Lawrence County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. As of 2000, the population was 15,569. Its county seat
is Louisa
. The county is named for James Lawrence
, and co-founded by Isaac Bolt, who served as a Lawrence County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. It is the home of country music
star Ricky Skaggs
. It is the birthplace of the late Chief Justice of the United States
Frederick Moore Vinson and former Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton
. Lawrence County is one of 55 counties in Kentucky that is a dry county
, meaning the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited everywhere in the county.
is something of a geographic and architectural oddity. The quarter-mile concrete span spans two forks of the Big Sandy River
, connects two states and has a right turn at its halfway point, which connects traffic to the Point Section neighborhood of Louisa.
Yatesville Lake State Park is a 580 acres (2.3 km²) state recreational park which offers:
Swimming and Beach
Additionally the park offers a public beach area equipped with playgrounds, restrooms & showers, and a snack bar is located near the marina.
Yatesville Lake State Park Marina
The only marina on Yatesville Lake offering pontoon boat/john boat rentals, picnic shelters, bait, fishing licenses, ships’ store, 4-lane boat ramp and 147 boat slips.
Yatesville Lake State Park Campground
Eagle Ridge Golf Course
Yatesville Lake State Park features an 18 hole championship golf course--part of the Kentucky State Park “Signature Series” Golf Trail. Received the Golf Digest Magazine 2005 national award, "The Third Most Affordable New Public Golf Course." New clubhouse and on-course restrooms added in mid-summer of 2007.
Other Activities
Miniature Golf
A miniature golf course is located near the campgrounds.
Walking/Hiking, Picnicking & Playground
The picnic pavilion at Yatesville Lake includes two picnic shelters, a playground area, volleyball, grill, water, and a lakeside setting. The large shelter can hold up to 10 picnic tables while the smaller shelter is often used as an entertainment stage. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. There is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors on several walking and hiking trails for all skill levels. Please visit http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/yl/trails/ for Trail Information.
of 2000, there were 15,569 people, 5,954 households, and 4,477 families residing in the county. The population density
was 37 /sqmi. There were 7,040 housing units at an average density of 17 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.93% White
, 0.10% Black
or African American
, 0.28% Native American
, 0.07% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.41% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,954 households out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% were married couples
living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 22.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,610, and the median income for a family was $26,113. Males had a median income of $30,735 versus $19,174 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,008. About 25.30% of families and 30.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.00% of those under age 18 and 27.30% 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 15,569. 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 Louisa
Louisa, Kentucky
Louisa is a city in Lawrence County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,018 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County. The Levisa Fork River and Tug Fork River join at Louisa to form the Big Sandy River...
. The county is named for James Lawrence
James Lawrence
James Lawrence was an American naval officer. During the War of 1812, he commanded the USS Chesapeake in a single-ship action against HMS Shannon...
, and co-founded by Isaac Bolt, who served as a Lawrence County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. It is the home of country music
Country music
Country 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...
star Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs
Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
. It is the birthplace of the late Chief Justice of the United States
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
Frederick Moore Vinson and former Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton
Paul E. Patton
Paul Edward Patton was the 59th governor of Kentucky, serving from 1995 to 2003. Because of a 1992 amendment to the Kentucky Constitution, he was the first governor eligible to succeed himself in office since James Garrard in 1800...
. Lawrence County is one of 55 counties in Kentucky that is a 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...
, meaning the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited everywhere in the county.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 420.12 square miles (1,088.1 km²), of which 418.78 square miles (1,084.6 km²) (or 99.68%) is land and 1.35 square miles (3.5 km²) (or 0.32%) is water.Points of Interest
The bridge from Louisa, in eastern Lawrence County, to Fort Gay, West VirginiaFort Gay, West Virginia
Fort Gay is a town in Wayne County, West Virginia, along the Tug Fork and Big Sandy Rivers. The town adjoins Louisa, Kentucky. The population was 819 at the 2000 census. The estimate as of 2009 was 801....
is something of a geographic and architectural oddity. The quarter-mile concrete span spans two forks of the Big Sandy River
Big Sandy River (Ohio River)
The Big Sandy River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately long, in western West Virginia and northeastern Kentucky in the United States. The river forms part of the boundary between the two states along its entire course...
, connects two states and has a right turn at its halfway point, which connects traffic to the Point Section neighborhood of Louisa.
Yatesville Lake State Park
Yatesville Lake was opened in 1992 and is a 2300 acres (9.3 km²) reservoir managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Yatesville Lake provides flood control for the region as well as recreational opportunities. The Corps manages a boat ramp at the Rich Creek area.Yatesville Lake State Park is a 580 acres (2.3 km²) state recreational park which offers:
Swimming and Beach
Additionally the park offers a public beach area equipped with playgrounds, restrooms & showers, and a snack bar is located near the marina.
Yatesville Lake State Park Marina
The only marina on Yatesville Lake offering pontoon boat/john boat rentals, picnic shelters, bait, fishing licenses, ships’ store, 4-lane boat ramp and 147 boat slips.
Yatesville Lake State Park Campground
- Rustic cabin in wooded area at Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa, Lawrence County, Kentucky.47 campsites which can meet every camper’s need
- 27 RV/Camper sites with electric and water hookups at each site
- 4 primitive tent sites
- 16 secluded primitive campsites that are only accessible by boat or the avid backpacker
- 6 restroom facilities
- 1 centrally located bathhouse and playground
- Boat launching ramp nearby
Eagle Ridge Golf Course
Yatesville Lake State Park features an 18 hole championship golf course--part of the Kentucky State Park “Signature Series” Golf Trail. Received the Golf Digest Magazine 2005 national award, "The Third Most Affordable New Public Golf Course." New clubhouse and on-course restrooms added in mid-summer of 2007.
Other Activities
Miniature Golf
A miniature golf course is located near the campgrounds.
Walking/Hiking, Picnicking & Playground
The picnic pavilion at Yatesville Lake includes two picnic shelters, a playground area, volleyball, grill, water, and a lakeside setting. The large shelter can hold up to 10 picnic tables while the smaller shelter is often used as an entertainment stage. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance. There is plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors on several walking and hiking trails for all skill levels. Please visit http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/yl/trails/ for Trail Information.
Adjacent Counties
- Carter CountyCarter County, KentuckyCarter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1838 and was named for William Grayson Carter, a state senator at the time of its creation. The county seat is named for his uncle, Robert Grayson. As of 2000, the population was 26,889. Its county seat is Grayson,...
(northwest) - Boyd CountyBoyd County, KentuckyBoyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1860. Its are found at the northeastern edge of the state the near the Ohio River and Big Sandy River, nestled in the verdant rolling hills of Appalachia. The county seat is Catlettsburg. Its largest municipality is...
(north) - Wayne County, West VirginiaWayne County, West VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
(east) - Martin CountyMartin County, KentuckyMartin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population was 12,929. Its county seat is Inez. The county is named for Congressman John Preston Martin...
(southeast) - Johnson CountyJohnson County, KentuckyJohnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1843. As of 2000, the population was 23,445. Its county seat is Paintsville...
(south) - Morgan CountyMorgan County, KentuckyMorgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 13,948. Its county seat is West Liberty. The county is among the dry counties, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or prohibited.- Geography :...
(southwest) - Elliott CountyElliott County, KentuckyElliott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1869. As of 2000, the population is 6,748. Its county seat is Sandy Hook, Kentucky. The county is named for John Milton Elliott, U.S. Congressman; Confederate Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals...
(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 15,569 people, 5,954 households, and 4,477 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 37 /sqmi. There were 7,040 housing units at an average density of 17 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.93% 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...
, 0.10% 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...
, 0.28% 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...
, 0.07% 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...
, 0.05% 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 0.56% from two or more races. 0.41% 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 5,954 households out of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.30% 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, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.80% were non-families. 22.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,610, and the median income for a family was $26,113. Males had a median income of $30,735 versus $19,174 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 $12,008. About 25.30% of families and 30.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.00% of those under age 18 and 27.30% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- BlaineBlaine, KentuckyAge distribution was 25.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.The...
- LouisaLouisa, KentuckyLouisa is a city in Lawrence County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,018 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lawrence County. The Levisa Fork River and Tug Fork River join at Louisa to form the Big Sandy River...
- Lowmansville
See also
- Dry counties
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lawrence County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Lawrence County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Lawrence County, Kentucky. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Lawrence County, Kentucky, United States...