Grayson County, Kentucky

Not to be confused with Grayson, Kentucky.

Grayson County, Kentucky
County
Grayson County courthouse in Leitchfield
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Coordinates: 37°28′N 86°21′W / 37.46°N 86.35°W / 37.46; -86.35
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1810
Named afterWilliam Grayson
SeatLeitchfield
Largest cityLeitchfield
Area
 • Total
511 sq mi (1,320 km2)
 • Land497 sq mi (1,290 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (36 km2)  2.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
26,420
 • Estimate 
(2024)
27,070
 • Density53.2/sq mi (20.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitegraysoncountyky.gov

Grayson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,420.[1] Its county seat is Leitchfield.[2] The county was formed in 1810 and named for William Grayson (1740–1790), a Revolutionary War colonel and a prominent Virginia political figure. Grayson County was formerly a prohibition or dry county, but Leitchfield allowed limited alcohol sales in restaurants in 2010[3] and voted "wet" in 2016.[4]

History

Grayson County was established in 1810 from land taken from Hardin and Ohio counties.[5] The county is named for William Grayson (1742–1790), a Revolutionary War colonel and U.S. Senator from Virginia.[6]

Three courthouses were destroyed by fire; in 1864 by Confederate troops, and again in 1896 and 1936.[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 511 square miles (1,320 km2), of which 497 square miles (1,290 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (2.8%) is water.[8]

Grayson County is part of the Western Coal Field region of Kentucky. Only the western third of the county has coal; the rest lies in the Clifty Area, which has similar sandstone bedrock, some of it is bituminous but never commercially exploited as tar sands or rock asphalt. The county lies in the Rough Creek Fault System, considered a potential hydrocarbon resource.[9]

Grayson County is home to two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes, Rough River Lake on the northern border of the county and Nolin River Lake on the southeast border. The lakes attract many tourists and have led to the use of "Twin Lakes" to identify some businesses and institutions, such as the Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center in Leitchfield.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18204,055—
18303,880−4.3%
18404,46115.0%
18506,83753.3%
18607,98216.7%
187011,58045.1%
188015,78436.3%
189018,68818.4%
190019,8786.4%
191019,9580.4%
192019,927−0.2%
193017,055−14.4%
194017,5623.0%
195017,063−2.8%
196015,834−7.2%
197016,4453.9%
198020,85426.8%
199021,0500.9%
200024,05314.3%
201025,7467.0%
202026,4202.6%
2024 (est.)27,070[10] 2.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 26,420. The median age was 41.4 years. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 101.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.0 males age 18 and over.[15][16]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.4% of the population.[16]

24.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 75.4% lived in rural areas.[17]

There were 10,440 households in the county, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[15]

There were 13,275 housing units, of which 21.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.8% were owner-occupied and 27.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.[15]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,053 people, 9,596 households, and 6,966 families residing in the county. The population density was 48 per square mile (19/km2). There were 12,802 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile (9.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.26% White, 0.50% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,596 households, out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,639, and the median income for a family was $33,080. Males had a median income of $27,759 versus $19,302 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,759. About 13.90% of families and 18.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 15.70% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Grayson County, Kentucky[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 1,075 27.12% 1,685 42.51% 1,204 30.37%
1916 2,368 54.29% 1,953 44.77% 41 0.94%
1920 4,174 59.21% 2,830 40.15% 45 0.64%
1924 3,183 52.16% 2,858 46.84% 61 1.00%
1928 3,937 63.07% 2,295 36.77% 10 0.16%
1932 3,721 48.81% 3,872 50.79% 31 0.41%
1936 2,907 51.87% 2,676 47.75% 21 0.37%
1940 3,156 53.85% 2,678 45.69% 27 0.46%
1944 3,629 59.64% 2,436 40.03% 20 0.33%
1948 2,880 56.14% 2,174 42.38% 76 1.48%
1952 4,011 63.05% 2,341 36.80% 10 0.16%
1956 4,565 69.25% 2,021 30.66% 6 0.09%
1960 4,807 67.12% 2,355 32.88% 0 0.00%
1964 2,974 50.46% 2,920 49.54% 0 0.00%
1968 3,598 61.14% 1,595 27.10% 692 11.76%
1972 4,155 67.99% 1,839 30.09% 117 1.91%
1976 3,658 53.87% 3,064 45.13% 68 1.00%
1980 5,084 62.95% 2,788 34.52% 204 2.53%
1984 5,524 71.03% 2,200 28.29% 53 0.68%
1988 5,186 66.13% 2,575 32.84% 81 1.03%
1992 4,533 53.29% 2,909 34.20% 1,065 12.52%
1996 4,249 55.02% 2,716 35.17% 757 9.80%
2000 5,843 68.28% 2,604 30.43% 111 1.30%
2004 7,170 70.69% 2,905 28.64% 68 0.67%
2008 6,605 66.70% 3,154 31.85% 144 1.45%
2012 6,404 69.08% 2,744 29.60% 123 1.33%
2016 8,219 77.71% 1,959 18.52% 398 3.76%
2020 9,453 78.87% 2,400 20.03% 132 1.10%
2024 9,710 80.28% 2,235 18.48% 150 1.24%

Elected officials

Elected officials as of January 3, 2025[19][20]
U.S. House Brett Guthrie (R) KY 2
Ky. Senate Stephen Meredith (R) 5
Ky. House Samara Heavrin (R) 18

Events and attractions

Grayson County is the home of the Historic Jack Thomas House which is owned and maintained by the Grayson County Historical Society. The Jack Thomas House contains a museum dedicated to the history and families of Grayson County as well as the most extensive genealogical research library for the county. It is open Monday – Friday for tours and research. Three general meetings with guest speakers relevant to the county each year are held for the membership. They are held in March, June, and October and are always open to the public. The house is open during the Twin Lakes National Fiddlers Contest (see below), the Hometown Christmas Parade as well as other special events.

Every July, Grayson County and Leitchfield host the Twin Lakes National Fiddlers Contest, which brings many elite fiddlers from several states to the Town Square area. The contest is a weekend event. Also in July, the City of Leitchfield hosts the annual Freedom Festival which features music, fireworks, and a carnival. In late August and early September, Grayson County hosts the annual Grayson County Fair, which entertains locals and guests with music, a carnival, a Truck and Tractor Pull, a Demolition Derby, and ends on Labor Day with a parade through Leitchfield. In September the city of Clarkson hosts the annual Honeyfest. The Honeyfest kicks off with a parade in which the Grayson County High School Band and the Grayson County Middle School Band perform. Many floats with the main subject of bees and honey are presented and advertise the many businesses in and surrounding Grayson County. This festival celebrates the city and the contributions of Clarkson's Walter T. Kelley Beehive Factory.

In early October, the city of Caneyville holds the annual Caneyville Fair.

Also, the county is home to several attractions. In addition to the previously mentioned lakes is the historic Pine Knob Theatre, located in the community of Pine Knob. Other attractions are three golf courses, including the 18-hole Lafayette Golf Course in Falls of Rough.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

Transportation

Railroads

  • Paducah & Louisville Railroad

Highways

Airport

  • Grayson County Airport

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Leitchfield Passes Limited 100 Vote". Wbko.com. March 23, 2010. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  4. ^ "Leitchfield votes to go wet". gcnewsgazette. June 22, 2016. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  5. ^ Collins, Lewis (1877). History of Kentucky. p. 293. ISBN 9780722249208. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  6. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 35.
  7. ^ Hogan, Roseann Reinemuth (1992). Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research. Ancestry Publishing. p. 240. ISBN 9780916489496. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  9. ^ "Rough Creek Graben".
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  14. ^ "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 14, 2014.
  15. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  17. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  19. ^ "Senate Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  20. ^ "House Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.

37°28′N 86°21′W / 37.46°N 86.35°W / 37.46; -86.35

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