Russell Springs, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Russell Springs is the largest city in Russell County
, Kentucky
, United States
. Also is the Gateway to Lake Cumberland one of the largest man made lakes in the region, created by Wolf Creek Dam. The area has thrived since the 1850s as a health resort because of its location near a chalybeate
spring. The town itself was founded in 1850 by Samuel Patterson
and was referred to as Big Boiling Springs. The post office was first established on May 17, 1855, and named "Kimble", in honor leading businessman of George Kimble. In 1901 the town was renamed Russell Springs. The population was 2,399 at the 2000 census
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 2,399 people, 1,157 households, and 673 families residing in the city. The population density
was 520.4 people per square mile (200.9/km²). There were 1,280 housing units at an average density of 277.7 per square mile (107.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.79% White, 0.17% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races
, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 1,157 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples
living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 77.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,600, and the median income for a family was $26,464. Males had a median income of $23,480 versus $14,508 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,660. About 21.8% of families and 27.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.7% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.
Russell County, Kentucky
Russell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 17,565 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Jamestown. The county is named for William Russell...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Also is the Gateway to Lake Cumberland one of the largest man made lakes in the region, created by Wolf Creek Dam. The area has thrived since the 1850s as a health resort because of its location near a chalybeate
Chalybeate
Chalybeate waters, also known as ferruginous waters, are mineral spring waters containing salts of iron.-Name:The word "chalybeate" is derived from the Latin word for steel, "chalybs", which follows from the Greek word "khalups"...
spring. The town itself was founded in 1850 by Samuel Patterson
Samuel Patterson
Samuel Patterson may refer to:*Sam Patterson, football coach*Samuel F. Patterson, North Carolina State Treasurer*Samuel L. Patterson, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture...
and was referred to as Big Boiling Springs. The post office was first established on May 17, 1855, and named "Kimble", in honor leading businessman of George Kimble. In 1901 the town was renamed Russell Springs. The population was 2,399 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Geography
Russell Springs is located at 37°3′17"N 85°4′52"W (37.054853, -85.081162).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.
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 2,399 people, 1,157 households, and 673 families residing in the city. 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 520.4 people per square mile (200.9/km²). There were 1,280 housing units at an average density of 277.7 per square mile (107.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.79% White, 0.17% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.08% 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 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 1,157 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% 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, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.71.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 77.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $18,600, and the median income for a family was $26,464. Males had a median income of $23,480 versus $14,508 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 city was $14,660. About 21.8% of families and 27.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.7% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Tara ConnerTara ConnerTara Elizabeth Conner is an American beauty queen and model, who was Miss USA 2006 and has also competed in the Miss Teen USA and Miss Universe pageants. Apart from her role as Miss USA, Conner has been employed as a model. She was a featured model on the HDNet series Bikini Fantasies in 2004,...
, Miss USA 2006 - Vernie McGahaVernie McGahaVernie D. McGaha is an American politician and state senator from Kentucky's south central 15th district, which includes the counties of Adair, Casey, Pulaski, and Russell.-Biography:...
, State senator from Russell County since 1997 - Doug MoseleyDoug MoseleyDouglas Dewayne Moseley, known as Doug Moseley , is a retired United Methodist minister and author who served as a Republican member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1974 to 1986...
, later a Kentucky state senator, was pastor of the Russell Springs First United Methodist Church from 1958-1960. - Fox T. Ponder, Retired Major in the United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Important missions included: Berlin Airlift, Korean AirliftKorean AirliftKorean Airlift was a military operations of the Korean War by the USAF and other airforces participating in the United Nations mission during the Korean War.Began in 1950 under the command of Major General William H...
, The HumpThe HumpThe Hump was the name given by Allied pilots in the Second World War to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains over which they flew military transport aircraft from India to China to resupply the Chinese war effort of Chiang Kai-shek and the units of the United States Army Air Forces based in...
, Operation Haylift - a humanitarian air drop of hay to snowbound livestock and Operation Tan Glove - a mission to map the magnetic equator. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross upon completion of 300 hours of operational flight in transport aircraft over dangerous and difficult India-China air routes and the Oak Leaf Cluster Award. - Steve WarinerSteve WarinerSteven Noel "Steve" Wariner is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. He has released eighteen studio albums, including six on MCA Records, and three each on RCA Records, Arista Records and Capitol Records...
, country music singer and songwriter. Kentucky State Route 80 is named in his honor.