Mercer County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mercer County
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Mercer County Courthouse in Harrodsburg
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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 | 1785 |
| Named for | Hugh Mercer |
| Seat | Harrodsburg |
| Largest city | Harrodsburg |
| Area | |
| • Total | 253 sq mi (660 km2) |
| • Land | 249 sq mi (640 km2) |
| • Water | 4.5 sq mi (12 km2) 1.8%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 22,641 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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23,097  |
| • Density | 89.49/sq mi (34.55/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
Mercer County is a special area in the central part of Kentucky, a state in the United States. It's called a county, which is like a smaller region within a state. In 2020, about 22,641 people lived here.
The main town and government center of Mercer County is Harrodsburg. The county was created in 1785 from a larger area called Lincoln County, Virginia. It was named after Hugh Mercer, a brave general from the American Revolutionary War. He sadly passed away in 1777 during the Battle of Princeton. For a long time, Mercer County was a dry county, meaning alcohol sales were restricted.
Contents
History of Mercer County
Harrodsburg holds a special place in Kentucky's history. It was the very first city to be officially recognized in what was then called Kentucky County, Virginia. This area later became the 15th state in the U.S. Harrodsburg was first the main town for Lincoln County. But when Mercer County was formed, Harrodsburg became its new county seat.
A unique place in Mercer County is Pleasant Hill, also known as Shakertown. This was once home to a community of people called Shakers. They were very active, especially before the American Civil War. Today, Shakertown is a National Historic Landmark. It has over 30 old buildings and lots of farmland and parks to explore.
Mercer County and the Civil War
During the American Civil War, people in Mercer County had different feelings about the war. Some supported the Union (the North), and others supported the Confederate Army (the South). The Union was able to form two regiments here: the 19th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and the 11th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry. Many men from the county also joined the Confederate Army.
After a big fight called the Battle of Perryville, many towns, including Harrodsburg, became makeshift hospitals. About 1,600 injured Confederate soldiers were captured in Harrodsburg in October 1862. The city then remained under military rule for the rest of the war.
Railroads and World War II
The Louisville Southern Railroad arrived in Harrodsburg in 1888. This railway connected Harrodsburg to other cities like Louisville. It helped people and goods travel more easily. Today, these railway lines are operated by the Norfolk Southern Railway.
Mercer County also played a part in World War II. A group of soldiers from Harrodsburg, Company D of the 192nd Tank Battalion, bravely fought in the Battle of Bataan.
Geography
Mercer County covers a total area of about 253 square miles. Most of this is land (249 square miles), and a small part is water (4.5 square miles).
The county is located in the central part of Kentucky. It is known for being in the beautiful Bluegrass region. This area is famous for its rolling hills and rich soil.
Neighboring Counties
Mercer County shares its borders with several other counties:
- Anderson County (to the north)
- Woodford County (to the northeast)
- Jessamine County (to the east)
- Garrard County (to the southeast)
- Boyle County (to the south)
- Washington County (to the west)
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 7,091 | — | |
| 1800 | 9,646 | 36.0% | |
| 1810 | 12,630 | 30.9% | |
| 1820 | 15,587 | 23.4% | |
| 1830 | 17,694 | 13.5% | |
| 1840 | 18,720 | 5.8% | |
| 1850 | 14,067 | −24.9% | |
| 1860 | 13,701 | −2.6% | |
| 1870 | 13,144 | −4.1% | |
| 1880 | 14,142 | 7.6% | |
| 1890 | 15,034 | 6.3% | |
| 1900 | 14,426 | −4.0% | |
| 1910 | 14,063 | −2.5% | |
| 1920 | 14,795 | 5.2% | |
| 1930 | 14,471 | −2.2% | |
| 1940 | 14,629 | 1.1% | |
| 1950 | 14,643 | 0.1% | |
| 1960 | 14,596 | −0.3% | |
| 1970 | 15,960 | 9.3% | |
| 1980 | 19,011 | 19.1% | |
| 1990 | 19,148 | 0.7% | |
| 2000 | 20,817 | 8.7% | |
| 2010 | 21,331 | 2.5% | |
| 2020 | 22,641 | 6.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 23,097 | 8.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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The population of Mercer County has changed a lot over the years. In 2000, there were about 20,817 people living here. The county had about 83 people per square mile.
The median age in the county in 2000 was 38 years old. This means half the people were younger than 38, and half were older. About 24.4% of the population was under 18 years old.
Notable People from Mercer County
Many interesting people have come from Mercer County:
- Ralph G. Anderson – A successful businessman and generous giver to charity.
- Jacqueline Coleman – The 58th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, serving since 2019.
- Maria Thompson Daviess (1872–1924) – A well-known author.
- Jason Dunn – A professional football player in the National Football League.
- David Winfield Huddleston – A Christian author and minister.
- Rachel Jackson – The wife of President Andrew Jackson.
- Frances Wisebart Jacobs – A kind person known for her charity work.
- Ann O'Delia Diss Debar – A famous medium and sometimes a criminal in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Dennis Johnson – Another professional football player.
- William Logan – A politician.
- Beriah Magoffin – A former Governor of Kentucky (1859–1862). A county in Kentucky is named after him!
- William Sullivan – A politician and lawyer.
- John Burton Thompson – A politician.
- Al Wilson – An actor and stunt pilot.
- Craig Yeast – A professional football player.
- John Adair – A politician who served in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. He was also a governor of Kentucky.
Fun Places to Visit
Mercer County has some great attractions:
- Old Fort Harrod State Park – Here you can see a rebuilt version of Fort Harrod. This was the very first permanent settlement in Kentucky!
- Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill – This is like a living museum where you can learn about the Shaker community and how they lived.
- Herrington Lake – A beautiful lake perfect for outdoor activities.
Communities in Mercer County
Mercer County has several towns and communities:
Cities
Census-designated place
Other Communities
Former Town
- Hilltop – This is a ghost town, meaning it's no longer inhabited.
Education
Students in Mercer County attend schools in these districts:
- Burgin Independent School District
- Mercer County Schools
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Mercer (Kentucky) para niños
