Mercer County
Statistics • Demographics • Local Government • Schools • Utilities

City of Harrodsburg
History • Statistics • Geography • Climate • Demographics

Mercer County

Mercer County, named after General Hugh Mercer, is a county located in Kentucky. Harrodsburg, the county seat of Mercer County, is the oldest permanent English settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Statistics:

• Founded: 1786
• County Seat: Harrodsburg
• Total Area: 253 sq mi
  • Land: 251 sq mi
  • Water: 2 sq mi
• Population:
  • As of 2000 Census: 20,817
  • Density: 83 per sq mi
• Time Zone: Eastern - UTC-5/-4
• Named for: Hugh Mercer (1726-1777)
  • Killed at the Battle of Princeton
• Coordinates: 37.80°N 84.88°W

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Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 20,817 people, 8,423 households, and 6,039 families residing in the county. The population density was 83 per square mile (32 /km2). There were 9,289 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14 /km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.00% White, 3.69% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 1.27% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 8,423 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.93.

By age, 24.40% of the population was under 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% were 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was US $35,555, and the median income for a family was $43,121. Males had a median income of $33,657 versus $22,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,972. About 10.00% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.40% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.

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Local Government

• County Judge/Executive: Milward Dedman
• County Attorney: Doug Greenburg
• District Court Judge: Jeff Dotson
• County Magistrates:
  • Alvis Johnson
  • Larry Peyton
  • JB Claunch
  • Wayne Jackson
  • Ronnie Sims
  • Bill Waggener
• County Coroner: Sonny Ransdell
• Circuit Court Judge: Darren Peckler
• Sheriff: Chris Kehrt
• Family Court Judge: Rachel Romer
• County Clerk: Chris Horn
• Circuit Clerk: Rose Bishop
• Jailer: Cleo Baker
  

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Schools:

There have been relatively few school systems in Kentucky who have merged. In 2006, Mercer County and the City of Harrodsburg school systems merged to join their resources and create a better learning environment for the students of today and tomorrow. Find out more about all the school systems in Mercer County by clicking below:

• Mercer County Schools
• Burgin Independent Schools
• Central Ky Christian School
• Hughes Jones Harrodsburg ATC
  

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Utilities:

• Electric:
  • Kentucky Utilities
    • (800) 981-0600
  • Bluegrass Energy Cooperative
    • (800) 372-7160
  • Inter-County Energy
    • (888) 266-7322
• Gas/Propane:
  • Atmos Energy
    • (800) 752-6007
  • Bright's Bottle Gas
    • (859) 748-5382
• Water:
  • City of Harrodsburg
    • (859) 734-4971
  • City of Burgin
    • (859) 748-5220
  • Lake Village Water Association
    • (859) 748-5642
  • North Mercer Water
    • (859) 865-2292

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Harrodsburg

Harrodsburg is a city and the county seat of Mercer County, Kentucky. The population was 8,014 at the 2000 census. Harrodsburg is the oldest city in Kentucky.

History:
Harrodsburg was founded in 1774 by James Harrod, the first city in Kentucky. It was initially known as Harrod's Town or Harrodstown. The settlement was abandoned as a result of attacks by Native Americans in Dunmore's War the same year, but was resettled in 1775. It was the scene of much fighting with Native Americans during the American Revolutionary War. Harrodsburg was the first seat of Kentucky County.

Harrodsburg was officially established by the Virginia legislature in 1785 and incorporated in 1836.

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Statistics:

• Founded: June 16, 1774
• Total Area: 5.3 sq mi
  • Land: 5.3 sq mi
  • Water: 0 sq mi
• Elevation: 850 ft
• Population:
  • As of 2000 Census: 8,014
  • Density: 1510.5 per sq mi
• Time Zone: Eastern - UTC-5/-4
• Zip Code: 40330
• Area Code: 859

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Geography:
Harrodsburg is located at 37°45'50"N 84°50'46"W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 sq mi, all of it land.

Climate:

During the summer, the temperatures tend to be warm and in the 70's and during the winter very cold and temperatures tend to be in the 30's.

Normally, the warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 87.4°F. The coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 25.8°F.

The temperature variation between night and day is moderate during the summer months with a difference of about 21°F. During the winter, the average difference is 19°F.

The annual precipitation is approximatly 45 inches. The amount of rainfall is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. The wettest month is May with an average rainfall of 4.68 inches.

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Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,014 people, 3,449 households, and 2,234 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,510.5 per sq mi. There were 3,709 housing units at an average density of 699.1 per sq mi. The racial makeup of the city was 88.92% White, 7.52% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.15% of the population.

There were 3,449 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 25.1% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median ago was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city ws US $27,500, and the median income for a family was $34,503. Males had a median income of $31,214 versus $21,216 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,327. About 14.2% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the pverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

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Mercer County, Kentucky, USA

State of Kentucky, USA

United States of America