Bourbon County, Kentucky
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Bourbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 19,360. Its county seat is Paris, Kentucky6. It is best known for being the birthplace of bourbon whiskey.
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History
Bourbon County, Kentucky actually began as Bourbon County, Virginia in 1785, when it was created from Fayette County, Kentucky (previously also in Virginia). It comprised a much larger area than the present-day Bourbon County; the rest of its former territory is now divided between the following present-day Kentucky counties: Bracken, Boone, Campbell, Clark, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Harrison, Kenton, Mason, Montgomery, Lewis, Nicholas, Pendleton, Powell, and Robertson.
Bourbon whiskey, named for the county, was first distilled within its borders by the Rev. Elijah Craig in the early 19th century. Whiskey distilling was important to the economy of frontier Kentucky because it provided a means of converting corn and grain, then difficult to transport to distant markets, into a value-added product that could be profitably transported to markets as distant as New Orleans. Formerly by US law, for a whiskey to call itself "Kentucky Bourbon whiskey" it must have been made within the original borders of Bourbon County from a grain mash of no less than 51% corn. Now however the geographic restriction has been eased (the various other qualifications must still be met); "Kentucky Bourbon whiskey" can now be made anywhere within the state of Kentucky. Indeed, there are not currently (as of 2005) any operating distilleries in the county, and the well-known Kentucky bourbons are distilled instead in Marion, Woodford, and Bullitt counties, among others.
The county is home to several renowned thoroughbred race horse farms. Principal among these is Claiborne Farm. The famous Triple-Crown winning stallion Secretariat resided at the farm during his breeding career. Since its establishment, the farm has been home to the year's leading North American thoroughbred stallion (judged by racing earnings for its progeny) 18 times.
Industrial hemp for rope and bagging was at one time a major crop in the county. The criminalization of marijuana after World War I (briefly suspended during World War II) meant the end of this crop and its related industries. Some local farmers have joined the growing movement to de-criminalize industrial hemp, but the potential economic impact of such legislation, should it ever be enacted, remains a matter for debate.
Burley tobacco was a major crop until the 1990's, when increased competition from growers in the developing world and an uncertain future for the federal tobacco price support program caused many farmers to abandon the crop or sharply reduce investment in it.
Today, cattle farming is the dominant agricultural enterprise in the county after thorougbred horses. Long an important component of diversified agriculture in the county, cattle have come to dominate the operations of local farmers.
Employment in the county is increasingly industrial. One of the county's largest private employers is an automotive parts production facility.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755 km² (292 mi²). 755 km² (291 mi²) of it is land and 1 km² (0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.08% water.
There are no sizable lakes in the county, but several streams. Primary among these is Stoner Creek, on which the county seat is situated. This large stream is a principal tributary of the South Fork of the Licking River.
The county's topography is predominantly gently rolling hills. Due to agricultural development, very little of the county's land area can be characterized as forested, though deciduous trees are a common feature of the landscape.
Adjacent counties
- Harrison County (northwest)
- Nicholas County (northeast)
- Bath County (east)
- Montgomery County (southeast)
- Clark County (south)
- Fayette County (southwest)
- Scott County (west)
Demographics
| Bourban County Population by year | |
|
2000 19,360 | |
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 19,360 people, 7,681 households, and 5,445 families residing in the county. The population density was 26/km² (66/mi²). There were 8,349 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (29/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.38% White, 6.94% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.36% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 2.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,681 households out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.70% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.00% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,038, and the median income for a family was $42,294. Males had a median income of $30,989 versus $23,467 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,335. 14.00% of the population and 12.30% of families were below the poverty line. 19.10% of those under the age of 18 and 11.90% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Cities and towns
See also
- Places named for Bourbon County, Kentucky
