Florence, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Florence is a city in Boone County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population was 29,951 at the 2010 census
.
and Union
at Ridge Road (now U.S. 25
). By 1821, the area was known as Maddentown, named for Thomas Madden, a Covington
attorney who owned a farm on the Burlington Pike. When Madden moved away, the area became known as Connersville in 1828, for Jacob Conner, a settler who assumed responsibility for the growing town. The town was renamed Florence as another Connersville already existed in Harrison County
. It was incorporated on January 27, 1830 and grew quickly after the completion of the Covington-Lexington Turnpike in 1836.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 9.9 square miles (25.6 km²), of which 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) is water.
of 2000, there were 23,551 people, 9,640 households, and 6,073 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2385.6 /sqmi. There were 10,322 housing units at an average density of 1045.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.44% White, 2.67% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.58% from other races
, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.80% of the population.
There were 9,640 households, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples
living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.03.
24.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,567, and the median income for a family was $52,160. Males had a median income of $36,677 versus $26,323 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,451. About 8.1% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
In terms of population, Florence gained 2.2% over one year and gained 14.2% over the course of the decade. As of June 2008, the city's population was 27,745 citizens. It is the sixth largest city in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area
.
visible from I-75
that reads "Florence Y'all"
. Originally the tower advertised the up-and-coming Florence Mall
, as part of an agreement by the mall developers who donated the land for the tower. However, because the mall was not built yet, the tower violated highway regulations, and the city was forced to change it within a short deadline. Rather than repaint the entire tower, they simply painted over the two vertical lines of the "M" to create a "Y". The intent was to change it back when the mall was built, but the local residents liked the tower's new proclamation, so the city decided to leave it as it was.
independent minor league
baseball
team. The Freedom have played at Champion Window Field
in Florence since the venue's completion in 2004.
Boone County, Kentucky
Boone 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...
, 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...
. The population was 29,951 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
.
History
The Florence area was originally known as Crossroads, because of the convergence of several roads from BurlingtonBurlington, Kentucky
Burlington is a census-designated place in and the county seat of Boone County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,779, at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
and Union
Union, Kentucky
Union is a city in Boone County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 5,379 in the 2010 Census. Previously a small rural community, the city began to experience rapid residential development in the 1990s and 2000s and has now become one of Cincinnati's more affluent suburbs.- History :The...
at Ridge Road (now U.S. 25
U.S. Route 25
U.S. Route 25 is a north–south United States highway that runs for from Brunswick, Georgia to the Ohio state line in Covington, Kentucky.-Georgia:...
). By 1821, the area was known as Maddentown, named for Thomas Madden, a Covington
Covington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
attorney who owned a farm on the Burlington Pike. When Madden moved away, the area became known as Connersville in 1828, for Jacob Conner, a settler who assumed responsibility for the growing town. The town was renamed Florence as another Connersville already existed in Harrison County
Harrison County, Kentucky
Harrison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1794. As of 2010, the population was 18,846. Its county seat is Cynthiana...
. It was incorporated on January 27, 1830 and grew quickly after the completion of the Covington-Lexington Turnpike in 1836.
Geography
Florence is located at 38°59′36"N 84°38′33"W (38.993225, -84.642602).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 9.9 square miles (25.6 km²), of which 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) is water.
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 23,551 people, 9,640 households, and 6,073 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 2385.6 /sqmi. There were 10,322 housing units at an average density of 1045.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.44% White, 2.67% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.58% 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 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.80% of the population.
There were 9,640 households, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% 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, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.03.
24.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,567, and the median income for a family was $52,160. Males had a median income of $36,677 versus $26,323 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 $20,451. About 8.1% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
In terms of population, Florence gained 2.2% over one year and gained 14.2% over the course of the decade. As of June 2008, the city's population was 27,745 citizens. It is the sixth largest city in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area
The Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky metropolitan area is a metropolitan area that includes counties in the U.S. states of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, centered around the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. The United States Census defines the metropolitan area as the Cincinnati-Middletown Metropolitan...
.
Landmarks
Florence is well known in surrounding cities for a water towerWater tower
A water tower or elevated water tower is a large elevated drinking water storage container constructed to hold a water supply at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system....
visible from I-75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
that reads "Florence Y'all"
Florence Y'all Water Tower
The Florence Y'all Water Tower is an approximately water tower owned by the city of Florence, Kentucky that stands between the Florence Mall and interstate highways 75 and 71. Millions of interstate motorists pass by the bold declaration every year, some who know the story behind the tower, and...
. Originally the tower advertised the up-and-coming Florence Mall
Florence Mall
Florence Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in Florence, Kentucky, USA. The mall, opened in 1976, comprises more than 100 stores, including four anchor stores as well as a food court...
, as part of an agreement by the mall developers who donated the land for the tower. However, because the mall was not built yet, the tower violated highway regulations, and the city was forced to change it within a short deadline. Rather than repaint the entire tower, they simply painted over the two vertical lines of the "M" to create a "Y". The intent was to change it back when the mall was built, but the local residents liked the tower's new proclamation, so the city decided to leave it as it was.
Sports
The city is home to the Florence FreedomFlorence Freedom
The Florence Freedom are a professional baseball team based in the Northern Kentucky city of Florence, located near the city of Cincinnati. The Freedom are a member of the West Division of the Frontier League, an independent baseball league...
independent minor league
Independent baseball
Independent baseball leagues are professional baseball organizations located in the United States and Canada. They are not operated in conjunction with either a Major League Baseball team or an affiliated minor league team. Being independent allows teams to be located close to major-league teams...
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team. The Freedom have played at Champion Window Field
Champion Window Field
Champion Window Field is a stadium in Florence, Kentucky. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Florence Freedom independent league baseball team of the Frontier League...
in Florence since the venue's completion in 2004.
Notable Natives
- Shaun AlexanderShaun AlexanderShaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...
, NFLNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
player - Kenny PriceKenny PriceJames Kenneth "Kenny" Price was a singer, songwriter, and actor. Nicknamed the "Round Mound of Sound," Price recorded for the Boone and RCA Victor, MRC and Dimension record labels, charting thirty-four singles on the Hot Country Songs charts between 1966 and 1980...
, Country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer, made appearances on Hee HawHee HawHee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
External links
- Historical Images and Texts of Florence, Kentucky
- City of Florence
- Florence Real Estate Sales Statistics
- Florence Freedom Baseball
- Boone County
- Florence, Kentucky, the First Century (1830-1930) by Paul Tanner - Boone County Public Library
- Florence Fire of 1870 - Boone County Public Library