Brandenburg, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brandenburg, Kentucky
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Meade County courthouse in Brandenburg
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Location in Meade County, Kentucky
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Meade |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.11 sq mi (10.65 km2) |
| • Land | 4.09 sq mi (10.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 568 ft (173 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,894 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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2,929 |
| • Density | 706.72/sq mi (272.84/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
40108
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 |
| FIPS code | 21-09226 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0487822 |
Brandenburg is a small city located in Meade County, Kentucky. It sits right on the Ohio River in the United States. The city is about 40 miles (64 km) southwest of a larger city called Louisville. Brandenburg is also the main town of Meade County, which means it's where the county government offices are. In 2020, about 2,894 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Brandenburg's Past
How Brandenburg Started
Brandenburg began on a large piece of land called "Falling Springs." Solomon Brandenburg bought this land in 1804. He opened a tavern, which is like an old-fashioned inn or pub. Soon, a community grew up around his tavern.
In 1825, Brandenburg became the main town for Meade County. However, it wasn't officially recognized as a city by the state until March 28, 1872.
Brandenburg During the Civil War
During the Civil War, an important event happened here. In July 1863, a Confederate general named John Hunt Morgan led his soldiers across the Ohio River at Brandenburg. They were starting a raid into Indiana.
During this event, called the Battle of Brandenburg Crossing, some people on the Indiana side were hurt by cannon fire from Brandenburg. A ship from the Union army tried to stop Morgan's crossing. But the ship ran out of ammunition. This allowed Morgan and his men to cross into Indiana.
The Great Tornado of 1974
Brandenburg faced a terrible natural disaster on April 3, 1974. An incredibly strong tornado, rated F5, hit the city directly. This tornado was part of a much larger event called the 1974 Super Outbreak.
The tornado was very wide, about half a mile across. It destroyed 128 homes and 30 businesses. Sadly, 31 people lost their lives, and 270 were injured. There was no early warning from sirens or weather services. This tornado is the only F5/EF5 tornado ever recorded in Kentucky's history since 1950.
Moving a Monument
In 2017, a statue called the Confederate Monument in Louisville was moved to Brandenburg. It was officially rededicated in 2018.
Where is Brandenburg?
Brandenburg is located in the northern part of Meade County. It sits on the southern bank of the Ohio River. A bridge called the Matthew E. Welsh Bridge connects Brandenburg to Mauckport, which is across the river in Indiana.
The city covers about 4.11 square miles (10.65 square kilometers) of land. Only a very small part of this area is water.
People of Brandenburg
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 331 | — | |
| 1860 | 618 | — | |
| 1870 | 427 | −30.9% | |
| 1880 | 587 | 37.5% | |
| 1890 | 495 | −15.7% | |
| 1900 | 218 | −56.0% | |
| 1910 | 482 | 121.1% | |
| 1920 | 503 | 4.4% | |
| 1930 | 484 | −3.8% | |
| 1940 | 561 | 15.9% | |
| 1950 | 755 | 34.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,542 | 104.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,637 | 6.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,831 | 11.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,857 | 1.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,049 | 10.3% | |
| 2010 | 2,643 | 29.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,894 | 9.5% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 2,929 | 10.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Brandenburg has changed a lot over the years. In 1830, there were only 331 residents. By 2020, the population had grown to 2,894 people. The city continues to grow, with an estimated 2,929 people in 2022.
Who Lives in Brandenburg?
Based on the 2000 census, there were 2,049 people living in Brandenburg. Most residents were White (94.05%). A smaller number were African American (3.90%) or Native American (0.54%). Some people identified as being from two or more races (1.27%). About 0.83% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
There were 844 households in the city. About 33.6% of these households had children under 18 living there. Many households were married couples (43.4%). The average household had 2.32 people.
The median age in Brandenburg was 36 years old. This means half the people were younger than 36, and half were older.
Learning in Brandenburg
Meade County Public Library
The Meade County Public Library is an important place for learning in Brandenburg. It was first opened in 1955. In 2011, the library moved to a brand new building.
The library has also been home to the Brandenburg stone at different times. This stone is a local historical artifact.
Famous People from Brandenburg
Some notable people have come from Brandenburg:
- Chip Jaenichen - He used to be a leader in the United States Maritime Administration.
- Rick Stansbury - He is a well-known college basketball coach.
See also
In Spanish: Brandenburg (Kentucky) para niños
