Simpson County, Kentucky

Simpson County, Kentucky
County
Old Simpson County Courthouse in Franklin
Old Simpson County Courthouse in Franklin
Map of Kentucky highlighting Simpson County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Coordinates: 36°44′N 86°35′W / 36.74°N 86.58°W / 36.74; -86.58
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1819
Named afterJohn Simpson
SeatFranklin
Largest cityFranklin
Area
 • Total
236 sq mi (610 km2)
 • Land234 sq mi (610 km2)
 • Water2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
19,594
 • Estimate 
(2024)
20,350 Increase
 • Density83.7/sq mi (32.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitesimpsoncountyky.gov

Simpson County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the total population was 19,594.[1] Its county seat is Franklin.[2]

History

Simpson County was established in 1819 from Allen, Logan, and Warren Counties.[3] The county is named for Captain John Simpson, a Kentucky militia officer who fought in Battle of Fallen Timbers in the Northwest Indian War, and was killed during the War of 1812 in the Battle of River Raisin.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 236 square miles (610 km2), of which 234 square miles (610 km2) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2) (1.0%) is water.[5] The county is located in the Pennyroyal Plateau region of the state.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18204,852—
18305,81519.8%
18406,53712.4%
18507,73318.3%
18608,1465.3%
18709,57317.5%
188010,64111.2%
189010,8782.2%
190011,6246.9%
191011,460−1.4%
192011,150−2.7%
193011,3361.7%
194011,7523.7%
195011,678−0.6%
196011,548−1.1%
197013,05413.0%
198014,67312.4%
199015,1453.2%
200016,4058.3%
201017,3275.6%
202019,59413.1%
2024 (est.)20,350[6] Increase3.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 19,594. The median age was 39.7 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.3 males age 18 and over.[11][12]

The racial makeup of the county was 83.6% White, 8.4% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.[12]

59.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 40.6% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 7,600 households in the county, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 8,263 housing units, of which 8.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 64.5% were owner-occupied and 35.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.[11]

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,405 people, 6,415 households, and 4,638 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 per square mile (27/km2). There were 7,016 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.84% White, 10.22% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 6,415 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,432, and the median income for a family was $42,525. Males had a median income of $32,160 versus $22,667 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,150. About 8.50% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

In December 2025, Kroger, the largest traditional grocer in the country, announced plans to establish a new $391 million high-tech automated distribution center in Franklin, Simpson County, a project that will create approximately 430 new full-time jobs.[14]

Communities

City

Unincorporated communities

Politics

United States presidential election results for Simpson County, Kentucky[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1912 547 20.96% 1,639 62.80% 424 16.25%
1916 955 33.41% 1,887 66.03% 16 0.56%
1920 1,680 34.24% 3,206 65.34% 21 0.43%
1924 1,294 32.08% 2,688 66.63% 52 1.29%
1928 1,635 39.64% 2,490 60.36% 0 0.00%
1932 1,203 24.92% 3,603 74.64% 21 0.44%
1936 1,240 28.97% 3,027 70.72% 13 0.30%
1940 987 25.02% 2,950 74.78% 8 0.20%
1944 1,012 26.29% 2,821 73.27% 17 0.44%
1948 762 20.46% 2,752 73.90% 210 5.64%
1952 1,310 32.43% 2,724 67.43% 6 0.15%
1956 1,454 33.43% 2,879 66.18% 17 0.39%
1960 1,927 42.18% 2,642 57.82% 0 0.00%
1964 967 23.33% 3,168 76.45% 9 0.22%
1968 1,435 33.07% 1,505 34.69% 1,399 32.24%
1972 2,285 62.57% 1,325 36.28% 42 1.15%
1976 1,481 34.45% 2,782 64.71% 36 0.84%
1980 2,020 41.92% 2,713 56.30% 86 1.78%
1984 3,073 58.69% 2,140 40.87% 23 0.44%
1988 2,699 55.55% 2,138 44.00% 22 0.45%
1992 2,280 39.04% 2,834 48.53% 726 12.43%
1996 2,186 40.80% 2,749 51.31% 423 7.89%
2000 3,169 54.41% 2,583 44.35% 72 1.24%
2004 4,273 60.67% 2,730 38.76% 40 0.57%
2008 4,437 60.71% 2,775 37.97% 97 1.33%
2012 4,355 61.40% 2,650 37.36% 88 1.24%
2016 5,077 67.41% 2,144 28.47% 310 4.12%
2020 5,888 67.43% 2,681 30.70% 163 1.87%
2024 6,253 71.25% 2,403 27.38% 120 1.37%

In contrast to the Western Coalfield and the eastern part of the Pennyroyal Plateau, Simpson County was not highly pro-Union during the Civil War.[16] Consequently, Simpson was as reliably Democratic as the Jackson Purchase and Bluegrass during the following century: no Republican carried Simpson County until Richard Nixon’s 1972 landslide.

Elected officials

Elected officials as of January 3, 2025[17][18]
U.S. House James Comer (R) KY 1
Ky. Senate Mike Wilson (R) 32
Ky. House Shawn McPherson (R) 22

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Atlas of Historical County Boundaries, Kentucky
  4. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 37.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  13. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  14. ^ "Kroger To Establish New $391 Million Distribution Center in Franklin, Simpson County, and Create 430 New Full-Time Jobs". Kentucky.gov. December 11, 2025.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  16. ^ Copeland, James E.; ‘Where Were the Kentucky Unionists and Secessionists’; The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, volume 71, no. 4 (October 1973), pp. 344-363
  17. ^ "Senate Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  18. ^ "House Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.

Sources

36°44′N 86°35′W / 36.74°N 86.58°W / 36.74; -86.58

allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpson_County,_Kentucky