The settlement developed on both sides of the South Fork of theLicking River. It was named after Cynthia and Anna Harrison,[7] daughters of Robert Harrison, who had donated land to establish the town center.[8] Harrison County, on the other hand, was named after Colonel Benjamin Harrison, an early settler in the area who had served as sheriff ofBourbon County.[9]
TwoCivil War battles were fought in Cynthiana. The first on July 17, 1862, was part of a cavalry raid into Kentucky (which stayed in the Union) by Confederate GeneralJohn Hunt Morgan;the second, on June 11 and 12, 1864, resulted in Union defeat of Confederate forces during Morgan's last raid into the state.[10][11]
On March 2, 1997, the South Fork of the Licking River flooded, causing extensive damage in Cynthiana and neighboring communities.
In early March 2020, near the beginning of theCOVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Cynthiana was reported to have the first case of the disease diagnosed in Kentucky. Four more cases soon followed, and by March 12, most businesses, schools and churches closed in an effort to prevent further spread.[13]
Cynthiana is located in southern Harrison County. U.S. Routes27 and62 pass through the city, passing west of the downtown area. US 27 leads north 56 miles (90 km) toCincinnati and south 14 miles (23 km) toParis, while US 62 leads northeast 46 miles (74 km) toMaysville and southwest 21 miles (34 km) toGeorgetown.Lexington is 31 miles (50 km) to the southwest via US 27 or 29 miles (47 km) viaKentucky Route 353.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.5 km2), of which 4.0 square miles (10.4 km2) are land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 1.09%, are water.[5] The South Fork of the Licking River, a tributary of theOhio River, flows south to north through the city, passing west of the downtown area.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Cynthiana has ahumid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[14]
Climate data for Cynthiana, Kentucky (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
KY 36 is also known locally as Williamstown Road (west of Cynthiana) and Millersburg Pike (east of Cynthiana).
KY 32 is also known locally as Connersville Pike (southwest of Cynthiana) and Millersburg Pike (east of Cynthiana). KY 32 and KY 36 merge downtown and leave Cynthiana concurrently.
As of thecensus[22] of 2000, there were 6,258 people, 2,692 households, and 1,639 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,873.6 inhabitants per square mile (723.4/km2). There were 2,909 housing units at an average density of 870.9 per square mile (336.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.43%White, 5.29%Black orAfrican American, 0.16%Native American, 0.18%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 0.81% fromother races, and 1.09% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 2,692 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% weremarried couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,519, and the median income for a family was $34,691. Males had a median income of $27,704 versus $20,659 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $15,227. About 13.3% of families and 16.1% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 23.1% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.
3M established a factory in Cynthiana in 1969.Post-it notes were developed in 1972 byArthur Fry andSpencer Silver. Until patents expired in the late 1990s, the 3M factory in Cynthiana was the only production site of Post-it notes worldwide. Today, it still accounts for nearly all of the world's production.[23]
The Cynthiana Democrat, owned by Paxton Media Group, formerly by Landmark Community Newspapers.Subscription-based weekly newspaper, printed every Thursday with in-home delivery.Has been in print since 1868. Also is available at www.cynthianademocrat.com
Phil Wagner, retired American professional basketball player who spent one season (1968–69) in the American Basketball Association for the Indiana Pacers
^Penn, William A. (2016).Kentucky Rebel Town: Civil War Battles of Cynthiana and Harrison County. Lexington: Univ. Press of Kentucky. pp. 105, 175, 193, 205.ISBN9780813167718.