Russellville, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russellville, Kentucky
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Logan County courthouse in Russellville, Kentucky
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Location in Logan County, Kentucky
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Logan |
| Established | 1800 |
| Incorporated | 1840 |
| Named for | a local landowner |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.87 sq mi (28.14 km2) |
| • Land | 10.84 sq mi (28.08 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,164 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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7,282 |
| • Density | 660.76/sq mi (255.12/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
42276
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 |
| FIPS code | 21-67512 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0502534 |
Russellville is a city in Logan County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the main town and government center of Logan County. In 2010, about 6,960 people lived there.
History
Some historians believe the area was first settled around 1780. It was known by names like "Big Boiling Spring." However, written records only show people living there from 1790. That year, William Cook and his wife built "Cook's Cabin." This community was about one mile east of where Russellville is today.
In 1792, the community became the main town for the new Logan County. It was then called "Logan Court House." General William Russell received a large piece of land here for his service in the American Revolution. In 1795, he gave some of his land for the town. The town was renamed Russellville in his honor in 1798. It officially became a town in 1810 and a city in 1840.
In the early 1800s, many important leaders lived in Russellville. Four homes still stand that belonged to future governors of Kentucky. These include John Breathitt, James Morehead, John J. Crittenden, and Charles S. Morehead.
During the Civil War, Kentucky tried to stay neutral. However, many people in western Kentucky supported the Confederacy. In 1861, Confederate soldiers were in the area. Delegates from many counties met in Russellville. They formed a separate Confederate government for Kentucky. George W. Johnson was chosen as their governor. This government was recognized by the Confederacy. Kentucky was even shown with a star on the Confederate flag. There were small battles in and around Russellville during the war.
After the war, some groups caused trouble. In 1868, a group of former Confederate fighters robbed a bank in Russellville. This group included Cole Younger and others. The famous outlaw brothers Frank and Jesse James might have been involved too. Today, a large painting in Russellville shows this bank robbery. Every year, during the city's Tobacco and Heritage Festival, people act out the robbery.
Many old homes downtown are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of these is the Victorian Mansion. It was special because it had the first indoor bathroom in Kentucky.
Geography
Russellville is located in the middle of Logan County. The city covers about 10.8 square miles (28.1 square kilometers). Only a very small part of this area is water. The city is built among small hills. It is in the valley of Town Branch, a stream that flows into the Mud River. The Mud River is part of the Green River system, which flows into the Ohio River.
Major roads like U.S. Routes 68, 79, and 431 pass through Russellville. The closest major highway is I-165, about 24 miles northeast.
Climate
Russellville has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 117 | — | |
| 1810 | 532 | 354.7% | |
| 1830 | 1,358 | — | |
| 1840 | 1,196 | −11.9% | |
| 1850 | 1,272 | 6.4% | |
| 1860 | 1,089 | −14.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,843 | 69.2% | |
| 1880 | 2,058 | 11.7% | |
| 1890 | 2,253 | 9.5% | |
| 1900 | 2,591 | 15.0% | |
| 1910 | 3,111 | 20.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,124 | 0.4% | |
| 1930 | 3,297 | 5.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,983 | 20.8% | |
| 1950 | 4,529 | 13.7% | |
| 1960 | 5,861 | 29.4% | |
| 1970 | 6,456 | 10.2% | |
| 1980 | 7,520 | 16.5% | |
| 1990 | 7,454 | −0.9% | |
| 2000 | 7,149 | −4.1% | |
| 2010 | 6,960 | −2.6% | |
| 2020 | 7,164 | 2.9% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 7,282 | 4.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 7,149 people living in Russellville. There were 3,064 households. About 27.4% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.26 people. The average family had 2.84 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 23.7% were under 18. About 18.0% were 65 or older. The average age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were about 82.6 males.
Economy
Russellville is in an area with a lot of farms. However, the city also has factories. They make many different things, from pet food to plastic items. The biggest employer in the area is Logan Aluminum. It provides jobs for over 1,300 people.
Education
Russellville has a public library. It is a part of the Logan County Public Library system.
Notable people
- Philip Alston, an early settler
- Athena Cage, a singer and songwriter
- Ann Mary Butler Crittenden Coleman, an author and translator
- George B. Crittenden, a general in the Confederate Army
- John J. Crittenden, a U.S. Attorney General and Kentucky governor
- Thomas L. Crittenden, a general in the Union Army
- Alice Allison Dunnigan, the first African American female reporter for Congress
- William Jefferson Hardin, a black legislator
- Elijah Hise, a congressman from Kentucky
- Joseph Jefferson, an NFL player
- Holly Goddard Jones, a novelist
- Finis McLean, a congressman from Kentucky
- Andre Morris, a former world record holder in track and field
- Elijah Hise Norton, a congressman from Missouri
- Presley O'Bannon, a United States Marine Corps officer and war hero
- Kelley Paul, a writer and wife of U.S. Senator Rand Paul
- Jim Price, a former NBA player
- Mike Price, a basketball player
- Green Pinckney Russell, a teacher and college president
- Fletcher Stockdale, a governor of Texas
- Mark Thompson (pitcher), a MLB player
- Bubba Wells, a former NBA player
- Terrence W. Wilcutt, a NASA astronaut
See also
In Spanish: Russellville (Kentucky) para niños
