Paducah, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paducah
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City
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Broadway, Paducah Downtown Commercial District
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Location of Paducah in McCracken County, Kentucky
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 Paducah
Location in Kentucky
Paducah
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Kentucky | ||
| County | McCracken | ||
| Settled | c. 1821 | ||
| Established | 1830 | ||
| Incorporated | 1838 | ||
| Named for | the Chickasaw Tribe | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | City Manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • City | 20.75 sq mi (53.74 km2) | ||
| • Land | 20.30 sq mi (52.59 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.45 sq mi (1.15 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 341 ft (104 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • City | 27,137 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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27,205 | ||
| • Density | 1,336.60/sq mi (516.06/km2) | ||
| • Metro | 103,481 | ||
| Demonym(s) | Paducahan | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP Code |
42001-42002-42003
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 | ||
| FIPS code | 21-58836 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0500106 | ||
Paducah is a city in Kentucky, United States. It is the main city in the Jackson Purchase area. Paducah is located where the Tennessee and Ohio rivers meet. It's about halfway between St. Louis, Missouri, and Nashville, Tennessee.
In 2020, about 27,137 people lived in Paducah. The downtown area has 20 blocks that are considered historic. These blocks are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Paducah is also the main city of a larger area called the Paducah metropolitan area. This area includes several counties in Kentucky and Illinois.
Contents
History of Paducah
How Paducah Started
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Paducah was first settled around 1821 by James and William Pore. They called it "Pekin." Later, in 1827, the famous explorer William Clark planned out the town. He then renamed it Paducah.
For a long time, people thought the name came from a Chickasaw chief named "Paduke." However, experts on the Chickasaw people say there was no chief or tribe with that name. Historians now believe Clark named the town after the Comanche people. These people were known as the Padoucas by settlers.
Paducah Becomes a City and a River Hub
Paducah officially became a town in 1830. Then, in 1838, it was made a city by the state of Kentucky. By this time, steamboats were very important for travel and trade on the rivers. Paducah's port became a key place for shipping goods.
The city also grew because of railroads. A factory was built to make bricks. There was also a foundry that made parts for trains. This helped Paducah become a busy center for both river and rail transport. Many companies that operate barges on the river have their main offices here. Paducah was also important for the Illinois Central Railroad. This railroad connected cities like Chicago to the Gulf of Mexico.
In 1924, the Illinois Central Railroad started building a huge train workshop in Paducah. It was one of the biggest industrial plants in Kentucky. The railroad became the largest employer in the city. Later, these shops were changed to work on diesel locomotives instead of steam trains.
Paducah During the Civil War
At the start of the Civil War, Kentucky tried to stay neutral. But when Confederate forces took over Columbus, Union General Ulysses S. Grant moved his troops into Paducah. For most of the war, Paducah was a big supply center for Union forces.
In March 1864, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest led a raid on Paducah. This was part of his plan to get supplies and disrupt Union control. The raid, known as the Battle of Paducah, helped the Confederates get supplies. Forrest's forces also caused some damage before leaving. Much of the fighting happened near Fort Anderson. Many buildings in that area were later torn down to prevent future surprise attacks.
The Great Flood of 1937
In 1937, Paducah experienced a huge flood from the Ohio River. On January 21, the river rose very high, reaching over 60 feet. For almost three weeks, 27,000 people had to leave their homes. They stayed with friends or in shelters. You can still see plaques in downtown Paducah that show how high the water reached.
This flood was the worst natural disaster in Paducah's history. Because of it, the government decided to build a strong flood wall to protect the city. This wall still stands today.
Paducah: The Atomic City
In 1950, Paducah was chosen as the site for a new uranium enrichment plant. This plant started working in 1952. It was used to enrich uranium for various purposes. The plant was closed in June 2013. Now, efforts are underway to clean up the site.
Paducah: The Quilt City
On April 25, 1991, the National Quilt Museum opened in downtown Paducah. Paducah is now part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for its craft and folk art. This means it's recognized internationally for its art, especially quilting.
Every year, the American Quilter's Society holds a big quilt show in Paducah. It features amazing quilts from all over the country. Artists also come to Paducah through the Artist in Residencies program.
Geography and Climate
Where is Paducah Located?
Paducah covers about 20 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Paducah's Weather
Paducah has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has four clear seasons. Spring usually starts in mid-March, and summer lasts from May to September. Fall is in October and November.
The weather can change a lot, especially in spring and fall. Severe weather, like tornadoes, can happen. Winters bring a mix of rain, sleet, and snow. Summers are often hot and humid. The highest temperature ever recorded was 108°F. The lowest was -15°F. Paducah can also experience river flooding from the Ohio River.
People of Paducah
Population Changes Over Time
Paducah's population has changed quite a bit over the years.
- 1830: 105 people
- 1850: 2,428 people
- 1900: 19,446 people
- 1950: 32,828 people
- 2000: 26,307 people
- 2020: 27,137 people
Who Lives in Paducah?
In 2020, there were 27,137 people living in Paducah.
- About 66.81% of the people were White.
- About 21.99% were Black or African American.
- About 1.01% were Asian.
- About 3.86% were Hispanic or Latino.
There were over 11,330 households in the city. About 26.1% of these households had children under 18. The average age of people in Paducah was 41.4 years old.
Economy and Jobs
Several companies have their main offices in Paducah. These include Dippin' Dots ice cream and the Paducah & Louisville Railway. Many barge companies also have their headquarters here.
The river is still very important for Paducah's economy. The city opened a new boat dock in 2017. This dock helps bring more tourists to the city by providing a place for boats to stop.
A federal National Weather Service office is also located in Paducah. It provides weather information for a large area across several states.
Main Employers in Paducah
The biggest employers in Paducah are in healthcare and education.
- Bon Secours Mercy Health, Inc. (Healthcare)
- Baptist Healthcare Systems (Healthcare)
- Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. (Retail)
- Paducah Board of Education (Education)
- West Kentucky Community & Technical College (Education)
- City of Paducah (Government)
Arts and Culture
Art in Paducah
Murals on the Floodwall
Since 1996, artists have been painting large murals on the floodwall in downtown Paducah. There are more than 50 murals that show different parts of Paducah's history. These include Native American history, river industries, and steamboats.
A British artist named Ian Berry even came to Paducah in 2018. He is famous for making art out of denim, which fit well with Paducah's textile art scene.
Lower Town Artist Program
In 2000, Paducah started a program to encourage artists to move to its historic downtown and Lower Town areas. This program offers special benefits to artists. It has become a national example of how art can help a city grow.
Lower Town is the oldest neighborhood in Paducah. The artist program helped restore old Victorian buildings. This has helped bring new life to the downtown area.
UNESCO Creative City Status
In 2013, UNESCO named Paducah a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. This honor recognizes Paducah's strong focus on arts and culture. It highlights programs like the Lower Town Artist Relocation program, the National Quilt Museum, and the floodwall murals.
Music and Entertainment
The Luther F. Carson Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2004. It hosts many different shows, from Broadway plays to concerts.
Paducah also has a rich musical history. Famous African-American musicians like Louis Armstrong and B.B. King performed here. They were part of what was known as the "Chitlin' Circuit."
Many musicians are from Paducah, including Steven Curtis Chapman, a top Christian music artist. Paducah is even mentioned in the famous song "Hooray for Hollywood."
Sports in Paducah
Paducah has been home to several minor league baseball teams. These teams played in the Kentucky–Illinois–Tennessee League. The Paducah Chiefs played in J. Polk Brooks Stadium, which is still used today for high school and college baseball games.
In 1969, the Paducah Community College Indians won the national junior college men's basketball championship. The Paducah International Raceway is a motorsport racetrack built in 1972.
Education
Public Schools
Paducah Public Schools runs the public schools in most of the city. There are three elementary schools: Clark, McNabb, and Morgan. All students in the district go to Paducah Middle School and Paducah Tilghman High School.
Some parts of the city are served by McCracken County Public Schools. This district has several elementary and middle schools. In 2013, the county opened a single, large McCracken County High School.
Private Schools
Paducah also has two private school systems: St. Mary High School and Community Christian Academy.
Colleges and Universities
West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) is a two-year college in Paducah. It has about 6,200 students. WKCTC has been named one of the top 10 community colleges in the U.S. multiple times.
The University of Kentucky College of Engineering also has a campus in Paducah. Murray State University has a campus here too, offering many bachelor's and master's degree programs.
Public Library
The McCracken County Public Library is the main lending library for Paducah.
Transportation
River Port
The Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority helps manage river transport. It handles different types of cargo, like farm products and containers. It's an important port on the Ohio River.
Air Travel
Barkley Regional Airport (PAH) serves the area. It offers flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). CLT is one of the busiest airports in the world. Barkley Regional Airport is currently building a new terminal.
Local Transit
The Paducah Area Transit System (PATS) provides bus services in and around the city. Buses run Monday through Saturday.
Major Roads
Interstate 24 is a major highway that goes west to St. Louis and east to Nashville.
Interstate 69 is planned to connect Paducah north to Indianapolis and south to Memphis.
US 60 runs through Paducah.
US 45 connects Paducah to Brookport, Illinois, and Mayfield.
US 62 connects to Cairo, Illinois, and Calvert City, Kentucky.
US 68 connects to places like the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
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Famous People from Paducah
- Alben W. Barkley: He was the 35th Vice President of the United States.
- Steven Curtis Chapman: A very popular Christian music singer.
- Joseph "'Jumpin' Joe" Clifton: A Navy officer who became a Rear Admiral.
- Irvin S. Cobb: A famous author and humorist.
- Robert H. Grubbs: Won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
- Callie Khouri: A screenwriter and director who won an Academy Award for Thelma and Louise.
- Kenny Perry: A professional golfer.
- Boots Randolph: A saxophonist famous for "Yakety Sax."
- Jeri Ryan: An actress known for her roles in Star Trek: Voyager.
- John Scopes: A teacher involved in the famous "Scopes Trial."
- Lloyd Tilghman: A Confederate general during the Civil War.
- Rumer Willis: An actress and daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.
See also
In Spanish: Paducah (Kentucky) para niños
