Jackson County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackson County
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Jackson County courthouse in McKee
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| Motto(s):
Where the Mountains and the Bluegrass Blend
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Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
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 Kentucky's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Named for | Andrew Jackson |
| Seat | McKee |
| Largest community | Annville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 347 sq mi (900 km2) |
| • Land | 345 sq mi (890 km2) |
| • Water | 1.3 sq mi (3 km2) 0.4%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,955  |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
40447, 40402, 40434, 40481, 40486
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| Congressional district | 5th |
Jackson County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,955. Its county seat is McKee. The county was formed in 1858 from land given by Madison, Estill, Owsley, Clay, Laurel, and Rockcastle counties. It was named for Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States. Jackson County is considered a moist county, which means that the county seat, McKee, allows the sale of alcohol.
One fourth of Jackson County is within the Daniel Boone National Forest (56,000 acres), making it representative of eastern Kentucky's unique Appalachian topography, wildlife, and heritage. Jackson County is the birthplace of the Grand Ole Opry star “Stringbean” Akemon, and the site of the annually reenacted Battle of Big Hill, the Civil War skirmish that led to the Battle of Richmond in Madison County. Jackson County is home to many attractions and recreation spots such as Flat Lick Falls, S-Tree Campground, Turkey Foot Campground, and the centermost trailhead (located in the county seat, McKee) of the historic Sheltowee Trace.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 347 square miles (900 km2), of which 345 square miles (890 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Estill County (north)
- Lee County (northeast)
- Owsley County (east)
- Clay County (southeast)
- Laurel County (southwest)
- Rockcastle County (west)
- Madison County (northwest)
National protected area
- Daniel Boone National Forest (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 3,087 | — | |
| 1870 | 4,547 | 47.3% | |
| 1880 | 6,678 | 46.9% | |
| 1890 | 8,261 | 23.7% | |
| 1900 | 10,561 | 27.8% | |
| 1910 | 10,734 | 1.6% | |
| 1920 | 11,687 | 8.9% | |
| 1930 | 10,467 | −10.4% | |
| 1940 | 16,339 | 56.1% | |
| 1950 | 13,101 | −19.8% | |
| 1960 | 10,677 | −18.5% | |
| 1970 | 10,005 | −6.3% | |
| 1980 | 11,996 | 19.9% | |
| 1990 | 11,955 | −0.3% | |
| 2000 | 13,495 | 12.9% | |
| 2010 | 13,494 | 0.0% | |
| 2020 | 12,955 | −4.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 |
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As of the 2010 census there were 13,494 people and 5,455 households in the county. The population density was 39 per square mile (15/km2). There were 6,643 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 98.6% White, which makes it the whitest county in Kentucky. The remaining are 0.03% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.01% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from two or more races, and 0.90% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
28.60% of the population are under the age of 18 and 18.1% of the population are 65 years of age or older. There are 514 veterans residing within the county.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,143. The per capita income for the county was $17,692. About 26.50% of the population are below the poverty line.
The median value for housing units is $78,200 and the average rent is $524 a month.
74.3% of the population has a high school education or higher. 12.2% of the population has a bachelor's degree or higher. 77.7% of households have a computer and 65.1% have a broadband internet subscription.
Communities
City
- McKee (county seat)
Census-designated place
Other unincorporated places
Economy
Major employers in Jackson County include:
- Jackson County Public Schools
- People's Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC)
- Jackson Energy
- Phoenix Products
- Clover Bottom Quarry
- Phillips Diversified Manufacturing
- Senture
- Teleworks USA
Education
Public education
The county is served by Jackson County Public Schools which operates the following schools:
- McKee Elementary
- Sand Gap Elementary
- Tyner Elementary
- Jackson County Middle School
- Jackson County High School
In the county is also the Annville Christian Academy (K-12).
Higher education
There are no higher education institutes within the county, but some nearby universities and colleges include:
- Berea College (Berea Campus)
- Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond and Manchester Campus)
- Somerset Community College (London Campus)
Public library
Jackson County has a lending library, the Jackson County Public Library, located in downtown McKee.
Notable people
- David "Stringbean" Akeman, country music star
- Freddie Langdon, world champion fiddler
- Andrew N. Johnson, 1944 nominee for vice president of the United States
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Jackson (Kentucky) para niños
