Scott County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. The population was 47,173 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat
is Georgetown
.
Scott County is part of the Lexington–Fayette
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
In 1783, Robert Johnson established the first permanent settlement at Johnson's Station. In 1786, Maryland
Catholics established the second parish in Kentucky at St. Francis, Kentucky.
Scott County was formed in 1792. It was one of the first counties created after Statehood. It was named for Revolutionary War hero, Gen. Charles Scott
, who led the Kentucky Militia at the disastrous Battle of the Wabash
in 1791. Gen. Scott went on to the 1794 victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers
, and served as Governor from 1808 - 1812.
In 1825, the Choctaw Nation established the Choctaw Academy at Blue Spring in the county. They operated the school for Choctaw boys until 1842, when it closed. They transferred the staff and records to the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
, where they had removed in the 1830s. There they founded the Spencer Academy in 1844 as the school for Choctaw boys and also founded a school for girls. Later in the nineteenth century, they accepted Baptist
missionaries to found the Armstrong Academy.
On November 18, 1861, Scott County native George W. Johnson was elected provisional Confederate
governor of Kentucky. In the American Civil War
, Scott County furnished the Union army
with 118 soldiers and the Confederacy with approximately 1,000. http://www.kycourts.net/Counties/Scott_text.asp
of 2000, there were 33,061 people, 12,110 households, and 8,985 families residing in the county. The population density
was 116 /sqmi. There were 12,977 housing units at an average density of 46 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 91.94% White
, 5.35% Black
or African American
, 0.26% Native American
, 0.50% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.82% from other races
, and 1.13% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 12,110 households out of which 38.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples
living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 21.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 11.80% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 8.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,081, and the median income for a family was $54,117. Males had a median income of $40,604 versus $25,767 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,490. About 7.30% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 12.10% 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...
. The population was 47,173 in the 2010 Census. 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 Georgetown
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
.
Scott County is part of the Lexington–Fayette
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area
The Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area is the 106th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States. It was originally formed by the United States Census Bureau in 1950 and consisted solely of Fayette County until 1980 when surrounding counties saw increases in their...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 285.3 square miles (738.9 km²), of which 284.72 square miles (737.4 km²) (or 99.80%) is land and 0.57 square miles (1.5 km²) (or 0.20%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Grant CountyGrant County, KentuckyGrant County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1820. As of 2000, the population was 22,384. Its county seat is Williamstown...
(north) - Harrison CountyHarrison County, KentuckyHarrison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1794. As of 2010, the population was 18,846. Its county seat is Cynthiana...
(northeast) - Bourbon CountyBourbon County, KentuckyBourbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the remnant of what was previously a much larger Bourbon County, established as part of Virginia in 1785, and comprising what are now thirty-four modern Kentucky counties...
(east) - Fayette CountyFayette County, KentuckyFayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 295,083 in the 2010 Census. Its territory, population and government are coextensive with the city of Lexington, which also serves as county seat....
(southeast) - Woodford CountyWoodford County, KentuckyWoodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
(southwest) - Franklin CountyFranklin County, KentuckyAs of the census of 2000, there were 47,687 people, 19,907 households, and 12,840 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 21,409 housing units at an average density of...
(west) - Owen CountyOwen County, KentuckyAs of the census of 2000, there were 10,547 people, 4,086 households, and 2,995 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 5,345 housing units at an average density of...
(northwest)
History
Scott County was explored as early as 1774. One of the early settlers was John McClelland of Pennsylvania. The area became subject to hostile Indian attacks, and was abandoned by 1777.In 1783, Robert Johnson established the first permanent settlement at Johnson's Station. In 1786, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
Catholics established the second parish in Kentucky at St. Francis, Kentucky.
Scott County was formed in 1792. It was one of the first counties created after Statehood. It was named for Revolutionary War hero, Gen. Charles Scott
Charles Scott
Charles Scott may refer to:* Charles Scott , American Revolutionary War soldier and fourth governor of Kentucky* Charles Frederick Scott , U.S. Representative from Kansas...
, who led the Kentucky Militia at the disastrous Battle of the Wabash
St. Clair's Defeat
St. Clair's Defeat also known as the Battle of the Wabash, the Battle of Wabash River or the Battle of a Thousand Slain, was fought on November 4, 1791 in the Northwest Territory between the United States and the Western Confederacy of American Indians, as part of the Northwest Indian War...
in 1791. Gen. Scott went on to the 1794 victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers
Battle of Fallen Timbers
The Battle of Fallen Timbers was the final battle of the Northwest Indian War, a struggle between American Indian tribes affiliated with the Western Confederacy and the United States for control of the Northwest Territory...
, and served as Governor from 1808 - 1812.
In 1825, the Choctaw Nation established the Choctaw Academy at Blue Spring in the county. They operated the school for Choctaw boys until 1842, when it closed. They transferred the staff and records to the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
Indian Territory
The Indian Territory, also known as the Indian Territories and the Indian Country, was land set aside within the United States for the settlement of American Indians...
, where they had removed in the 1830s. There they founded the Spencer Academy in 1844 as the school for Choctaw boys and also founded a school for girls. Later in the nineteenth century, they accepted Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
missionaries to found the Armstrong Academy.
On November 18, 1861, Scott County native George W. Johnson was elected provisional Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
governor of Kentucky. In 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...
, Scott County furnished the Union army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
with 118 soldiers and the Confederacy with approximately 1,000. http://www.kycourts.net/Counties/Scott_text.asp
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 33,061 people, 12,110 households, and 8,985 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 116 /sqmi. There were 12,977 housing units at an average density of 46 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 91.94% 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...
, 5.35% 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...
, 0.26% 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...
, 0.50% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 0.82% 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 1.13% from two or more races. 1.61% 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 12,110 households out of which 38.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% 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, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.80% were non-families. 21.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 11.80% from 18 to 24, 32.60% from 25 to 44, 20.40% from 45 to 64, and 8.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,081, and the median income for a family was $54,117. Males had a median income of $40,604 versus $25,767 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 $21,490. About 7.30% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.00% of those under age 18 and 12.10% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- CorinthCorinth, KentuckyCorinth is a city in Grant, Harrison, and Scott Counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 181 at the 2000 census. Despite being in a dry county, sales by the drink in restaurants seating at least 100 diners are allowed....
- GeorgetownGeorgetown, KentuckyGeorgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
- SadievilleSadieville, KentuckySadieville is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 263 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Sadieville is located at ....
- Stamping GroundStamping Ground, KentuckyStamping Ground is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 566 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area....
Notable current and past residents
- James C. C. BlackJames C. C. BlackJames Conquest Cross Black was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from Kentucky and Georgia.-Biography:...
- U.S. Representative from Georgia. Born in Stamping Ground. - J. Campbell CantrillJ. Campbell CantrillJames Campbell Cantrill was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.Born in Georgetown, Kentucky, Cantrill attended the common schools, Georgetown College, and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville....
- politician, U.S. Representative from Kentucky. Born in Georgetown in 1870. - Daniel Cook - First Attorney General of Illinois.
- Basil DukeBasil W. DukeBasil Wilson Duke was a Confederate general officer during the American Civil War. His most noted service in the war was as second-in-command for his brother-in-law John Hunt Morgan; Duke would later write a popular account of Morgan's most famous raid: 1863's Morgan's Raid...
- Confederate General, took part in Morgan's Raid. Brother-in-law of John Hunt Morgan. - David French - author, A Season for Justice: Defending the Rights of the Christian Home, Church and School.
- William H. HatchWilliam H. HatchWilliam Henry Hatch was a U.S. Representative from Missouri.-Biography:Born near Georgetown, Kentucky, Hatch attended the schools of Lexington, Kentucky, where he studied law....
- politician, U.S. Representative from Missouri. Born in Georgetown in 1833. - Henry P. HaunHenry P. HaunHenry Peter Haun was a U.S. Senator from California.- External links :...
- politician, U.S. Senator from California. Born near Newton in 1815. - George W. JohnsonGeorge W. Johnson (Civil War)George Washington Johnson was the first Confederate governor of Kentucky. A lawyer-turned-farmer from Scott County, Kentucky, Johnson favored secession as a means of preventing the Civil War, believing the Union and Confederacy would be forces of equal strength, each too wary to attack the other...
- politician, 1st Confederate Governor of Kentucky, mortally wounded at the Battle of Shiloh. - John T. Johnson - politician, U.S. Representative from Kentucky, brother of Richard M. Johnson. Born at Great Crossings in 1788.
- Richard M. Johnson - politician, Vice-President of the United States 1837-43. Born in Louisville, Ky.
- Tom L. JohnsonTom L. JohnsonThomas Loftin Johnson , better known as Tom L. Johnson, was an American politician of the Democratic Party from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He headed relief efforts after the Johnstown, Pennsylvania floods of 1889, was a U.S. Representative from 1891–1895 and the 35th mayor of...
- U.S. Representative from Ohio 1891-95, Mayor of Cleveland 1901-1909. Born in Georgetown in 1854. - John M. PalmerJohn M. Palmer (politician)John McAuley Palmer , was an Illinois resident, an American Civil War General who fought for the Union, the 15th Governor of Illinois, and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party in the 1896 election on a platform to defend the gold standard, free trade, and limited...
- Civil War General, Governor of Illinois 1869-1873, National Democratic Party presidential candidate 1896. Born at Eagle Creek in 1817. - James F. RobinsonJames F. RobinsonJames Fisher Robinson was the 22nd Governor of Kentucky, serving the remainder of the unfinished term of Governor Beriah Magoffin. Magoffin, a Confederate sympathizer, became increasingly ineffective after the elections of 1861 yielded a supermajority to pro-Union forces in both houses of the...
- politician, 22nd Governor of Kentucky. Was the Federal Governor during the Civil War. Cardome in Georgetown was his family home. - John M. RobinsonJohn M. RobinsonJohn McCracken Robinson was a United States Senator from Illinois.Born near Georgetown, Kentucky, he attended the common schools and graduated from Transylvania University at Lexington. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and began practice in Carmi, Illinois in 1818...
- politician, United States Senator from Illinois. Born in Georgetown in 1794. - Robert Ward JohnsonRobert Ward JohnsonRobert Ward Johnson was a Democratic United States Senator and Confederate States Senator from the State of Arkansas....
- U.S. Senator and Confederate States Senator from Arkansas. Nephew of Richard M. Johnson. - Gustavus W. Smith - General in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, Confederate Secretary of War in 1862.
- Junius Ward - 19th century horseman and plantation owner, founder of Ward HallWard HallWard Hall is a Greek Revival antebellum plantation mansion located in Georgetown, Kentucky. The , with high Corinthian fluted columns, is a Greek Revival house in Kentucky, and one of the finest examples of a mid-nineteenth classical building in the United States.-History:The mansion was built by...
. - Edith Summers KelleyEdith Summers KelleyEdith Summers Kelley was a Canadian-born author who lived and worked in the United States, and is best known for her 1923 novel Weeds , set in the hills of Kentucky....
- Canadian author, wrote Weeds (1923), novel about "an artistic tomboy in the rural hills of Kentucky, who struggles unsuccessfully to overcome the oppressive roles assigned to her as a woman"
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Scott County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Scott County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Scott County, Kentucky. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Scott County, Kentucky, United States...