Simpson County, Kentucky Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Simpson County
U.S. county
Old Simpson County Courthouse in Franklin
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
Founded	1819
Named for	John Simpson
Seat	Franklin
Largest city	Franklin
Area
• Total	236 sq mi (610 km²)
• Land	234 sq mi (610 km²)
• Water	2.3 sq mi (6 km²) 1.0%
Population (2020)
• Total	19,594
• Estimate (2023)	20,195
• Density	83.03/sq mi (32.06/km²)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	1st

Simpson County is a county located in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the total population was 19,594. Its county seat is Franklin.

History
Geography
- Adjacent counties
Demographics
Communities
- City
- Unincorporated communities
See also

History

Simpson County was established in 1819 from Allen, Logan, and Warren Counties. The county is named for Captain John Simpson, a Kentucky militia officer who fought in Battle of Fallen Timbers in the Northwest Indian War, and was killed during the War of 1812 in the Battle of River Raisin.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 236 square miles (610 km²), of which 234 square miles (610 km²) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²) (1.0%) is water. The county is located in the Pennyroyal Plateau region of the state.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	4,852	—
1830	5,815	19.8%
1840	6,537	12.4%
1850	7,733	18.3%
1860	8,146	5.3%
1870	9,573	17.5%
1880	10,641	11.2%
1890	10,878	2.2%
1900	11,624	6.9%
1910	11,460	−1.4%
1920	11,150	−2.7%
1930	11,336	1.7%
1940	11,752	3.7%
1950	11,678	−0.6%
1960	11,548	−1.1%
1970	13,054	13.0%
1980	14,673	12.4%
1990	15,145	3.2%
2000	16,405	8.3%
2010	17,327	5.6%
2020	19,594	13.1%
2023 (est.)	20,195	16.6%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020

As of the census of 2000, there were 16,405 people, 6,415 households, and 4,638 families residing in the county. The population density was 70 per square mile (27/km²). There were 7,016 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.84% White, 10.22% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 6,415 households, out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,432, and the median income for a family was $42,525. Males had a median income of $32,160 versus $22,667 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,150. About 8.50% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Franklin (county seat)

Simpson County, Kentucky facts for kids

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