Greenville, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greenville, Kentucky
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The courthouse in Greenville
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Location in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Kentucky | |
| County | Muhlenberg | |
| Settled | 1812 | |
| Incorporated | 1848 | |
| Named for | Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene or nearby forests |
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| Area | ||
| • Total | 5.27 sq mi (13.66 km2) | |
| • Land | 5.13 sq mi (13.30 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2) | |
| Elevation | 525 ft (160 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,492 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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4,401 | |
| • Density | 874.78/sq mi (337.78/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
42345
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 | |
| FIPS code | 21-33022 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 0493344 | |
Greenville is a city in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the main city and government center of its county. In 2020, about 4,492 people lived there.
Contents
History of Greenville
Greenville was first settled in 1799. A local landowner named William Campbell gave his land to create a new county government center. The state government officially recognized Greenville in 1812. It became an incorporated city in 1848.
The city was likely named after Nathanael Greene, a famous general from the American Revolutionary War. However, some local stories say Campbell's wife named it "Greenville" because of the many green forests around the town.
Geography and Location
Greenville is located in the middle of Muhlenberg County. It is next to the city of Powderly to the northeast.
Major Roads in Greenville
Several important roads pass through Greenville:
- U.S. Route 62 goes through the city as Main Street and Hopkinsville Street. It connects Greenville to Central City (about 7 miles northeast) and Nortonville (about 17 miles west).
- Kentucky Route 189 goes through the northern part of Greenville. It leads southwest to Hopkinsville (about 33 miles away).
- Kentucky Route 181 joins US 62 in the city center. It goes north to Sacramento (about 16 miles) and south to Elkton (about 30 miles).
- Kentucky Route 178 goes east to Drakesboro (about 7 miles).
Greenville's Area and Water
Greenville covers about 5.27 square miles (13.66 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part (about 0.14 square miles or 0.36 square kilometers) being water. Caney Creek flows through the northern part of the city. This creek eventually leads to the Green River.
People Living in Greenville
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 217 | — | |
| 1870 | 557 | — | |
| 1880 | 866 | 55.5% | |
| 1890 | 968 | 11.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,051 | 8.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,604 | 52.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,917 | 19.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,451 | 27.9% | |
| 1940 | 2,347 | −4.2% | |
| 1950 | 2,661 | 13.4% | |
| 1960 | 3,198 | 20.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,875 | 21.2% | |
| 1980 | 4,631 | 19.5% | |
| 1990 | 4,689 | 1.3% | |
| 2000 | 4,398 | −6.2% | |
| 2010 | 4,312 | −2.0% | |
| 2020 | 4,492 | 4.2% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 4,401 | 2.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 4,398 people living in Greenville. About 90% of the people were White, and about 9% were African American. A small number of people were Native American, Asian, or from other backgrounds.
The average age of people in Greenville was 45 years old. About 19% of the population was under 18.
Greenville's Economy
Greenville is sometimes called the "unofficial capital of the Black Belt." This name refers to the area's history of producing coal and a type of dark tobacco. These industries have been important to the local economy for a long time.
Education in Greenville
Greenville has a public library that is part of the Muhlenberg County Public Library system. The city is home to Greenville Elementary School and Muhlenberg South Middle School, providing education for younger students.
Arts and Culture in Greenville
Veterans Plaza
The Muhlenberg County Veterans Mall and Plaza honors military veterans. It was first built in the 1980s to remember those who fought in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The plaza was updated in the mid-2000s. It now includes a memorial for Lt. Ephraim McLean Brank and a special stone that pays tribute to the song "Paradise" by John Prine.
Thistle Cottage
Thistle Cottage is a historic home that now serves as a cultural center. It was built in 1912 by William Graham Duncan. His last family member living there, Hamilton Richardson Duncan Sr., gave the house to the city in 1986. It opened to the public in 1989 as the Duncan Cultural Center. In 2013, it became part of the Muhlenberg County Public Libraries and went back to its original name, Thistle Cottage.
Today, Thistle Cottage shows off many items related to the history and culture of Muhlenberg County. This includes a coal museum. You can also rent the cottage for parties and other events.
Muhlenberg County Rail Trail
The Muhlenberg County Rail Trail is a paved path for walking, running, and biking. It follows an old railway route between Central City, Kentucky and Greenville. This trail is Kentucky's longest rail trail conversion so far. It opened in 2000 and was named "Trail of the Month" in 2004. Along the trail, there's a viewing platform and a guide for birdwatching where it passes through a wetland. There are plans to possibly extend the trail even further in the future.
Famous People from Greenville
- Ephraim McLean Brank (1791–1875), a soldier and lawyer.
- Ray Harper, a college basketball coach.
- Miles Heizer, an actor.
- Alney McLean (1779–1841), a congressman from Kentucky.
- Danny Morris (1946–2023), a baseball player.
- Edward Rumsey (1796–1868), a congressman from Kentucky.
- Jonathan E. Spilman (1812–1896), a composer, lawyer, and minister.
- Chasteen C. Stumm (1848–1895), an African-American minister, teacher, and journalist who went to school in Greenville.
- Benjamin Tod (Lost Dog Street Band), a singer and songwriter.
- Jim Walker, a flutist.
- Brent Yonts (1949–2021), a state lawmaker and lawyer.
See also
In Spanish: Greenville (Kentucky) para niños
