Ghent, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ghent, Kentucky
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City
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Location of Ghent in Carroll County, Kentucky.
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 Ghent, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Ghent, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Carroll |
| Named for | Treaty of Ghent |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.72 sq mi (1.86 km2) |
| • Land | 0.71 sq mi (1.84 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 482 ft (147 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 363 |
| • Density | 510.55/sq mi (197.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
41045
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| Area code(s) | 502 |
| FIPS code | 21-30808 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2403694 |
Ghent is a small city located on the south side of the Ohio River in Carroll County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is known as a "home rule-class city," which means it has some power to govern itself. In 2020, about 363 people lived there.
Contents
Where is Ghent Located?
Ghent is in the northeastern part of Carroll County, Kentucky, right by the Ohio River. The city covers about 0.72 square miles (1.86 square kilometers) of land. You can find Ghent along U.S. Route 42 where it meets Kentucky Route 47. It is also located north of Interstate 71.
River Connections and Ferries
Ghent sits across the Ohio River from Vevay, Indiana. Even though they are close, there is no bridge connecting the two towns. For many years, people used a ferry service to cross the river. This ferry ran for 175 years, from 1802 until 1977.
A Look Back at Ghent's History
Ghent was first settled in the late 1700s. Back then, it was known as McCool's Creek Settlement. The town was officially planned out in 1814.
How Ghent Got Its Name
It is believed that Henry Clay, a famous American statesman, suggested the name "Ghent." He named it after the city of Ghent in Europe (which was then part of the Netherlands and is now in Belgium). This European city was where the Treaty of Ghent was signed. This treaty officially ended the War of 1812 between the United States and the United Kingdom on Christmas Eve, 1814.
Ghent's post office opened its doors in 1816. On January 17, 1839, the Kentucky General Assembly (Kentucky's state legislature) officially made Ghent a city. They also appointed five trustees to help run the new city.
Ghent During the Civil War
In August 1864, during the American Civil War, a small fight happened near Ghent. This event was called the Gex Landing Incident. Soldiers from the United States Colored Troops (African-American soldiers) and the 5th United States Colored Cavalry were involved. They were fighting against Confederate troops. The Confederate soldiers were trying to rescue a local ferryman and Confederate supporter named James Southard, who had been arrested. Some USCT soldiers were injured or killed in this skirmish.
People Living in Ghent
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 366 | — | |
| 1870 | 464 | 26.8% | |
| 1880 | 387 | −16.6% | |
| 1890 | 525 | 35.7% | |
| 1900 | 569 | 8.4% | |
| 1910 | 421 | −26.0% | |
| 1920 | 438 | 4.0% | |
| 1930 | 383 | −12.6% | |
| 1940 | 414 | 8.1% | |
| 1950 | 368 | −11.1% | |
| 1960 | 342 | −7.1% | |
| 1970 | 385 | 12.6% | |
| 1980 | 439 | 14.0% | |
| 1990 | 365 | −16.9% | |
| 2000 | 371 | 1.6% | |
| 2010 | 323 | −12.9% | |
| 2020 | 363 | 12.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 371 people living in Ghent. These people made up 125 households, with 103 of them being families. The city had about 517 people per square mile.
A Diverse Community
Most people in Ghent were White (89.49%). About 5.93% were African American. Some people (3.50%) were from other races, and 1.08% were from two or more races. About 6.20% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
Out of the 125 households, 36% had children under 18 living with them. More than half (56.8%) were married couples living together. About 15.2% of households were led by a female without a husband present. The average household had almost three people (2.97), and the average family had just over three people (3.17).
Age Groups in Ghent
The population in Ghent was spread across different age groups. About 27.8% of the people were under 18 years old. About 8.4% were between 18 and 24. The largest group, 29.1%, was between 25 and 44 years old. People aged 45 to 64 made up 21.8% of the population. Finally, 12.9% of the people were 65 years old or older. The average age in Ghent was 34 years.
Ghent's Climate
Ghent has a climate with hot and humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate. On climate maps, it is often shown as "Cfa" according to the Köppen Climate Classification system.
Famous People from Ghent
- Edwin Otway Burnham (1824–1873): He was a minister and missionary who was born in Ghent.
- Nancy Diuguid (1948–2003): An American theater director who grew up in Ghent. She worked in England and South Africa.
- Rutus Sarlls (1848–1913): Born in Ghent, he was a lawyer, businessman, inventor, and also ran for political office.
See also
In Spanish: Ghent (Kentucky) para niños
