Livingston County, Kentucky

Livingston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,888.[1] Its county seat is Smithland and its largest community is Ledbetter.[2] The county was established in 1798 from land taken from Christian County and is named for Robert R. Livingston, a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the U.S. Declaration of Independence.[3] The county was strongly pro-Confederate during the American Civil War and many men volunteered for the Confederate Army.[4][5] Livingston County is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is a prohibition or dry county with the exception of Grand Rivers which voted to allow alcohol sales in 2016.[6]

Livingston County
Livingston County Courthouse in Smithland
Livingston County Courthouse in Smithland
Map of Kentucky highlighting Livingston County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°13′N 88°21′W / 37.21°N 88.35°W / 37.21; -88.35
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1798
Named forRobert R. Livingston
SeatSmithland
Largest communityLedbetter
Area
 • Total342 sq mi (890 km2)
 • Land313 sq mi (810 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  8.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,888
 • Estimate 
(2023)
8,892 Increase
 • Density26/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitelivingstoncountyky.com

History

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Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 342 square miles (890 km2), of which 313 square miles (810 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (8.5%) is water.[7] The western border with Illinois is formed by the Ohio River.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18002,856
18103,67428.6%
18205,82458.5%
18305,9712.5%
18409,02551.1%
18506,578−27.1%
18607,2139.7%
18708,20013.7%
18809,16511.8%
18909,4743.4%
190011,35419.8%
191010,627−6.4%
19209,732−8.4%
19308,608−11.5%
19409,1276.0%
19507,184−21.3%
19607,029−2.2%
19707,5968.1%
19809,21921.4%
19909,062−1.7%
20009,8048.2%
20109,519−2.9%
20208,888−6.6%
2023 (est.)8,892[8]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2021[13]

As of the census[14] of 2010, there were 9,519 people living in the county. The population density was 31 per square mile (12/km2). There were 4,772 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% White, 0.14% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 3,996 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.86.

The age distribution was 22.30% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 27.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,776, and the median income for a family was $39,486. Males had a median income of $33,633 versus $19,617 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,072. About 7.60% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.70% of those under age 18 and 15.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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North Livingston

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South Livingston

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Ghost Town

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  • Berry Ferry

Notable people

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Livingston County, Kentucky[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,010 80.14% 939 18.76% 55 1.10%
2016 3,570 76.86% 887 19.10% 188 4.05%
2012 3,089 68.48% 1,346 29.84% 76 1.68%
2008 2,890 62.92% 1,622 35.31% 81 1.76%
2004 2,675 56.84% 2,007 42.65% 24 0.51%
2000 2,118 50.07% 2,022 47.80% 90 2.13%
1996 1,258 31.70% 2,228 56.15% 482 12.15%
1992 1,339 31.05% 2,386 55.33% 587 13.61%
1988 1,834 46.92% 2,052 52.49% 23 0.59%
1984 1,866 47.96% 2,007 51.58% 18 0.46%
1980 1,670 41.67% 2,287 57.06% 51 1.27%
1976 878 25.71% 2,497 73.12% 40 1.17%
1972 1,673 59.96% 1,065 38.17% 52 1.86%
1968 1,079 32.63% 1,272 38.46% 956 28.91%
1964 821 27.56% 2,147 72.07% 11 0.37%
1960 1,639 51.92% 1,518 48.08% 0 0.00%
1956 1,247 40.94% 1,795 58.93% 4 0.13%
1952 1,102 41.48% 1,554 58.49% 1 0.04%
1948 671 28.81% 1,622 69.64% 36 1.55%
1944 1,202 41.56% 1,686 58.30% 4 0.14%
1940 1,184 36.85% 2,013 62.65% 16 0.50%
1936 1,039 35.26% 1,897 64.37% 11 0.37%
1932 1,070 32.31% 2,231 67.36% 11 0.33%
1928 1,767 59.12% 1,217 40.72% 5 0.17%
1924 1,267 40.84% 1,768 57.00% 67 2.16%
1920 1,790 47.30% 1,933 51.08% 61 1.61%
1916 923 40.04% 1,287 55.84% 95 4.12%
1912 732 35.11% 1,009 48.39% 344 16.50%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Livingston County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Collins, Lewis (1877). History of Kentucky. p. 478. ISBN 9780722249208.
  4. ^ Collins, Lewis (1882). Collins' Historical Sketches of Kentucky: History of Kentucky, Volume 2. Collins & Company. p. 26.
  5. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 36.
  6. ^ Fuller, Leanne. "Voters decide to allow alcohol sales in Grand Rivers". WPSD Local 6. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  8. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  13. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
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37°13′N 88°21′W / 37.21°N 88.35°W / 37.21; -88.35