Hawesville, Kentucky Facts for Kids

Hawesville is a city located in Hancock County, Kentucky, in the United States. It sits on the south bank of the Ohio River. Hawesville is the main town, or seat, of Hancock County. In 2020, about 1,023 people lived there. It is part of the larger Owensboro metropolitan area.

Where is Hawesville Located?
- Hawesville's Connections and Bridges
- How Big is Hawesville?
Hawesville's Past: A Brief History
Who Lives in Hawesville?
- Population Changes Over Time
- A Look at the Community
Education in Hawesville
- The Local Library
See also

Where is Hawesville Located?

Hawesville is in northern Hancock County. It is right on the south bank of the Ohio River. The city is built on hills that rise up from the river.

Hawesville's Connections and Bridges

The Lincoln Trail Bridge crosses the Ohio River at Hawesville. This bridge carries Kentucky Route 69. It connects Hawesville to Cannelton, Indiana, which is on the other side of the river. U.S. Route 60 also goes through the southwest part of Hawesville. This road leads southeast about 10 miles (16 km) to Cloverport. It also goes southwest about 25 miles (40 km) to Owensboro.

How Big is Hawesville?

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hawesville covers a total area of about 1.2 square miles (3.2 square kilometers). All of this area is land.

Hawesville's Past: A Brief History

Hawesville has an interesting history. It became a city thanks to a generous landowner.

How Hawesville Began

Hancock County was created in 1829. A local landowner named Richard Hawes Sr. helped start Hawesville. He was the father of Richard Hawes Jr., who later became a U.S. Representative. Richard Hawes Sr. gave land for the county seat. He offered this land for free to anyone who wanted to settle there.

When Hawesville Became a City

The Hawesville post office opened in the same year, 1829. The city was officially started in 1836. It was then formally recognized as an incorporated city by the state government in 1847.

A Note on Local Landmarks

The Immaculate Conception Church was once listed on the National Register of Historic Places. However, the original building was later replaced with a new, modern church.

Who Lives in Hawesville?

The number of people living in Hawesville has changed over many years.

Population Changes Over Time

Here is a look at how Hawesville's population has changed during different census years:

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	1,128	—
1870	855	−24.2%
1880	872	2.0%
1890	1,013	16.2%
1900	1,041	2.8%
1910	1,002	−3.7%
1920	829	−17.3%
1930	790	−4.7%
1940	896	13.4%
1950	925	3.2%
1960	882	−4.6%
1970	1,262	43.1%
1980	1,036	−17.9%
1990	998	−3.7%
2000	971	−2.7%
2010	945	−2.7%
2020	1,023	8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

A Look at the Community

In 2000, there were 971 people living in Hawesville. Most of the people living in the city were White. A small number were African American or from other backgrounds. About 12% of families and people were living below the poverty line. This included some children and older adults.

Education in Hawesville

Hawesville offers educational resources for its residents.

The Local Library

The city has a lending library. This library is a branch of the Hancock County Public Library system. It provides books and other resources for everyone in the community.

Hawesville, Kentucky facts for kids

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