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Campbellsville, Kentucky
Official seal of Campbellsville, Kentucky
Seal
Motto(s): 
Urbs progrediens media in civitate (Latin: City in the middle of the commonwealth)
Location of Campbellsville in Taylor County, Kentucky.
Location of Campbellsville in Taylor County, Kentucky.
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Taylor
Area
 • Total 7.67 sq mi (19.86 km2)
 • Land 7.54 sq mi (19.52 km2)
 • Water 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2)
Elevation
814 ft (248 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 11,426
 • Density 1,516.39/sq mi (585.47/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
42718-42719
Area code(s) 270 & 364
FIPS code 21-12160
GNIS feature ID 0488742
Website www.campbellsville.us

Campbellsville is a city in central Kentucky founded in 1817 by Andrew Campbell. It is known for Campbellsville University, Taylor Regional Hospital health care system, its historic downtown, and the proximity to Green River Lake State Park. Campbellsville is the county seat of Taylor County, with a geographic boundary shaped like a heart. Campbellsville celebrated its bicentennial on July 4, 2017.

History

The city was founded in 1817 and laid out by Andrew Campbell, who had moved there from Augusta County, Virginia. Campbell owned a gristmill and a tavern and began selling lots in Campbellsville in 1814. Campbellsville was designated by the state legislature as the county seat in 1848 after Taylor County was separated from Green County. The city agreed to sell the public square to the county for one dollar so that a courthouse could be built here.

The first courthouse was burned by Confederate cavalry in 1864 because the Union Army was using it for barracks. After the war, a replacement courthouse was built on the same site. A third courthouse in a modern design was built in 1965 on a property adjoining the "old courthouse". A portion of the old courthouse still stands near the current (3rd) courthouse.

DowntownCampbellsvilleJusticCenter IMG 0960
New Justice Center October 2009

Construction began in 2008 on a new Justice Center because of the demand for a more modern courthouse. in addition, the city built an "official" county jail to avoid the cost of transporting and housing prisoners in neighboring Lebanon in Marion County.

Historic sites

Campbellsville has several historic sites as listed under Taylor County in the National Register of Historic Places listings in Kentucky. The Campbellsville Historic Commercial District includes several blocks of Main Street. The most notable structure in this district is Merchant Tower (formally Merchants Hotel) which has Romanesque architecture. It has been listed individually on the National Register of Historical Places since 1980.

Just north of Campbellsville is the Spurlington Tunnel, once used by local railroads, but which is no longer in service. It is about 1,900 feet long. Approximately one-third of the way in, a shaft leads to the top, where it once vented smoke from steam locomotives.

Downtown

Downtown Campbellsville includes a Main Street and a designated historic district. The 100 and 200 blocks of Main Street are lined with century-old brick, stone, and iron buildings with Italianate architecture facades. Since 2008, Campbellsville has been redevelopig its downtown area with the help of a Main Street Manager, highlighting its historic design, improving pedestrian amenities and marketing this district. Campbellsville is known regionally for its Fourth Of July celebration.

Geography

Campbellsville is located at 37°20′45″N 85°20′44″W / 37.34583°N 85.34556°W / 37.34583; -85.34556 (37.345951, -85.345444).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (16 km2), of which 6.0 square miles (16 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (1.65%) is water.

US 68, KY 55, KY 210, and KY 70 pass through Campbellsville.

Demographics

The population within city limits was 10,604 at the 2010 U.S. census.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 446
1870 512 14.8%
1880 775 51.4%
1890 1,018 31.4%
1900 1,341 31.7%
1910 1,206 −10.1%
1920 1,535 27.3%
1930 1,923 25.3%
1940 2,488 29.4%
1950 3,477 39.8%
1960 6,966 100.3%
1970 7,598 9.1%
1980 8,715 14.7%
1990 9,577 9.9%
2000 10,498 9.6%
2010 9,108 −13.2%
2020 11,426 25.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2010, 9,018 people, 3,764 households, and 2,160 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,760.9 people per square mile (680.1/km2). The 4,114 housing units averaged 817.9 per square mile (315.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.11% White, 8.74% African American, 0.14% Native American 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.17% of the population.

Of the 4,114 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were not families. About 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city, the population was distributed as 21.8% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,922, and for a family was $30,643. Males had a median income of $26,672 versus $19,736 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,996. About 18.7% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.6% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Campbellsville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.



Economy

Present day

Campbellsville University (the local university), Taylor Regional Hospital (the regional health care system), and the Amazon fulfillment center are the top employers.

Campbellsville University (CU) published its 2016/2017 economic impact report showing an annual impact of $106,482,540. Of that, $42.9 million impact the local economy. The university's operations directly employ and support over 13.26% of all jobs in Taylor County, Kentucky.

Taylor Regional Hospital (TRH) - The expanding healthcare system serves the region of 110,000 people. TRH is one of the area's largest employers. In 2016, TRH served 98,900 patients.

Amazon's fulfillment center, known as SDF1, is located near the technology park.

Campbellsville is home to the Heartland Commerce and Technology Park (HCTP). The park's initial tenant is an automotive components manufacturer, the INFAC Corporation. In June 2017, HCTP received a "Build-Ready" certification to attract new companies.

Tourism is also part of the local economy because of nearby Green River Lake and Green River Lake State Park.

Historical

In the 20th century, Campbellsville was a regional center of industry (agriculture, lumber, textiles, milling, automotive, distribution, oil and gas, light manufacturing, education, healthcare, and tourism).

For decades, employment in the area was dominated by a large textile plant, formerly Union Underwear and since Fruit of the Loom. It closed in 1998. Shortly thereafter, another notable employer closed, the Indiana-based Batesville Casket Company.

In 1969, the booming petroleum business was shut down because of environmental concerns of excess salt water disposal. In 2008, attempts failed to revitalize oil reserves because of water infiltration.

Legacy

The area is home to wood-milling companies that produce interior trim products (Cox Interior, Wholesale Hardwoods).

Campbellsville Industries (CI), "The Steeple People (tm)," is the oldest and largest steeple and tower manufacturer in the United States. CI has more than 15,000 installations located throughout the United States and Canada. CI claims the record for the world's largest prefabricated church steeple at 229 ft at the First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.

Campbellsville is home to the last Druther's (Burger Queen) restaurant in operation.

Media

Local print, radio, and TV:

  • The local weekly newspaper, Central Kentucky News-Journal, has been published since 1910.
  • WVLC 99.9 FM country music, Campbellsville
  • WCKQ 104.1 FM Adult contemporary music, Campbellsville
  • WGRK 103.1 Country, Greensburg
  • WTCO 1450 AM Rock, Campbellsville
  • WLCU TV, Campbellsville University

Education

Campbellsville is home to Campbellsville University, founded in 1906 as an academy.

Campbellsville has two local public schools, Campbellsville High School and Taylor County High School.

Campbellsville has a lending library, the Taylor County Public Library.

Transportation

Public transportation is limited. RTEC provides public transit service that serves a 13-county area in southeast Kentucky.

Airports

Campbellsville does have a local airport, the Taylor County Airport (FAA Identifier: AAS). It is 2.5 miles from downtown Campbellsville.

Roadways

Campbellsville is accessible by two-lane roadways. The closest four-lane roadway is the Bluegrass Parkway.

Notable people

  • Sandra Blanton, former member of the Indiana House of Representatives; reared in Campbellsville
  • Nancy Cox, 1990 Miss Kentucky; Lexington television reporter; born and reared in Campbellsville
  • Zack Cox, former Arkansas Razorback baseball player, Current professional baseball player
  • Clem Haskins, former college and professional basketball player and college basketball coach at University of Minnesota
  • J. B. Holmes, professional golfer
  • Russ Mobley, state representative from 2001 to 2009

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Campbellsville para niños

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