McLean County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
McLean County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
; its population was 9,938 in the 2000 Census. McLean County's county seat
is at Calhoun
.
McLean County, with Daviess
and Hancock
Counties, is part of the Owensboro
Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA)
, which has a population of some 110,314 (2002 estimate). McLean is a prohibition or dry county
.
, and Muhlenberg
Counties, and was named for Judge Alney McLean
, founder of Greenville
, the county seat of Muhlenberg County.
region of Kentucky
.
The county is transected southeast to northwest by Green River
, the longest river entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Bridge crossings of Green River are at Calhoun, Livermore and west of Beech Grove. Green River is navigable throughout McLean County, with Army Corps of Engineers Lock and Dam #2 at Calhoun assisting boat navigation.
of 2000, there were 9,938 people, 3,984 households, and 2,880 families residing in the county. The population density
was 39 /sqmi. There were 4,392 housing units at an average density of 17 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.58% White
, 0.36% Black
or African American
, 0.16% Native American
, 0.04% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.31% from other races
, and 0.53% from two or more races. 0.84% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 3,984 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples
living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% 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 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,675, and the median income for a family was $35,322. Males had a median income of $28,446 versus $19,432 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,046. About 13.70% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 18.50% of those age 65 or over.
The two remaining cities, Sacramento and Island, are situated in the south of the county.
McLean County has two other sizable, but unincorporated, towns.
Other notable hamlets in the county include:
Comer, Congleton, Wrightsburg, Elba, Poverty, Cleopatra, Lemon, Wyman, Pack, Semiway, Poplar Grove, Guffie, Buel, Nuckols, Livia, Glenville, and Buttonsberry.
Both schools are located just east of Calhoun on Highway 136 and have the cougar as mascots.
Additionally, the county school system has three grade K-5 elementary schools in the towns of Calhoun, Livermore and Sacramento. The Calhoun and Livermore elementaries have about 300 students each, while Sacramento Elementary has 125 students. The future of the Sacramento school is still in question, although the local board of education has endorsed plans to renovate the school if costs can be contained.
At any time, between 350 and 400 county residents are enrolled in higher education of some form.
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...
; its population was 9,938 in the 2000 Census. McLean County's 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 at Calhoun
Calhoun, Kentucky
Calhoun is a city in McLean County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 836 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McLean County. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
McLean County, with Daviess
Daviess County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 91,545 people, 36,033 households, and 24,826 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 38,432 housing units at an average density of...
and Hancock
Hancock County, Kentucky
Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1829. As of 2000, the population was 8,392. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county seat is Hawesville. The county is named for John Hancock...
Counties, is part of the Owensboro
Owensboro, Kentucky
Owensboro is the fourth largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the county seat of Daviess County. It is located on U.S. Route 60 about southeast of Evansville, Indiana, and is the principal city of the Owensboro, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Owensboro metropolitan area
The Owensboro Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Kentucky, anchored by the city of Owensboro. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 109,875 In the 2010 Census the population was 114,752...
(MSA)
United States metropolitan area
In the United States a metropolitan statistical area is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are not legally incorporated as a city or town would be, nor are they legal administrative divisions like...
, which has a population of some 110,314 (2002 estimate). McLean is a prohibition or dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
.
History
The county was formed by act of the Kentucky legislature on February 6, 1854 from portions of surrounding Daviess, OhioOhio County, Kentucky
Ohio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,916. Its county seat is Hartford. The county is named for the Ohio River, which originally formed its northern boundary. It is a dry county, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or...
, and Muhlenberg
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Muhlenberg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 31,499. The county is named for Peter Muhlenberg. Its county seat is Greenville....
Counties, and was named for Judge Alney McLean
Alney McLean
Alney McLean was a United States Representative from Kentucky. McLean County, Kentucky is named in his honor.-Early life:...
, founder of Greenville
Greenville, Kentucky
Greenville is a city in and the county seat of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States. It is named for Revolutionary War General Nathan Greene...
, the county seat of Muhlenberg County.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 256.17 square miles (663.5 km²), of which 254.3 square miles (658.6 km²) (or 99.27%) is land and 1.88 square miles (4.9 km²) (or 0.73%) is water.Geographic features
McLean County is part of the Western Coal FieldsWestern Coal Fields
thumb|right|Regions of Kentucky, with the Western Coal Fields shown in brownThe Western Coal Fields of Kentucky compose an area in the west-central part of the state, bounded by the Dripping Springs Escarpment. This area is bordered on three sides by the Pennyroyal Plateau and to the north by the...
region 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 county is transected southeast to northwest by Green River
Green River (Kentucky)
The Green River is a tributary of the Ohio River that rises in Lincoln County in south-central Kentucky. Tributaries of the Green River include the Barren River, the Nolin River, the Pond River and the Rough River...
, the longest river entirely within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Bridge crossings of Green River are at Calhoun, Livermore and west of Beech Grove. Green River is navigable throughout McLean County, with Army Corps of Engineers Lock and Dam #2 at Calhoun assisting boat navigation.
Adjacent counties
- Henderson CountyHenderson County, KentuckyHenderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1799. As the latest census data update of 2010, the population was counted 46,250. The county seat is the City of Henderson. The county was named for Colonel Richard Henderson who originally purchased of land...
(northwest) - Daviess CountyDaviess County, KentuckyAs of the census of 2000, there were 91,545 people, 36,033 households, and 24,826 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 38,432 housing units at an average density of...
(northeast) - Ohio CountyOhio County, KentuckyOhio County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,916. Its county seat is Hartford. The county is named for the Ohio River, which originally formed its northern boundary. It is a dry county, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or...
(east) - Muhlenberg CountyMuhlenberg County, KentuckyMuhlenberg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 31,499. The county is named for Peter Muhlenberg. Its county seat is Greenville....
(south) - Hopkins CountyHopkins County, KentuckyHopkins County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1807. As of 2000, the population was 46,519. Its county seat is Madisonville. The county is named for General Samuel Hopkins, an officer in both the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and later a Kentucky legislator...
(southwest, across the Green RiverGreen River (Kentucky)The Green River is a tributary of the Ohio River that rises in Lincoln County in south-central Kentucky. Tributaries of the Green River include the Barren River, the Nolin River, the Pond River and the Rough River...
) - Webster CountyWebster County, KentuckyWebster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Webster County was formed in 1860 from parts of the counties of Henderson, Hopkins, and Union. As of 2000, the population is 14,120. Its county seat is Dixon. The county was named for American statesman Daniel Webster...
(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 9,938 people, 3,984 households, and 2,880 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 39 /sqmi. There were 4,392 housing units at an average density of 17 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.58% 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...
, 0.36% 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...
, 0.16% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.31% 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 0.53% from two or more races. 0.84% 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 3,984 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% 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, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.40% 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 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $29,675, and the median income for a family was $35,322. Males had a median income of $28,446 versus $19,432 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 $16,046. About 13.70% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.10% of those under age 18 and 18.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
The county has four incorporated cities.- CalhounCalhoun, KentuckyCalhoun is a city in McLean County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 836 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McLean County. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, population 837, sits on the north bank of Green River in the central area of the county and is the seat of government.
- LivermoreLivermore, KentuckyLivermore is a city in McLean County in the U.S. state of Kentucky, at the confluence of the Green and Rough Rivers. The population was 1,482 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, the largest community in McLean County with a population 1,482, lies in the eastern part of the county at the scenic confluence of Rough and Green Rivers. Livermore's bridgeLivermore BridgeThe Livermore Bridge is a bridge that carries US-431 over the Green River, near Livermore in McLean County, Kentucky where it crosses over two rivers , and passes over a separate county; the only known such occurrence in the world. A sliver of land that is part of Ohio County, Kentucky passes...
is noteworthy, as it begins in McLean County, crosses the Rough River, passes over and has a pylon on a sliver of Ohio County territory, crosses Green River, then ends back in McLean County.
The two remaining cities, Sacramento and Island, are situated in the south of the county.
- SacramentoSacramento, KentuckySacramento is a city in McLean County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 517 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Sacramento is located at ....
is home to the annual Battle of Sacramento Civil War Reenactment, the largest tourist event in the county, and has a population of 517.
- IslandIsland, KentuckyIsland is a city in McLean County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 435 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Island is located at ....
is noted for its annual Wooden Bridge Festival and has a population of 435.
McLean County has two other sizable, but unincorporated, towns.
- Beech Grove, The larger of the two, is situated in the hills of the county panhandle.
- Rumsey is a historic community that lies across from Calhoun on the south bank of Green River.
Other notable hamlets in the county include:
Comer, Congleton, Wrightsburg, Elba, Poverty, Cleopatra, Lemon, Wyman, Pack, Semiway, Poplar Grove, Guffie, Buel, Nuckols, Livia, Glenville, and Buttonsberry.
Education
McLean County has a county-wide public school district of some 1,700 students with one high school.- McLean County High School of approximately 500 students and one grade 6-8 middle school
- McLean County Middle School of roughly 350 students. Mclean County Middle School in the 2006 and 2007 year ranked third in final year testing and second in public schools to Hancock County.
Both schools are located just east of Calhoun on Highway 136 and have the cougar as mascots.
Additionally, the county school system has three grade K-5 elementary schools in the towns of Calhoun, Livermore and Sacramento. The Calhoun and Livermore elementaries have about 300 students each, while Sacramento Elementary has 125 students. The future of the Sacramento school is still in question, although the local board of education has endorsed plans to renovate the school if costs can be contained.
At any time, between 350 and 400 county residents are enrolled in higher education of some form.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in McLean County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in McLean County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in McLean County, Kentucky.It is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in McLean County, Kentucky, United States...