Marion County, Kentucky

For counties with a similar name, see Marion County (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with Marion, Kentucky.

Marion County, Kentucky
Marion County courthouse in Lebanon
Location in the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location in the U.S.
Founded	1834
Named for	Francis Marion
Seat	Lebanon
Largest city	Lebanon
Area
• Total	347 sq mi (899 km2)
• Land	343 sq mi (888 km2)
• Water	3.9 sq mi (10 km2), 1.1%
Population
• (2010)	19,820
• Density	58/sq mi (22/km²)
Congressional district	1st
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.marioncounty.ky.gov

Marion County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 19,820. Its county seat is Lebanon. The county was founded in 1834 and named for Francis Marion.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 347 square miles (900 km²), of which 343 square miles (890 km²) is land and 3.9 square miles (10 km²) (1.1%) is water.

Marion County includes the geographic center of the state of Kentucky, which is located 3 miles NNW of Lebanon, just off KY 429. Marion County is Kentucky's most Catholic county. The first Catholic settlers in Kentucky came to Holy Cross in the western part of the county.

Adjacent counties

• Washington County (north)
• Boyle County (northeast)
• Casey County (southeast)
• Taylor County (south)
• LaRue County (southwest)
• Nelson County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	11,032		—
1850	11,765		6.6%
1860	12,593		7.0%
1870	12,838		1.9%
1880	14,693		14.4%
1890	15,648		6.5%
1900	16,290		4.1%
1910	16,330		0.2%
1920	15,527		−4.9%
1930	15,499		−0.2%
1940	16,913		9.1%
1950	17,212		1.8%
1960	16,887		−1.9%
1970	16,714		−1.0%
1980	17,910		7.2%
1990	16,499		−7.9%
2000	18,212		10.4%
2010	19,820		8.8%
Est. 2014	20,007		0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,212 people, 6,613 households, and 4,754 families residing in the county. The population density was 53 per square mile (20/km²). There were 7,277 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8.1/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.17% White, 9.12% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,613 households out of which 35.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.80% were married couples living together, 13.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 24.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.06.

By age, 25.20% of the population was under 18, 9.90% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.80%were 65 years or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 102.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,387, and the median income for a family was $35,648. Males had a median income of $27,826 versus $20,699 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,472. About 15.80% of families and 18.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.80% of those under age 18 and 17.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

• Bradfordsville
• Lebanon (county seat)
• Loretto
• Raywick
• Nerinx

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Kentucky