Bath County, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
 Bath County Courthouse in Owingsville | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofKentucky | |
| Coordinates:38°08′N83°44′W / 38.14°N 83.74°W /38.14; -83.74 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 1811 |
| Named after | Medicinal springs located within the county |
| Seat | Owingsville |
| Largest city | Owingsville |
| Area | |
• Total | 284 sq mi (740 km2) |
| • Land | 279 sq mi (720 km2) |
| • Water | 5.2 sq mi (13 km2) 1.8% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,750 |
• Estimate (2024)[1] | 12,951 |
| • Density | 46.4/sq mi (17.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 5th,6th |
| Website | bathcounty |
Bath County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofKentucky. As of the2020 census, the population was 12,750.[2] Thecounty seat isOwingsville.[3] The county was formed in 1811.[4] Bath County is included in theMount Sterling, KYMicropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in theLexington-Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort, KY combined statistical area.
Bath County was established in 1811 from land given byMontgomery County, Kentucky. Its name is derived from natural springs said to have medicinal qualities. The courthouse in Owingsville was destroyed by an accidental fire caused by Union troops during theAmerican Civil War in 1864.[5]
It is the site of theKentucky Meat Shower. From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., on March 3, 1876, a mysterious substance believed to be meat of some sort fell from the sky.
In 1932, anarchaeological field survey observed fourteenarchaeological sites in Bath County, including theRamey Mound near Sharpsburg and multiple ancient burials near theSpringfield Presbyterian Church.[6]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 284 square miles (740 km2), of which 279 square miles (720 km2) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km2) (1.8%) is water.[7]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 7,961 | — | |
| 1830 | 8,799 | 10.5% | |
| 1840 | 9,763 | 11.0% | |
| 1850 | 12,115 | 24.1% | |
| 1860 | 12,113 | 0.0% | |
| 1870 | 10,145 | −16.2% | |
| 1880 | 11,982 | 18.1% | |
| 1890 | 12,813 | 6.9% | |
| 1900 | 14,734 | 15.0% | |
| 1910 | 13,988 | −5.1% | |
| 1920 | 11,996 | −14.2% | |
| 1930 | 11,075 | −7.7% | |
| 1940 | 11,451 | 3.4% | |
| 1950 | 10,410 | −9.1% | |
| 1960 | 9,114 | −12.4% | |
| 1970 | 9,235 | 1.3% | |
| 1980 | 10,025 | 8.6% | |
| 1990 | 9,692 | −3.3% | |
| 2000 | 11,085 | 14.4% | |
| 2010 | 11,591 | 4.6% | |
| 2020 | 12,750 | 10.0% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 12,951 | 1.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2021[12] 2024[13][1] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 12,750. The median age was 39.9 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.4 males age 18 and over.[14][15]
The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% White, 1.0%Black or African American, 0.0%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Asian, 0.0%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 2.7% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.4% of the population.[15]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[16]
There were 4,878 households in the county, of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[14]
There were 5,445 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.6% were owner-occupied and 27.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.[14]
As of thecensus[17] of 2000, there were 11,085 people, 4,445 households, and 3,195 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 40 per square mile (15/km2). There were 4,994 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.87%White, 1.85%Black orAfrican American, 0.21%Native American, 0.02%Asian, 0.40% fromother races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 4,445 households, out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% weremarried couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,018, and the median income for a family was $31,758. Males had a median income of $27,786 versus $20,986 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,326. About 16.40% of families and 21.90% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 29.60% of those under age 18 and 21.20% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 1,002 | 36.34% | 1,477 | 53.57% | 278 | 10.08% |
| 1916 | 1,360 | 42.77% | 1,796 | 56.48% | 24 | 0.75% |
| 1920 | 1,997 | 44.79% | 2,440 | 54.72% | 22 | 0.49% |
| 1924 | 1,723 | 44.90% | 2,093 | 54.55% | 21 | 0.55% |
| 1928 | 2,223 | 54.74% | 1,830 | 45.06% | 8 | 0.20% |
| 1932 | 1,576 | 34.98% | 2,909 | 64.57% | 20 | 0.44% |
| 1936 | 1,725 | 38.08% | 2,795 | 61.70% | 10 | 0.22% |
| 1940 | 1,636 | 39.18% | 2,528 | 60.54% | 12 | 0.29% |
| 1944 | 1,581 | 41.90% | 2,184 | 57.88% | 8 | 0.21% |
| 1948 | 1,276 | 35.26% | 2,287 | 63.19% | 56 | 1.55% |
| 1952 | 1,737 | 41.94% | 2,400 | 57.94% | 5 | 0.12% |
| 1956 | 1,889 | 45.79% | 2,221 | 53.84% | 15 | 0.36% |
| 1960 | 1,888 | 47.75% | 2,066 | 52.25% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,009 | 28.13% | 2,571 | 71.68% | 7 | 0.20% |
| 1968 | 1,277 | 38.34% | 1,394 | 41.85% | 660 | 19.81% |
| 1972 | 1,919 | 58.47% | 1,347 | 41.04% | 16 | 0.49% |
| 1976 | 938 | 30.54% | 2,113 | 68.80% | 20 | 0.65% |
| 1980 | 1,463 | 39.56% | 2,174 | 58.79% | 61 | 1.65% |
| 1984 | 2,020 | 52.88% | 1,781 | 46.62% | 19 | 0.50% |
| 1988 | 1,614 | 43.34% | 2,099 | 56.36% | 11 | 0.30% |
| 1992 | 1,259 | 29.95% | 2,229 | 53.02% | 716 | 17.03% |
| 1996 | 1,229 | 34.43% | 1,886 | 52.83% | 455 | 12.75% |
| 2000 | 2,303 | 51.49% | 2,087 | 46.66% | 83 | 1.86% |
| 2004 | 2,269 | 46.13% | 2,608 | 53.02% | 42 | 0.85% |
| 2008 | 2,234 | 49.17% | 2,210 | 48.65% | 99 | 2.18% |
| 2012 | 2,275 | 55.19% | 1,770 | 42.94% | 77 | 1.87% |
| 2016 | 3,082 | 67.19% | 1,361 | 29.67% | 144 | 3.14% |
| 2020 | 3,986 | 70.84% | 1,573 | 27.95% | 68 | 1.21% |
| 2024 | 4,041 | 74.99% | 1,278 | 23.71% | 70 | 1.30% |
Throughout the 20th century, Bath County was overwhelmingly Democratic, only voting the other way in the Republican landslides of 1928, 1972, and 1984. However, in 2000, George W. Bush flipped the county into the Republican column. Bath County was one of the few counties in Kentucky to flip from Bush to Kerry in 2004. Despite Barack Obama's indomitable midwestern strength in 2008, Bath County was one of the small number of counties to flip from Kerry to McCain that year, although Obama lost it very narrowly. In 2016, Donald Trump won over two-thirds of the vote in Bath County.
Despite its Republican devotion in presidential elections, Bath County still retains loyalty to state and local Democrats, as they have not voted for a Republican gubernatorial candidate since 1919.
| Elected officials as of January 3, 2025[19][20] | ||
| U.S. House | Hal Rogers (R) | KY 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Barr (R) | KY 6 | |
| Ky. Senate | Greg Elkins (R) | 28 |
| Ky. House | David Hale (R) | 74 |
| Bath County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of February 17, 2020[21] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage | |||
| Democratic | 6,940 | 72.53% | |||
| Republican | 2,160 | 22.57% | |||
| Others | 354 | 3.70% | |||
| Independent | 103 | 1.08% | |||
| Libertarian | 8 | 0.08% | |||
| Green | 1 | 0.01% | |||
| Constitution | 1 | 0.01% | |||
| Reform | 1 | 0.01% | |||
| Socialist Workers | 1 | 0.01% | |||
| Total | 9,569 | 100% | |||
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 44.19%1,515 | 55.81%1,913 | 0.00%0 |
| 2019 | 46.09%1,672 | 51.98%1,886 | 1.93%70 |
| 2015 | 46.65%1,045 | 49.87%1,117 | 3.48%78 |
| 2011 | 22.61%417 | 58.62%1,081 | 18.76%346 |
| 2007 | 33.09%1,136 | 66.91%2,297 | 0.00%0 |
| 2003 | 42.56%1,398 | 57.44%1,887 | 0.00%0 |
| 1999 | 15.89%197 | 55.00%682 | 29.11%202 |
| 1995 | 41.41%1,309 | 58.34%1,844 | 0.00%0 |
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Municipalities and communities ofBath County, Kentucky,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
| Unincorporated communities | ||
38°08′N83°44′W / 38.14°N 83.74°W /38.14; -83.74
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