Christian County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Christian County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. It was formed in 1797. As of 2000, its population was 72,265. Its county seat
is Hopkinsville, Kentucky
. As of 2007, its population was estimated to be 80,868.
Christian County is part of the Clarksville
, TN
–KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.
William Christian, a native of Augusta County, Virginia
, and a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He settled near Louisville, Kentucky
in 1785, and was killed by Native Americans
in southern Indiana
in 1786.
Jefferson Davis
was born in Christian County, as was Adlai E. Stevenson I.
Joshua Grant was an early settler of Christian County. He married into the McNeil family. Almost all of Joshua's sons had "McNeil" as their middle name. Joshua Grant was a descendant of James Grant and Anne Diskin of Caswell County, North Carolina
. Many of the Grants in Montgomery County, Tennessee
and Jefferson County, Illinois
were also descendants of James Grant and Anne Diskin. Contrary to what is stated in publications dating back to the 1880s, this is a southern Grant family that was not related to General Ulysses S. Grant
, at least on this Continent.
The United States Supreme Court case Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972), arose out of a 1958 double-murder in Christian County, Kentucky.
In 2006 and 2008, tornadoes touched down across northern Christian County, damaging homes in the Crofton
area.
In 2017, northwestern Christian County will experience the longest duration of totality in the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 that will cross North America.
of 2000, there were 72,265 people, 24,857 households, and 18,344 families residing in the county. The population density
was 100 /sqmi. There were 27,182 housing units at an average density of 38 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 69.92% White
, 23.73% Black
or African American
, 0.52% Native American
, 0.91% Asian
, 0.32% Pacific Islander
, 2.23% from other races
, and 2.37% from two or more races. 4.83% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. This number, however, was estimated to be around 4% for a 2006 Census Estimate, according to the United States Census Bureau.
There were 24,857 households out of which 41.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples
living together, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 15.80% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 16.00% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 106.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,177, and the median income for a family was $35,240. Males had a median income of $25,063 versus $20,748 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,611. About 12.10% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.30% of those under age 18 and 13.50% 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...
. It was formed in 1797. As of 2000, its population was 72,265. 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 Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Hopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
. As of 2007, its population was estimated to be 80,868.
Christian County is part of the Clarksville
Clarksville, Tennessee
Clarksville is a city in and the county seat of Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States, and the fifth largest city in the state. The population was 132,929 in 2010 United States Census...
, TN
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
–KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The county is named for ColonelColonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
William Christian, a native of Augusta County, Virginia
Augusta County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
, and a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He settled near Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
in 1785, and was killed by Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
in southern Indiana
Indiana
Indiana 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...
in 1786.
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
was born in Christian County, as was Adlai E. Stevenson I.
Joshua Grant was an early settler of Christian County. He married into the McNeil family. Almost all of Joshua's sons had "McNeil" as their middle name. Joshua Grant was a descendant of James Grant and Anne Diskin of Caswell County, North Carolina
Caswell County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,501 people, 8,670 households, and 6,398 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile . There were 9,601 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
. Many of the Grants in Montgomery County, Tennessee
Montgomery County, Tennessee
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The county seat is Clarksville. The population was 172,331 at the 2010 census. It is one of the four counties included in the Clarksville, TN–KY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and Jefferson County, Illinois
Jefferson County, Illinois
Jefferson County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 38,827, which is a decrease of 3.0% from 40,045 in 2000...
were also descendants of James Grant and Anne Diskin. Contrary to what is stated in publications dating back to the 1880s, this is a southern Grant family that was not related to General Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
, at least on this Continent.
The United States Supreme Court case Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514 (1972), arose out of a 1958 double-murder in Christian County, Kentucky.
In 2006 and 2008, tornadoes touched down across northern Christian County, damaging homes in the Crofton
Crofton, Kentucky
Crofton is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 838 at the 2000 census. Incorporated in 1873, the city is named for pioneer James Croft, who donated the land which the city occupies....
area.
In 2017, northwestern Christian County will experience the longest duration of totality in the solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 that will cross North America.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 724.01 square miles (1,875.2 km²), of which 721.32 square miles (1,868.2 km²) (or 99.63%) is land and 2.69 square miles (7 km²) (or 0.37%) is water.Adjacent counties
- 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...
(north) - 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....
(northeast) - Todd CountyTodd County, KentuckyTodd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 11,971. Its county seat is Elkton. The county is named after Colonel John Todd, who was killed at the Battle of Blue Licks in 1782...
(east) - Montgomery County, TennesseeMontgomery County, TennesseeMontgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. The county seat is Clarksville. The population was 172,331 at the 2010 census. It is one of the four counties included in the Clarksville, TN–KY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
(southeast) - Stewart County, Tennessee (southwest)
- Trigg CountyTrigg County, KentuckyTrigg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1820. As of 2000, the population was 12,597. Its county seat is Cadiz. The county is named for Stephen Trigg, a frontier officer in the American Revolutionary War who died in the Battle of Blue Licks...
(west) - Caldwell CountyCaldwell County, KentuckyAs of the census of 2010, there were 12,984 people, with 6,292 households in the county.-Communities:*Bakers*Baldwin Ford*Black Hawk*The Bluff*Cedar Bluff*Claxton*Cobb*Cresswell*Crider*Crowtown*Enon*Farmersville*Flat Rock*Friendship*Fryer...
(northwest)
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 72,265 people, 24,857 households, and 18,344 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 100 /sqmi. There were 27,182 housing units at an average density of 38 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 69.92% 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...
, 23.73% 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...
, 0.52% 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...
, 0.91% 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...
, 0.32% 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...
, 2.23% 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 2.37% from two or more races. 4.83% 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. This number, however, was estimated to be around 4% for a 2006 Census Estimate, according to the United States Census Bureau.
There were 24,857 households out of which 41.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% 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, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.30% under the age of 18, 15.80% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 16.00% from 45 to 64, and 9.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 106.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,177, and the median income for a family was $35,240. Males had a median income of $25,063 versus $20,748 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 $14,611. About 12.10% of families and 15.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.30% of those under age 18 and 13.50% of those age 65 or over.
Cities
- CroftonCrofton, KentuckyCrofton is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 838 at the 2000 census. Incorporated in 1873, the city is named for pioneer James Croft, who donated the land which the city occupies....
- HopkinsvilleHopkinsville, KentuckyHopkinsville is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 31,577 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Christian County.- History :...
- LaFayetteLaFayette, KentuckyLaFayette is a town in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 193 at the 2000 census. The town is named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette....
- Oak GroveOak Grove, KentuckyIn the city the population was spread out with 32.2% under the age of 18, 23.4% from 18 to 24, 38.6% from 25 to 44, 4.9% from 45 to 64, and 1.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there are 113.0 males...
- PembrokePembroke, KentuckyPembroke is a city in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 797 at the 2000 census. Settled in 1836, the city is named for a character in the novel Thaddeus of Warsaw...
Unincorporated towns
- FairviewFairview, Christian County, KentuckyFairview is a small unincorporated community on the boundary between Christian and Todd Counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is about halfway between the cities of Hopkinsville and Elkton. It was founded about 1793 by Samuel Davis who opened a post office in 1802 and called it Davistown; it...
- FearsvilleFearsville, KentuckyFearsville is an unincorporated town in Christian County, Kentucky, USA.-Geography:Fearsville is located at at an elevation of 558 feet....
- Fort Campbell NorthFort Campbell North, KentuckyFort Campbell North is a census-designated place in Christian County, Kentucky, United States. It contains most of the housing for the Fort Campbell Army base within the Kentucky portion of the base...
- GraceyGracey, KentuckyGracey is an unincorporated town in Christian County, Kentucky, USA....
- Herndon
- Kelly
High Schools
- Christian County High School
- Hopkinsville High SchoolHopkinsville High SchoolHopkinsville High School is a four-year public high school located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, with over 1,000 students. It is operated by the Christian County Public Schools school district.-History:...
- Fort Campbell High School — physically located in Tennessee, but serving the entire Fort Campbell base, and a member of Kentucky's governing body for high school athletics, the Kentucky High School Athletic AssociationKentucky High School Athletic AssociationThe Kentucky High School Athletic Association has been the governing body of Kentucky high school athletics since 1917. Located in Lexington, the organization sanctions competition in the following sports:*Boys and girls**Basketball**Bowling*...
- University Heights AcademyUniversity Heights AcademyUniversity Heights Academy is an independent, college preparatory school for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade located in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The school was founded in 1973 and continues to provide a quality education for its students. Currently there is an enrollment of over...
(private K-12) - Heritage Christian Academy (private K-12)
Colleges
- Hopkinsville Community CollegeHopkinsville Community CollegeHopkinsville Community College , located in Hopkinsville, KY, is one of 16 two-year, open-admissions colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System . Founded in 1965, HCC maintains a main campus in Hopkinsville and a branch campus on the Fort Campbell Army base...
(Website) - Murray State UniversityMurray State UniversityMurray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
(regional campuses in Hopkinsville and Ft. Campbell)
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Christian County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Christian County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Christian County, Kentucky. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Christian County, Kentucky, United States...