Gallatin County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Gallatin County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
along the Ohio River
, which at its formation was the main transportation route. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,870. Its county seat
is Warsaw
. The county is named for Albert Gallatin
, a Swiss native who served as Secretary of the Treasury for President Thomas Jefferson
.
and Shelby
counties. Later, parts of the county were pared off to create three additional counties: Owen
in 1819, Trimble
in 1836 and Carroll
in 1838. Today Gallatin is one tenth of its original size. Its northern border is along the Ohio River
, across which is Indiana.
The American Civil War
disrupted the lives of Gallatin residents. Skirmishes occurred in the county and Union forces arrested some men for treason.
After the end of the Civil War, the Ohio River
near Warsaw
was the scene of one of the worst steamboat
accidents in history. Two passenger steamers, the America and the United States, collided. As the United States carried a cargo of barrels of kerosene
which caught fire, soon both boats were in flames. The death toll was 162.
As the 20th century progressed, the river trade began to decline, and the steamboat era ended. Gallatin County is traversed by I-71
, U.S. 42
, and U.S. 127
highways. Construction on the Markland Locks and Dam
began in 1956 and was completed in 1964. In 1967 a hydroelectric power plant was built at the dam, which provided jobs. By the 1980s, more than 50 percent of the population was employed outside the county.
of 2000, there were 7,870 people, 2,902 households, and 2,135 families residing in the county. The population density
was 80 /sqmi. There were 3,362 housing units at an average density of 34 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 96.72% White
, 1.59% Black
or African American
, 0.18% Native American
, 0.22% Asian
, 0.25% from other races
, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,902 households out of which 37.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples
living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,422, and the median income for a family was $41,136. Males had a median income of $32,081 versus $21,803 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,416. About 11.60% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 16.40% 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...
along the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
, which at its formation was the main transportation route. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,870. 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 Warsaw
Warsaw, Kentucky
Warsaw is a city in Gallatin County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,811 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gallatin County It was named after Warsaw, Poland .-Geography:...
. The county is named for Albert Gallatin
Albert Gallatin
Abraham Alfonse Albert Gallatin was a Swiss-American ethnologist, linguist, politician, diplomat, congressman, and the longest-serving United States Secretary of the Treasury. In 1831, he founded the University of the City of New York...
, a Swiss native who served as Secretary of the Treasury for President Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
.
History
The county was formed on December 14, 1798. Gallatin was the 31st Kentucky county to be established. It was derived from parts of FranklinFranklin County, Kentucky
As 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...
and Shelby
Shelby County, Kentucky
Shelby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 42,074. Its name is in honor of Isaac Shelby, the first Governor of Kentucky. Its county seat is Shelbyville...
counties. Later, parts of the county were pared off to create three additional counties: Owen
Owen County, Kentucky
As 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...
in 1819, Trimble
Trimble County, Kentucky
Trimble County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 8,125. Its county seat is Bedford. The county is named for Robert Trimble. Trimble is a prohibition or dry county. It is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical...
in 1836 and Carroll
Carroll County, Kentucky
Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky and located at the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers. It was formed in 1838 and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The population was 10,155 at the 2000 census...
in 1838. Today Gallatin is one tenth of its original size. Its northern border is along the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
, across which is Indiana.
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...
disrupted the lives of Gallatin residents. Skirmishes occurred in the county and Union forces arrested some men for treason.
After the end of the Civil War, the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
near Warsaw
Warsaw, Kentucky
Warsaw is a city in Gallatin County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,811 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gallatin County It was named after Warsaw, Poland .-Geography:...
was the scene of one of the worst steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
accidents in history. Two passenger steamers, the America and the United States, collided. As the United States carried a cargo of barrels of kerosene
Kerosene
Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage, also known as paraffin or paraffin oil in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Ireland and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. The name is derived from Greek keros...
which caught fire, soon both boats were in flames. The death toll was 162.
As the 20th century progressed, the river trade began to decline, and the steamboat era ended. Gallatin County is traversed by I-71
Interstate 71
Interstate 71 is an Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes/Midwestern and Southeastern region of the United States. Its southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 64 and Interstate 65 in Louisville, Kentucky. Its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 in Cleveland,...
, U.S. 42
U.S. Route 42
U.S. Route 42 is an east–west United States highway that runs northeast-southwest for 355 miles from Cleveland, Ohio to Louisville, Kentucky. The route has several names including Pearl Road from Cleveland to Medina in Northeast Ohio, the Cincinnati and Lebanon Pike in southwestern Ohio and...
, and U.S. 127
U.S. Route 127
U.S. Route 127 is a long north–south United States highway in the eastern half of the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The northern terminus is at Interstate 75 near Grayling, Michigan...
highways. Construction on the Markland Locks and Dam
Markland Dam Bridge
The Markland Locks and Dam is a concrete dam bridge and locks that span the Ohio River. It is 1395 feet long, and connects Gallatin County, Kentucky, and Switzerland County, Indiana....
began in 1956 and was completed in 1964. In 1967 a hydroelectric power plant was built at the dam, which provided jobs. By the 1980s, more than 50 percent of the population was employed outside the county.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 104.67 square miles (271.1 km²), of which 98.81 square miles (255.9 km²) (or 94.40%) is land and 5.87 square miles (15.2 km²) (or 5.61%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Switzerland County, IndianaSwitzerland County, IndianaSwitzerland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 10,613. The county seat is Vevay.-History:Switzerland County was formed in 1814...
(north, across the Ohio RiverOhio RiverThe Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
) - Boone CountyBoone County, KentuckyBoone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1798. The population was 118,811 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Burlington. The county is named for frontiersman Daniel Boone...
(northeast) - 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...
(southeast) - 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...
(south) - Carroll CountyCarroll County, KentuckyCarroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky and located at the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers. It was formed in 1838 and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The population was 10,155 at the 2000 census...
(west)
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 7,870 people, 2,902 households, and 2,135 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 80 /sqmi. There were 3,362 housing units at an average density of 34 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 96.72% 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...
, 1.59% 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...
, 0.18% 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...
, 0.22% 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...
, 0.25% 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 1.04% from two or more races. 1.04% 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 2,902 households out of which 37.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% 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, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 22.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,422, and the median income for a family was $41,136. Males had a median income of $32,081 versus $21,803 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 $16,416. About 11.60% of families and 13.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.60% of those under age 18 and 16.40% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- GlencoeGlencoe, KentuckyGlencoe is a city in Gallatin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 251 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Glencoe is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
- SpartaSparta, KentuckySparta is a city in Gallatin and Owen Counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 230 at the 2000 census.Sparta is home to Kentucky Speedway.-Geography:Sparta is located at ....
- WarsawWarsaw, KentuckyWarsaw is a city in Gallatin County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 1,811 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Gallatin County It was named after Warsaw, Poland .-Geography:...
Notable residents
- Samuel BrentonSamuel BrentonSamuel Brenton was a U.S. Representative from Indiana; born in Gallatin County, Kentucky. Attended the public schools; was ordained to the Methodist ministry in 1830 and served as a minister; located at Danville, Indiana., in 1834 because of ill health, and studied law; member of the Indiana...
(November 22, 1810 - March 29, 1857) a US Representative from IndianaIndianaIndiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
; born in Gallatin County, Kentucky. - John Taylor (Baptist preacher), a notable pioneer preacher and church historian, who became part of the frontier planterPlantationA plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
elite, holding 20 slaves and 2000 acres (8.1 km²) in the county by the early 19th century.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Gallatin County, Kentucky