Laurel County, Kentucky Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Laurel County
U.S. county
Laurel County courthouse in London
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
Founded	December 21, 1825
Named for	Mountain laurel trees
Seat	London
Largest city	London
Area
• Total	444 sq mi (1,150 km²)
• Land	434 sq mi (1,120 km²)
• Water	9.7 sq mi (25 km²) 2.2%
Population (2020)
• Total	62,613
• Estimate (2023)	63,296
• Density	141.02/sq mi (54.45/km²)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th

Laurel County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,613. Its county seat is London. After a special election in January 2016 alcohol sales are permitted only in the city limits of London. The ordinance went into effect on March 27, 2016, 60 days after results of the election. Laurel County is included in the London, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
Geography
- Adjacent counties
- National protected area
Demographics
Education
Communities
Notable residents
See also

History

Laurel County, the 80th county to be organized in Kentucky, was established by an act of the general assembly, December 21, 1825, from parts of Rockcastle, Clay, Knox and Whitley Counties. Laurel County was named from the Laurel River, noted for dense laurel thickets along its banks.

Laurel County was the location of the Battle of Wildcat Mountain, a pivotal yet little known battle during the American Civil War that kept Confederate armies from advancing on Big Hill, a major stronghold during the war.

After a fire damaged the courthouse in 1958, a new structure was completed in 1961.

The first Kentucky Fried Chicken was started in southern Laurel County by Colonel Harland Sanders just north of Corbin. Nowadays, visitors are welcomed to the original cafe and museum where they can eat at, tour, and learn about the start of the worldwide franchise. Due to the history of chicken in the county, The World Chicken Festival is celebrated every year in London, the county seat, drawing crowds of up to 250,000 people over the four-day festival.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 444 square miles (1,150 km²), of which 434 square miles (1,120 km²) is land and 9.7 square miles (25 km²) (2.2%) is water. Part of Laurel River Lake is in Laurel County.

Adjacent counties

Jackson County (northeast)
Clay County (east)
Knox County (southeast)
Whitley County (south)
McCreary County (southwest)
Pulaski County (west)
Rockcastle County (northwest)

National protected area

Daniel Boone National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1830	2,206	—
1840	3,079	39.6%
1850	4,145	34.6%
1860	5,488	32.4%
1870	6,016	9.6%
1880	9,131	51.8%
1890	13,747	50.6%
1900	17,592	28.0%
1910	19,872	13.0%
1920	19,814	−0.3%
1930	21,109	6.5%
1940	25,640	21.5%
1950	25,797	0.6%
1960	24,901	−3.5%
1970	27,386	10.0%
1980	38,982	42.3%
1990	43,438	11.4%
2000	52,715	21.4%
2010	58,849	11.6%
2020	62,613	6.4%
2023 (est.)	63,296	7.6%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the census of 2020, there were 62,613 people, 22,573 (2015–2019) households, and families residing in the county. The population density was 121 per square mile (47/km²). There were 22,317 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.66% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

As of the census of 2010, Laurel County was 97.00% White or European American, 0.3% Native American and 0.7% Black or African American.

There were 20,353 households, out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 25.40% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,015, and the median income for a family was $31,318. Males had a median income of $27,965 versus $19,757 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,165. About 17.80% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.80% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Two public school districts serve K–12 students in the county:

Laurel County School District – Operates one preschool, 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.
East Bernstadt Independent School District – Operates a single K–8 school. High school students in the district may attend high school in either of the Laurel County district's.

Communities

Cities

Corbin (Mostly in Whitley County; part also in Knox County)
London

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable residents

Nationally bestselling author Silas House was born and raised in Laurel County.
Former University of Kentucky basketball star Jeff Sheppard who briefly played in the NBA
2000 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year Darrell Scott, who has written hit songs for the Dixie Chicks, Travis Tritt, Brad Paisley, Patty Loveless, and many others, was born in London.
Chera-Lyn Cook, the first from Southeast Kentucky to win the title of Miss Kentucky. Cook was talent winner and 4th runner-up to Miss America 1999.
Flem D. Sampson, the 42nd governor of the State of Kentucky is from Laurel County.

Laurel County, Kentucky facts for kids

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