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Mason County, Kentucky facts for kids

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Mason County
The Mason County courthouse in Maysville
The Mason County courthouse in Maysville
Map of Kentucky highlighting Mason County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Kentucky
Founded 1788
Named for George Mason
Seat Maysville
Largest city Maysville
Area
 • Total 246 sq mi (640 km2)
 • Land 240 sq mi (600 km2)
 • Water 6.3 sq mi (16 km2)  2.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 17,120
 • Estimate 
(2023)
16,841 Decrease
 • Density 69.59/sq mi (26.87/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 4th

Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,120. Its county seat is Maysville. The county was created from Bourbon County, Virginia in 1788 and named for George Mason, a Virginia delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights". Mason County comprises the Maysville, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Cincinnati-Wilmington-Maysville, OH-KY-IN Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 246 square miles (640 km2), of which 240 square miles (620 km2) is land and 6.3 square miles (16 km2) (2.6%) is water. The county's northern border with Ohio is formed by the Ohio River.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 2,729
1800 12,182 346.4%
1810 12,459 2.3%
1820 13,588 9.1%
1830 16,199 19.2%
1840 15,719 −3.0%
1850 18,344 16.7%
1860 18,222 −0.7%
1870 18,126 −0.5%
1880 20,469 12.9%
1890 20,773 1.5%
1900 20,446 −1.6%
1910 18,611 −9.0%
1920 17,760 −4.6%
1930 18,862 6.2%
1940 19,066 1.1%
1950 18,486 −3.0%
1960 18,454 −0.2%
1970 17,273 −6.4%
1980 17,765 2.8%
1990 16,666 −6.2%
2000 16,800 0.8%
2010 17,490 4.1%
2020 17,120 −2.1%
2023 (est.) 16,841 −3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,800 people, 6,847 households, and 4,697 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 per square mile (27/km2). There were 7,754 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.88% White, 7.16% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,847 households, out of which 31.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.40% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.10% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,195, and the median income for a family was $37,257. Males had a median income of $30,718 versus $21,216 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,589. About 12.90% of families and 16.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.60% of those under age 18 and 13.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated places

Education

Mason County Schools operates public schools.

Schools:

  • Mason County High School
  • Mason County Middle School
  • Mason County Intermediate School
  • Straub Elementary School

In 1990 the Maysville Independent School District merged into the Mason County school district.

Notable residents

  • Joshua Bean, first Mayor of San Diego (1850–1851).
  • Albert Sidney Johnston, Commander of the Army of the Republic of Texas, Secretary of War for Texas, Commander of the Western Department for the Confederacy. Died at the Battle of Shiloh.
  • Judge Roy Bean, Famous "Hanging Judge" of Texas (Law West of the Pecos).
  • Deron Feldhaus, member of "The Unforgettables".
  • Chris Lofton, Played basketball for the University of Tennessee. 2003 Ky. "Mr. Basketball".
  • Darius Miller, Played basketball for University of Kentucky. 2012 NCAA Champion, 2008 Ky. "Mr. Basketball." Currently plays basketball for the New Orleans Pelicans.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Mason (Kentucky) para niños

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