Rowan County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Rowan County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. As of 2010, the population was 23,333. Its county seat
is Morehead
. The county was created in 1856 from adjacent counties originally part of Mason county, and named for John Rowan, who represented Kentucky in the U.S. House
and Senate
.
With regard to the sale of alcohol
, it is classified as a moist county
—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited (a dry county
), but containing a "wet" city, in this case Morehead, where package alcohol sales are allowed.
of 2010, there were 23,333 people, and 7,956 households residing in the county. The population density
was 83.4 /sqmi. There were 10,102 housing units at an average density of 34 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% White
, 1.5% Black
or African American
, 0.1% Native American
, 0.8% Asian
, 0% Pacific Islander
, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.3% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 7,956 households out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples
living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 20.30% under the age of 18, 23.50% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. Both the unusually large portion of the population in the 18-to-24 range and the relatively low median age are mainly because of the presence of Morehead State University
. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,081. Males had a median income of $26,777 versus $20,104 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $13,888. About 15.90% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 16.20% 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...
. As of 2010, the population was 23,333. 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 Morehead
Morehead, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,845 people, households, and families residing in the city. The population density was 726.2 people per square mile. There were 2,356 housing units at an average density of 253.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 3.2% African...
. The county was created in 1856 from adjacent counties originally part of Mason county, and named for John Rowan, who represented Kentucky in the U.S. House
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
With regard to the sale of alcohol
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
, it is classified as a moist county
Moist county
In the United States, a moist county is a county on the "middle ground" between a dry county and a wet county . The term is typically used as a generalization for a county that allows alcohol to be sold in certain situations, but has limitations on alcohol sales that a normal wet county wouldn't...
—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited (a 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...
), but containing a "wet" city, in this case Morehead, where package alcohol sales are allowed.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 286.25 square miles (741.4 km²), of which 280.82 square miles (727.3 km²) (or 98.10%) is land and 5.43 square miles (14.1 km²) (or 1.90%) is water. Its highest point is "Limestone Knob" at about 1409 feet (429.5 m) above mean sea level.Adjacent counties
- Lewis CountyLewis County, KentuckyLewis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 14,092. Its county seat is Vanceburg. The county is named for Meriwether Lewis.Lewis County is part of the Maysville Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(north) - Carter CountyCarter County, KentuckyCarter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1838 and was named for William Grayson Carter, a state senator at the time of its creation. The county seat is named for his uncle, Robert Grayson. As of 2000, the population was 26,889. Its county seat is Grayson,...
(northeast) - Elliott CountyElliott County, KentuckyElliott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1869. As of 2000, the population is 6,748. Its county seat is Sandy Hook, Kentucky. The county is named for John Milton Elliott, U.S. Congressman; Confederate Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals...
(east) - Morgan CountyMorgan County, KentuckyMorgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 13,948. Its county seat is West Liberty. The county is among the dry counties, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or prohibited.- Geography :...
(south) - Menifee CountyMenifee County, KentuckyMenifee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 6,556. Its county seat is Frenchburg. The county is named for Richard Hickman Menefee, U.S. Congressman, although the spelling has changed. It is a prohibition or dry county.Menifee County is located...
(southwest) - Bath CountyBath County, KentuckyBath County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1811. As of 2010 the population is 11,591. Its county seat is Owingsville, Kentucky...
(west) - Fleming CountyFleming County, KentuckyFleming County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1798. As of 2000, the population was 13,792. Its county seat is Flemingsburg. The county is named for Colonel John Fleming. It's a prohibition or dry county...
(northwest)
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 2010, there were 23,333 people, and 7,956 households 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 83.4 /sqmi. There were 10,102 housing units at an average density of 34 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 96.1% 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...
, 1.5% 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...
, 0.1% 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...
, 0.8% 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% 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...
, and 1.0% from two or more races. 1.3% 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 7,956 households out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% 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, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
The age distribution was 20.30% under the age of 18, 23.50% from 18 to 24, 25.90% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. Both the unusually large portion of the population in the 18-to-24 range and the relatively low median age are mainly because of the presence of Morehead State University
Morehead State University
Morehead State University is a public, co-educational university located in Morehead, Kentucky, United States in the foothills of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rowan County, midway between Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. The 2012 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S...
. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,081. Males had a median income of $26,777 versus $20,104 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 $13,888. About 15.90% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.80% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- Lakeview HeightsLakeview Heights, KentuckyAs of the census of 2000, there were 251 people, 99 households, and 82 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,812.2 people per square mile . There were 100 housing units at an average density of 722.0 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 99.20% White, and 0.80%...
- MoreheadMorehead, KentuckyAs of the census of 2010, there were 6,845 people, households, and families residing in the city. The population density was 726.2 people per square mile. There were 2,356 housing units at an average density of 253.3 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 3.2% African...
- Clearfield
- Farmers
- Elliotville
- Haldeman
- SharkeySharkey, KentuckySharkey is a small community located at the intersection of 801 and 158 in Rowan County, Kentucky, United States.-History:The local explanation for the name is derived from a cock fight. The township was on the verge of establishing a Post Office, which required a town name...
Communities
- Cranston
- Hayes Crossing
- Hilda
- Gates
- Paragon
- Pelfrey
- Rodburn
- Smile
- Triplett
- Wagner Corner
Local media
- Rowan County - Official Site
- The Morehead News - Local Paper
- WMKYWMKYWMKY , is a National Public Radio-affiliated station in Morehead, Kentucky. It primarily features National Public Radio programming. Its coverage area extends from the Lexington Metro Area in the west to the Huntington-Ashland Metro Area in the east and from southern Ohio in the north to Hazard,...
- Morehead State University Radio - W10BMW10BMW10BM is a low power television station in Morehead, Kentucky, broadcasting on Channel 10. The station is rebroadcast locally on Time Warner cable channel 5. The FCC's database indicates that the station's licenses have been canceled. Fees have been accepted and processed; however, the FCC, for...
LP TV - Rowan Review - Local Online News
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Rowan County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Rowan County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Rowan County, Kentucky. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Rowan County, Kentucky, United States...