Pendleton County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pendleton County
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Pendleton County courthouse in Falmouth
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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 | 1798 |
| Named for | Edmund Pendleton |
| Seat | Falmouth |
| Largest city | Falmouth |
| Area | |
| • Total | 282 sq mi (730 km2) |
| • Land | 277 sq mi (720 km2) |
| • Water | 4.8 sq mi (12 km2) 1.7% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,644 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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14,810  |
| • Density | 51.93/sq mi (20.05/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 4th |
Pendleton County is a county in the state of Kentucky. In 2020, about 14,644 people lived there. The main town, or county seat, is Falmouth. This county was started on December 13, 1798. Pendleton County is part of the larger Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN area.
Contents
History of Pendleton County
Pendleton County was formed in 1798. It was made from parts of Campbell and Bracken counties. The county got its name from Edmund Pendleton. He was an important person in Virginia's government for a long time. He also served in the Continental Congress.
Falmouth: The County Seat
Falmouth, the county seat, started as a small settlement around 1776. It was first known as Forks of Licking. Falmouth officially became a town in 1793. People from Falmouth, Virginia, settled here and gave it its name. One of Kentucky's first sawmills was built in Falmouth in 1793. Falmouth was chosen as the county seat in 1799. The county courthouse, where important county business happens, was built in 1848.
Pendleton County During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, people from Pendleton County joined both sides. A camp for the Union Army was set up in Falmouth in 1861. Some Confederate recruiters were captured and executed by Union soldiers. This happened in the Peach Grove area. In 1862, Union troops gathered some county citizens. They suspected them of supporting the Confederates. In 1863, some women were arrested. They were thought to be spies against the U.S. government. A small fight happened in Falmouth on September 18, 1862. It was between Confederates and local Home Guardsmen.
Butler: A Railroad Town
The city of Butler was founded around 1852. This happened when the Kentucky Central Railroad was built through the area. The city was named after William O. Butler. He was a U.S. congressman from the region. Butler officially became a city on February 1, 1868.
Geography and Location
Pendleton County covers about 282 square miles. Most of this is land, about 277 square miles. The rest, about 4.8 square miles, is water. The county's border to the northeast is the Ohio River. This river separates Kentucky from Ohio.
Neighboring Counties
Pendleton County shares borders with several other counties:
- Kenton County (to the northwest)
- Campbell County (to the north)
- Clermont County, Ohio (to the northeast)
- Bracken County (to the east)
- Harrison County (to the south)
- Grant County (to the west)
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 1,613 | — | |
| 1810 | 3,061 | 89.8% | |
| 1820 | 3,086 | 0.8% | |
| 1830 | 3,863 | 25.2% | |
| 1840 | 4,455 | 15.3% | |
| 1850 | 6,774 | 52.1% | |
| 1860 | 10,443 | 54.2% | |
| 1870 | 14,030 | 34.3% | |
| 1880 | 16,702 | 19.0% | |
| 1890 | 16,346 | −2.1% | |
| 1900 | 14,947 | −8.6% | |
| 1910 | 11,985 | −19.8% | |
| 1920 | 11,719 | −2.2% | |
| 1930 | 10,876 | −7.2% | |
| 1940 | 10,392 | −4.5% | |
| 1950 | 9,610 | −7.5% | |
| 1960 | 9,968 | 3.7% | |
| 1970 | 9,949 | −0.2% | |
| 1980 | 10,989 | 10.5% | |
| 1990 | 12,036 | 9.5% | |
| 2000 | 14,390 | 19.6% | |
| 2010 | 14,877 | 3.4% | |
| 2020 | 14,644 | −1.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 14,810 | −0.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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In 2000, there were 14,390 people living in Pendleton County. About 5,170 households and 3,970 families called it home. The county had about 51 people per square mile. Many households, 39%, had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.75 people. The average family had 3.14 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 28.4% were under 18 years old. About 10.4% were 65 years or older. The average age was 34 years old. For every 100 females, there were about 100 males.
Education in Pendleton County
Pendleton County has several schools for students.
Pendleton County High School
Pendleton County High School is the public high school. It is located just north of Falmouth. The school has fewer than 1,000 students. Its mascot is the Wildcat. The school colors are red, black, and white. The high school has two gyms and an auditorium with 450 seats.
Other Schools
Other schools in the county include:
- Sharp Middle School: This school is named after Phillip Allen Sharp. He was a famous scientist who won the Nobel Prize. It is located between Falmouth and Butler.
- Northern Elementary: This elementary school is in Butler.
- Southern Elementary: This elementary school is in Falmouth.
Pendleton County Public Library
The Pendleton County Public Library is in Falmouth. Its address is 801 Robbins Avenue. The library offers computers with fast internet. It also has free Wi-Fi. You can copy or fax documents there. The library also has a meeting room that groups can reserve.
Culture and Famous People
Pendleton County is known for a few cultural events and has been home to some notable people.
Local Attractions
- The Kentucky Wool Festival: This is a popular event in the county.
- Griffin Center Amphitheater: An outdoor performance venue.
- Kincaid Regional Theatre: A local theater group.
Famous People from Pendleton County
- Phillip Allen Sharp: He was born in Falmouth. He won the Nobel Prize for his work on genes. His discoveries changed how scientists understand how genes are built.
- J. M. Lelen: He was a pastor at St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Falmouth for many years.
- Beth Broderick: An actress, she was born in Falmouth. She is known for her role in the TV show Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
- Nate Jones: He was a professional baseball player. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2007. He also played for the Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Samuel Thomas Hauser: Born in Falmouth, he became the first resident to serve as the territorial governor of Montana.
- John Merritt: He was a successful American football coach. He coached at Jackson State University and Tennessee State.
Communities in Pendleton County
Pendleton County has two main cities and one unincorporated community.
Cities
Unincorporated Community
