Lawrence County, Kentucky

Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,293.^[1] Its county seat is Louisa.^[2] The county is named for James Lawrence,^[3] and co-founded by Isaac Bolt, who served as a Lawrence County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. It is the birthplace of country music star Tyler Childers, late Chief Justice of the United States Frederick Moore Vinson, and former Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton. In regard to alcoholic beverage sales, Lawrence County is considered a "moist" county, meaning alcohol sales are only allowed within the city limits of Louisa.

Lawrence County was established in 1821 from land given by Floyd and Greenup Counties.^[4] Four courthouses have served Lawrence County; the first was completed in 1823.^[5]

During the Civil War, 149 men from Lawrence County served in the Confederacy, while 638 men served the Union Army. Louisa was used as a Union Fort during the war overlooking the local area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 420 square miles (1,100 km²), of which 416 square miles (1,080 km²) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km²) (1.1%) is water.^[6]

The bridge from Louisa, in eastern Lawrence County, to Fort Gay, West Virginia is a rare multi-way T-bridge. The quarter-mile concrete span spans across the Levisa Fork and the Tug River that come together and form the Big Sandy River, connects two states and has a right turn at its halfway point, which connects traffic to the Point Section neighborhood of Louisa.

Yatesville Lake was opened in 1992 and is a 2,300 acres (9.3 km²) reservoir managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Yatesville Lake provides flood control for the region as well as recreational opportunities. The Corps manages a boat ramp at the Rich Creek area.

• Carter County (northwest)
• Boyd County (north)
• Wayne County, West Virginia (east)
• Martin County (southeast)
• Johnson County (south)
• Morgan County (southwest)
• Elliott County (west)

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 16,293. The median age was 42.0 years. 23.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.9 males age 18 and over.^[12][13]

The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.9% of the population.^[13]

24.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 76.0% lived in rural areas.^[14]

There were 6,429 households in the county, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[12]

There were 7,524 housing units, of which 14.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.8% were owner-occupied and 26.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.^[12]

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,569 people, 5,954 households, and 4,477 families in the county. The population density was 37 per square mile (14/km²). There were 7,040 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (6.6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.93% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.41%.^[15] were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 5,954 households 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 22.40% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median household income was $21,610 and the median family income was $26,113. Males had a median income of $30,735 versus $19,174 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,008. About 25.30% of families and 30.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.00% of those under age 18 and 27.30% of those age 65 or over.

Lawrence County is a state bellwether in presidential elections, having voted for Kentucky's statewide winner in every election since 1956.^[17]

• Louisa (county seat)

• Dry counties
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lawrence County, Kentucky
• Purgatory (Tyler Childers album)

• Lawrence County Schools
• Lawrence County Tourism Commission
• The Kentucky Highlands Project

38°04′N 82°44′W / 38.06°N 82.73°W / 38.06; -82.73