Since acity-county merger in 2003, the county's territory, population andgovernment have been coextensive with the city ofLouisville, which also serves ascounty seat. The administrative entity created by this merger is the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government,[3] abbreviated to Louisville Metro.[4]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 398 square miles (1,030 km2), of which 380 square miles (980 km2) is land and 17 square miles (44 km2) (4.3%) is water.[7] TheOhio River forms its northern boundary with the state ofIndiana.
The highest point is South Park Hill, elevation 902 feet (275 m), located in the southern part of the county.[8] The lowest point is 383 feet (117 m) along the Ohio River just north ofWest Point.[9]
Jefferson County, Kentucky – Racial and Ethnic Composition (NH = Non-Hispanic) Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of thecensus[18] of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 1,801 per square mile (695/km2). There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of 794 per square mile (307/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 77.38%White, 18.88%Black orAfrican American, 0.22%Native American, 1.39%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 0.68% fromother races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 287,012 households, out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.20% weremarried couples living together, 14.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.20% were non-families. 30.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $54,357 (2018), and the median income for a family was $49,161 (2005). Males had a median income of $36,484 versus $26,255 for females (2005). Theper capita income for the county was $31,980 (2018). About 14.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.1% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over (2018).
Whenever possible, the metro government generally avoids any self-reference including the name "Jefferson County" and has even renamed the Jefferson County Courthouse asMetro Hall.
Prior to the 2003 merger, the head of local government was theCounty Judge/Executive, a post that still exists but now has few powers. The office is currently held by Queenie Averette.[21]
Like most urban counties nationwide, Jefferson County is currently a Democratic stronghold. Jefferson County has voted for the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992. In the2019 gubernatorial election, it voted for DemocratAndy Beshear by a higher percentage than any other county in Kentucky, giving him 67% of the vote. The county voted "No" on2022 Kentucky Amendment 2, an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 71% to 29%, outpacing its support ofJoe Biden during the2020 presidential election.[22]
Since the formation of Louisville Metro on January 6, 2003, residents of the cities below also became citizens of the newly expanded Metro, but none of the incorporated places dissolved in the process. The functions formerly served by the county government for the towns were assumed by Louisville Metro. However, the former City of Louisville was effectively absorbed into the new city-county government.
† Formerly acensus-designated place in the county, but, in 2003, these places became, according to local media, neighborhoods within the city limits ofLouisville Metro.
