Jackson County, Kentucky

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 347 square miles (900 km²), of which 345 square miles (890 km²) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²) (0.4%) is water.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,495 people, 5,307 households, and 3,953 families residing in the county. The population density was 39 per square mile (15/km²). There were 6,065 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.17% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.01% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,307 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.50% were non-families. 23.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.30% 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 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $20,177, and the median income for a family was $23,638. Males had a median income of $25,087 versus $16,065 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,711. About 25.80% of families and 30.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.50% of those under age 18 and 24.10% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Elementary Schools: McKee Elementary, Sand Gap Elementary, and Tyner Elementary (Grades Preschool through 5) Tyner Elementary is the most populated elementary school in the county.

Middle Schools: Jackson County Middle School (Grades 6 through 8)

High Schools: Jackson County High School (Grades 9 through 12)

Private Institutions: Annville Christian Academy (up to grade 8), Outreach Christian Academy (up to grade 12)

Politics

In Presidential elections Jackson County has been strongly Republican for decades: indeed the Republicans have won the county at every Presidential election since Millard Fillmore won the county in 1856, which means it is an exceptional county in never having supported a Democratic candidate in history. In 1940 Wendell Willkie received over 88% of the county's vote. The county gave the Republican candidate the highest percentage in the 1928, 1948, 1960, 1976, and 1988 Presidential elections. Overall Republicans have won by solid margins in every election since 1956. Since 1992 the Republican Presidential candidate has consistently received at least 70 percent of the county's vote.

Jackson County is part of Kentucky's 5th congressional district, which has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+16 and is represented by Republican Hal Rogers. In the Kentucky House of Representatives it is in the 89th District and has been represented by Republican Marie L. Rader since 1997. In the Kentucky Senate it is in the 21st District and was represented by Republican Tom Jensen until he retired in 2012. In the 2012 election, Albert Robinson was elected to represent the 21st District. Robinson is a London, KY businessman.

City

Census-designated place

Famous residents