docks to load and unload...
and logistics
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
, but still provide the area with new employment opportunities.
External links
- "New $10 million 18-acre apartment complex under way in South End" -- Business First April 8, 2011
- "Pleasure Ridge Park: It Began as a Playground for City Dwellers, but Pride Has Forged a History of Independence" — Article by Beverly Bartlett of The Courier-JournalThe Courier-JournalThe Courier-Journal, locally called "The C-J", is the main newspaper for the city of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. According to the 1999 Editor & Publisher International Yearbook, the paper is the 48th largest daily paper in the United States and the single largest in Kentucky.- Origins :The...