Owen County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Owen County
|
|
|---|---|
Owen County courthouse in Owenton
|
|
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
|
|
 Kentucky's location within the U.S. |
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 1819 |
| Named for | Abraham Owen |
| Seat | Owenton |
| Largest city | Owenton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 354 sq mi (920 km2) |
| • Land | 351 sq mi (910 km2) |
| • Water | 3.1 sq mi (8 km2) 0.9% |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 11,278 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
11,313  |
| • Density | 31.86/sq mi (12.301/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
Owen County is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. A county is like a smaller region within a state, often with its own local government. Its main town, called the county seat, is Owenton. The county is named after Colonel Abraham Owen, an important figure in Kentucky's early history.
Contents
History of Owen County
Long ago, many Native Americans lived in the area that is now Owen County. They left behind burial mounds, which are special places where they buried their dead. Later, many pioneers, who were early settlers, built their homes here. They often chose land near the many streams that flow through the county.
Owen County officially became the 63rd county in Kentucky on February 6, 1819. It was created from parts of four other counties: Franklin, Scott, Gallatin, and Pendleton. The very first county seat, or main town, was called Hesler (also known as Heslerville).
The county was named to honor Abraham Owen. He was a brave soldier who fought in battles against Native American groups and also helped make laws for Kentucky. Sadly, he was killed in a battle called the Battle of Tippecanoe. Colonel Owen also helped explore and map out the land that would become Owen County.
After Owen County was first formed, some changes were made to its borders. Because of these changes, Hesler was no longer in the middle of the county. So, on January 15, 1822, the county leaders decided to move the county seat to new land. This new town became known as Owenton, and court meetings began there on February 11, 1822.
In the 1840s, Kentucky built special structures called locks and dams on the Kentucky River. These helped boats travel more easily. Because of this, large boats called packet boats started making regular trips between Frankfort and Louisville. They would stop in Owen County at towns like Monterey, Moxley, and Gratz. Another town, New Liberty, was founded even earlier, before 1800, and was home to one of the first churches in the area.
In the 1870s, after the American Civil War, a brave officer named Deputy U.S. Marshall Willis Russell worked hard in Owen County. He tried to stop groups that were causing trouble and being unfair to former slaves. Sadly, Russell was killed in 1875 by someone unknown. His efforts were part of a larger time in history called Reconstruction, when the country was trying to rebuild and ensure everyone had equal rights.
Geography of Owen County
Owen County covers a total area of about 354 square miles (917 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 351 square miles (909 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 3.1 square miles (8 square kilometers), is water.
Counties Nearby
Owen County shares its borders with several other counties:
- Carroll County (to the northwest)
- Gallatin County (to the northeast)
- Grant County (to the east)
- Scott County (to the southeast)
- Franklin County (to the southwest)
- Henry County (to the west)
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,031 | — | |
| 1830 | 5,786 | 184.9% | |
| 1840 | 8,232 | 42.3% | |
| 1850 | 10,444 | 26.9% | |
| 1860 | 12,719 | 21.8% | |
| 1870 | 14,309 | 12.5% | |
| 1880 | 17,401 | 21.6% | |
| 1890 | 17,676 | 1.6% | |
| 1900 | 17,553 | −0.7% | |
| 1910 | 14,248 | −18.8% | |
| 1920 | 12,554 | −11.9% | |
| 1930 | 10,710 | −14.7% | |
| 1940 | 10,942 | 2.2% | |
| 1950 | 9,755 | −10.8% | |
| 1960 | 8,237 | −15.6% | |
| 1970 | 7,470 | −9.3% | |
| 1980 | 8,924 | 19.5% | |
| 1990 | 9,035 | 1.2% | |
| 2000 | 10,547 | 16.7% | |
| 2010 | 10,841 | 2.8% | |
| 2020 | 11,278 | 4.0% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 11,313 | 4.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2021 |
|||
Based on the census from 2010, there were 10,841 people living in Owen County. The population density was about 30.9 people for every square mile. In 2020, the population had grown to 11,278 people.
Libraries in Owen County
The Owen County Public Library is located in downtown Owenton. It was started in 1946 by a local women's club. The first library was in a part of Elizabeth Holbrook Thomas's home. The current library building was built in 1973.
The library has a collection of more than 25,000 items, including books and a special collection for learning about family history. It also offers services like printing, sending faxes, and a public room for meetings. Recently, the old library building became a center for older adults, and a new, bigger library was built on the edge of Owenton.
Communities in Owen County
Cities
Other Communities
- Hesler
- Long Ridge
- Lusby's Mill
- New Columbus
- New Liberty
- Perry Park
- Pleasant Home
- Squiresville
- Wheatley
Images for kids
-
Owen County courthouse in Owenton
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Owen (Kentucky) para niños
