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Simpson County, Kentucky facts for kids

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Simpson County
Old Simpson County Courthouse in Franklin
Old Simpson County Courthouse in Franklin
Map of Kentucky highlighting Simpson County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting 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 Increase
 • 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

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

Unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Simpson (Kentucky) para niños

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