Meade County, Kentucky

Coordinates: 37°59′N 86°13′W / 37.98°N 86.22°W / 37.98; -86.22
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Meade County
Meade County courthouse in Brandenburg
Meade County courthouse in Brandenburg
Flag of Meade County
Official seal of Meade County
Map of Kentucky highlighting Meade County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°59′N 86°13′W / 37.98°N 86.22°W / 37.98; -86.22
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1823
Named forJames Meade
SeatBrandenburg
Largest cityBrandenburg
Area
 • Total325 sq mi (840 km2)
 • Land305 sq mi (790 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (50 km2)  5.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total30,003
 • Estimate 
(2023)
30,131 Increase
 • Density92/sq mi (36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.meadeky.gov

Meade County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 30,003.[1] Its county seat is Brandenburg.[2] The county was founded December 17, 1823, and named for Captain James M. Meade, who was killed in action at the Battle of River Raisin during the War of 1812.[3][4][5] Meade County is part of the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Louisville/Jefferson County-Elizabethtown-Madison, KY-IN Combined Statistical Area.

Geography[edit]

View of the Ohio River in Meade County

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 325 square miles (840 km2), of which 305 square miles (790 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (5.9%) is water.[6] All 56 miles (90 km) of the county's northern border faces Indiana, across from the Ohio River.

Outdoor attractions[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18304,131
18405,78039.9%
18507,39327.9%
18608,89820.4%
18709,4856.6%
188010,3238.8%
18909,484−8.1%
190010,53311.1%
19109,783−7.1%
19209,442−3.5%
19308,042−14.8%
19408,8279.8%
19509,4226.7%
196018,938101.0%
197018,796−0.7%
198022,85421.6%
199024,1705.8%
200026,3499.0%
201028,6028.6%
202030,0034.9%
2023 (est.)30,131[7]0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2020[1]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 26,349 people, 9,470 households, and 7,396 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 per square mile (33/km2). There were 10,293 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.37% White, 4.13% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 0.83% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 2.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,470 households, out of which 42.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.10% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.90% were non-families. Of all households 18.40% were made up of individuals, and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.80% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 32.70% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 8.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,966, and the median income for a family was $40,592. Males had a median income of $30,835 versus $22,038 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,000. About 9.30% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 12.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Census-designated places[edit]

Other unincorporated places[edit]

Politics[edit]

United States presidential election results for Meade County, Kentucky[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 10,185 72.17% 3,632 25.74% 296 2.10%
2016 8,660 70.80% 3,026 24.74% 545 4.46%
2012 6,606 60.52% 4,122 37.76% 188 1.72%
2008 6,691 59.71% 4,343 38.76% 172 1.53%
2004 7,152 65.31% 3,724 34.01% 75 0.68%
2000 5,319 58.64% 3,596 39.64% 156 1.72%
1996 2,855 38.33% 3,653 49.04% 941 12.63%
1992 2,641 35.86% 3,387 45.99% 1,337 18.15%
1988 3,441 52.57% 3,079 47.04% 25 0.38%
1984 3,820 60.19% 2,503 39.44% 24 0.38%
1980 2,740 45.22% 3,205 52.90% 114 1.88%
1976 1,755 36.05% 3,030 62.24% 83 1.71%
1972 2,492 60.93% 1,541 37.68% 57 1.39%
1968 1,385 32.98% 1,926 45.86% 889 21.17%
1964 1,055 25.51% 3,076 74.37% 5 0.12%
1960 1,826 43.36% 2,385 56.64% 0 0.00%
1956 1,670 45.23% 2,016 54.60% 6 0.16%
1952 1,265 38.22% 2,040 61.63% 5 0.15%
1948 773 27.99% 1,915 69.33% 74 2.68%
1944 1,040 36.11% 1,828 63.47% 12 0.42%
1940 995 31.88% 2,114 67.73% 12 0.38%
1936 785 26.47% 2,102 70.87% 79 2.66%
1932 1,050 29.46% 2,488 69.81% 26 0.73%
1928 1,610 48.54% 1,700 51.25% 7 0.21%
1924 1,106 37.43% 1,802 60.98% 47 1.59%
1920 1,468 39.75% 2,195 59.44% 30 0.81%
1916 803 37.11% 1,317 60.86% 44 2.03%
1912 337 16.58% 1,145 56.35% 550 27.07%

Education[edit]

Most of the county is zoned to Meade County Schools,[14] which operates Meade County High School.

However people living on Fort Knox are instead zoned to the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA),[14] which operates Fort Knox Middle High School.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Meade County". Kyenc.org. Retrieved April 15, 2013.
  4. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 36.
  5. ^ Collins, Lewis (1877). History of Kentucky. p. 598.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  14. ^ a b "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Meade County, KY" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022. - Text list - "Fort Knox Dependent Schools" refers to the DoDEA schools.

External links[edit]

37°59′N 86°13′W / 37.98°N 86.22°W / 37.98; -86.22