Montgomery County, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
 Montgomery County courthouse in Mount Sterling | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofKentucky | |
| Coordinates:38°02′N83°55′W / 38.03°N 83.91°W /38.03; -83.91 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 1796 |
| Named after | Richard Montgomery |
| Seat | Mount Sterling |
| Largest city | Mount Sterling |
| Area | |
• Total | 199 sq mi (520 km2) |
| • Land | 197 sq mi (510 km2) |
| • Water | 1.5 sq mi (3.9 km2) 0.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 28,114 |
• Estimate (2024) | 28,771 |
| • Density | 143/sq mi (55.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
| Website | montgomerycounty |
Montgomery County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofKentucky. As of the2020 census, the population was 28,114.[1] Itscounty seat isMount Sterling.[2] With regard to the sale ofalcohol, it is classified as amoist county—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited (adry county), but containing a "wet" city where package alcohol sales are allowed, in this case Mount Sterling.[3] Montgomery County is part of the Mount Sterling, KYMicropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in theLexington-Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort, KY combined statistical area.
In 1793 Shoe Boots (Tarsekayahke) led Cherokee and Shawnee warriors in a raid on Morgan's Station, in what was known as the last Indian raid in Kentucky. Some settlers were killed and two adolescent girls, including Clarinda Allington, were taken captive and the party returned to Cherokee territory. Believing he had saved Clarinda's life, Shoe Boots later married her, and they had three children together. He was a wealthy, successful leader. Several years later, Clarinda gained a visit back to her family in Kentucky with her children and decided to stay. They could not support her, but the state voted a 3-year pension for her.[4]
Montgomery County was established in 1796 from land given by Clark County. Montgomery was the 22ndKentucky county in order of formation.[5]
Montgomery County was named in honor ofRichard Montgomery, anAmerican Revolutionary WarBrigadier General killed in 1775 while attempting to captureQuebec City,Canada.[6] An alternative story holds that the county was named for Thomas Montgomery fromVirginia, who served in the Revolutionary War. In 1793 Thomas Montgomery settled in Mt. Sterling. In 1805, Thomas Montgomery moved on toGibson County, Indiana.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 199 square miles (520 km2), of which 197 square miles (510 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) (0.7%) is water.[7]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 7,082 | — | |
| 1810 | 12,975 | 83.2% | |
| 1820 | 9,587 | −26.1% | |
| 1830 | 10,240 | 6.8% | |
| 1840 | 9,332 | −8.9% | |
| 1850 | 9,903 | 6.1% | |
| 1860 | 7,859 | −20.6% | |
| 1870 | 7,557 | −3.8% | |
| 1880 | 10,566 | 39.8% | |
| 1890 | 12,367 | 17.0% | |
| 1900 | 12,834 | 3.8% | |
| 1910 | 12,868 | 0.3% | |
| 1920 | 12,245 | −4.8% | |
| 1930 | 11,660 | −4.8% | |
| 1940 | 12,280 | 5.3% | |
| 1950 | 13,025 | 6.1% | |
| 1960 | 13,461 | 3.3% | |
| 1970 | 15,364 | 14.1% | |
| 1980 | 20,046 | 30.5% | |
| 1990 | 19,561 | −2.4% | |
| 2000 | 22,554 | 15.3% | |
| 2010 | 26,499 | 17.5% | |
| 2020 | 28,114 | 6.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 28,771 | [8] | 2.3% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[9] 1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11] 1990-2000[12] 2010-2020[1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 28,114. The median age was 40.1 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.6 males age 18 and over.[13][14]
The racial makeup of the county was 90.9% White, 2.2%Black or African American, 0.2%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 1.7% from some other race, and 4.5% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.3% of the population.[14]
49.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 50.5% lived in rural areas.[15]
There were 11,117 households in the county, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 12,125 housing units, of which 8.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.8% were owner-occupied and 34.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.5%.[13]
As of thecensus[16] of 2000, there were 22,554 people, 8,902 households, and 6,436 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 114 per square mile (44/km2). There were 9,682 housing units at an average density of 49 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.07%White, 23.48%Black orAfrican American, 0.15%Native American, 0.11%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.35% fromother races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.15% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 8,902 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% weremarried couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.93.
The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,746, and the median income for a family was $36,939. Males had a median income of $31,428 versus $20,941 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $16,701. About 12.50% of families and 15.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 17.30% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 758 | 27.13% | 1,615 | 57.80% | 421 | 15.07% |
| 1916 | 1,195 | 40.88% | 1,705 | 58.33% | 23 | 0.79% |
| 1920 | 2,163 | 41.12% | 3,069 | 58.35% | 28 | 0.53% |
| 1924 | 1,956 | 44.92% | 2,347 | 53.90% | 51 | 1.17% |
| 1928 | 2,742 | 58.35% | 1,938 | 41.24% | 19 | 0.40% |
| 1932 | 1,515 | 34.92% | 2,810 | 64.78% | 13 | 0.30% |
| 1936 | 1,649 | 38.65% | 2,594 | 60.79% | 24 | 0.56% |
| 1940 | 1,671 | 37.64% | 2,755 | 62.06% | 13 | 0.29% |
| 1944 | 1,481 | 38.74% | 2,334 | 61.05% | 8 | 0.21% |
| 1948 | 1,083 | 26.38% | 2,731 | 66.51% | 292 | 7.11% |
| 1952 | 1,981 | 42.62% | 2,653 | 57.08% | 14 | 0.30% |
| 1956 | 2,220 | 45.35% | 2,656 | 54.26% | 19 | 0.39% |
| 1960 | 2,451 | 48.25% | 2,629 | 51.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,540 | 33.60% | 3,039 | 66.31% | 4 | 0.09% |
| 1968 | 2,113 | 46.87% | 1,408 | 31.23% | 987 | 21.89% |
| 1972 | 2,868 | 62.63% | 1,657 | 36.19% | 54 | 1.18% |
| 1976 | 2,032 | 38.82% | 3,141 | 60.01% | 61 | 1.17% |
| 1980 | 2,869 | 44.70% | 3,391 | 52.84% | 158 | 2.46% |
| 1984 | 3,864 | 60.59% | 2,490 | 39.05% | 23 | 0.36% |
| 1988 | 3,435 | 52.55% | 3,082 | 47.15% | 20 | 0.31% |
| 1992 | 2,590 | 34.03% | 3,686 | 48.43% | 1,335 | 17.54% |
| 1996 | 2,681 | 39.45% | 3,372 | 49.62% | 743 | 10.93% |
| 2000 | 4,534 | 53.22% | 3,833 | 44.99% | 152 | 1.78% |
| 2004 | 5,647 | 55.20% | 4,506 | 44.05% | 77 | 0.75% |
| 2008 | 5,947 | 57.56% | 4,234 | 40.98% | 150 | 1.45% |
| 2012 | 6,398 | 62.43% | 3,701 | 36.11% | 149 | 1.45% |
| 2016 | 7,856 | 68.60% | 3,158 | 27.58% | 438 | 3.82% |
| 2020 | 8,993 | 70.03% | 3,630 | 28.27% | 219 | 1.71% |
| 2024 | 9,302 | 72.55% | 3,329 | 25.97% | 190 | 1.48% |
| Elected officials as of January 3, 2025[18][19] | ||
| U.S. House | Andy Barr (R) | KY 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Ky. Senate | Greg Elkins (R) | 28 |
| Ky. House | David Hale (R) | 74 |
It is in theMontgomery County School District.[20]
Municipalities and communities ofMontgomery County, Kentucky,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Counties | |
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| Cities and towns Over 10k | |
| Cities and towns 5k-10k | |
| Cities and towns 1k-5k | |
| Cities and towns under 1k | |
| Statistical areas | |
| See also | |
38°02′N83°55′W / 38.03°N 83.91°W /38.03; -83.91
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
