Rockcastle County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Rockcastle County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. As of 2000, the population was 16,582. Its county seat
is Mt. Vernon
. The county is named for the Rockcastle River
which runs through it. The river, in turn, is named for its majestic rock cliffs.
Rockcastle County is part of the Richmond
–Berea
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
of 2000, there were 16,582 people, 6,544 households, and 4,764 families residing in the county. The population density
was 52 /sqmi. There were 7,353 housing units at an average density of 23 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.81% White
, 0.14% Black
or African American
, 0.24% Native American
, 0.13% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.04% from other races
, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 6,544 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples
living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 24.40% 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 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,475, and the median income for a family was $30,278. Males had a median income of $26,770 versus $18,388 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,337. About 19.10% of families and 23.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.30% of those under age 18 and 21.60% 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...
. As of 2000, the population was 16,582. 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 Mt. Vernon
Mount Vernon, Kentucky
Mount Vernon is a city in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,592 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rockcastle County. It is located at the junction of U.S...
. The county is named for the Rockcastle River
Rockcastle River
The Rockcastle River is a river primarily in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. It is a tributary of the Cumberland River and therefore, via the Ohio River, part of the Mississippi River watershed. In 1750 it was discovered and named the Lawless River by Dr. Thomas Walker and his exploring party. It was...
which runs through it. The river, in turn, is named for its majestic rock cliffs.
Rockcastle County is part of the Richmond
Richmond, Kentucky
There were 10,795 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households, 34.7% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had...
–Berea
Berea, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,851 people, 3,693 households, and 2,426 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,055.4 people per square mile . There were 4,115 housing units at an average density of 440.9 per square mile...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Richmond-Berea micropolitan area
The Richmond–Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Kentucky, anchored by the cities of Richmond and Berea...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 318.06 square miles (823.8 km²), of which 317.53 square miles (822.4 km²) (or 99.83%) is land and 0.54 square miles (1.4 km²) (or 0.17%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Garrard CountyGarrard County, KentuckyGarrard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is pronounced 'Gair-ad' with the third "r" silent. It was formed in 1797 and was named for James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky from 1796 to 1804. Its county seat is Lancaster. The population was 16,912 in the 2010 Census...
(northwest) - Madison CountyMadison County, KentuckyMadison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2008, the population was 82,192. Its county seat is Richmond. The county is named for Virginia statesman James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States. This is also where famous pioneer Daniel...
(northeast) - Jackson CountyJackson County, KentuckyJackson County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was formed in 1858 and was named for President Andrew Jackson. As of 2000, the population was 13,495. Its county seat is McKee. It is a prohibition or dry county...
(east) - Laurel CountyLaurel County, KentuckyLaurel County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 58,849 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is London.The London Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Laurel County....
(southeast) - Pulaski CountyPulaski County, KentuckyPulaski County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 63,063 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Somerset6. The county is named for Count Kazimierz Pułaski. Most of the county is a prohibition or dry county...
(southwest) - Lincoln CountyLincoln County, KentuckyLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 24,742 in the 2010 Cesus. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln is a prohibition or "dry county" and is part of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
(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 16,582 people, 6,544 households, and 4,764 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 52 /sqmi. There were 7,353 housing units at an average density of 23 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.81% 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...
, 0.14% 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...
, 0.24% 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...
, 0.13% 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...
, 0.04% 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 0.63% from two or more races. 0.62% 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 6,544 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% 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, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 24.40% 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 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,475, and the median income for a family was $30,278. Males had a median income of $26,770 versus $18,388 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 $12,337. About 19.10% of families and 23.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.30% of those under age 18 and 21.60% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- BrodheadBrodhead, KentuckyBrodhead is a city in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,193 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Richmond–Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Brodhead is located at ....
- LivingstonLivingston, KentuckyLivingston is a city in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 228 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Richmond–Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Livingston is located at ....
- Mount VernonMount Vernon, KentuckyMount Vernon is a city in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,592 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rockcastle County. It is located at the junction of U.S...
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Rockcastle County, Kentucky
- Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care CenterRockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care CenterRockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center is a not-for-profit acute and long-term care hospital located in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky...