Oldham County, Kentucky
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Scenes from Hite Creek on January 18, 2006 |
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Oldham County, Kentucky was formed in 1824. It is located in the Outer Bluegrass region of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 420 to 920 feet above sea level.
The county covers a total land area of 189 square miles--a total of approximately 121,664 land acres. The Ohio River forms the northwest boundary of the county. Louisville lies about 20 miles to its west. Interstate 71 runs the length of the county. Oldham County's 2000 population was 46,178 according to the 2000 Census and exceeds 53,000 as of July 2005.
Oldham County experienced a 38.8% population increase from 1990-2000 and was Kentucky's fifth fastest growing county the past decade. The 1998 Per Capita Income was $29,802--the highest in the State.
(Note: The following information was extracted primarily from the Kentucky Atlas and Gazetteer)
The Bluegrass region of Kentucky is located near the center of the state and is bordered by the Ohio River in the north and west and a ring of hills known as the Knobs in the west, south, and east. It is a rolling plateau that becomes more rugged near the edges. The underlying limestone is often visible at the surface in road cuts and where eroded by streams, most dramatically in the Kentucky River Palisades.
The region is named for Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), which has been extensively used in pastures here. The details of the introduction of bluegrass to the area are obscure, but it is probably of Eurasian origin and arrived in central Kentucky before the first European settlers.
The Bluegrass region was the most quickly settled part of the state and now is home to about half the state's population. The largest cities, including Louisville, Lexington, and the urban area of northern Kentucky are located here.
La Grange, the seat of Oldham County, is located in the eastern part of the county near the junction of I-71 and KY 53. It was founded in 1827 at the crossing of the Shelbyville-Westport road and the Louisville-New Castle road and named for the home of General Lafayette. La Grange was established to be the county seat, which had been located at Westport. It was moved to La Grange in 1827, back to Westport in 1828, and back to La Grange again in 1838. The La Grange post office opened in 1828. The population in 1990 was 3,853.
The County is characterized by its diverse and distinctive landscapes. Along with its people, the countryside is probably its greatest asset, one which should be nurtured for its inestimable value to its residents and the economy, and its potential to sustain and inspire future generations.
The variety of vegetative cover is determined by the bedrock of the area which is mainly limestone and calcareous shales. Much of the landscape is dominated by karst geomorphology. These resources have been exploited by man beginning with the native Indians and during the past 200 years have provided a colorful, cultural legacy. The Ohio River was the first focus for settlement. Westport, as mentioned above, was the first county seat, but it was later moved to La Grange with the arrival of the railroad. While the river remained important for transportation, agriculture and the railroad remained the main focus of people's lives.
Alongside wooded hills, valleys and streams there are spectacular outcrops of limestone and grassy plains on a variety of soils now cleared of their native woodland. The steep slopes have survived as wooded valleys and creeks. The settlement by humans here has necessarily altered the natural form to create distinctive and valuable features. The farmed areas have produced a variety of crops including grapes and tobacco. Some valuable habitats have survived the intensification of agriculture, but much has been lost. Of the 760 animal species in Kentucky, 36 are considered as federally endangered, threatened or proposed as such. Another 153 are of at least special concern. Of the 278 animal species present in Oldham County, 7 are federally endangered or threatened, state endangered or threatened or of special concern.
Latest Census Bureau statistics show Oldham County's growth rate remains near the top of Kentucky counties: Population estimated at 55,285 as of July 1, 2006
2000 Census Data Released on May 17,2001: The initial Census Bureau data for the Commonwealth of Kentucky were released on March 20, 2001. Oldham County's official 2000 population was 46,178 - a 38.8 percent increase over the 1990 county population of 33,263. Additional releases of more detailed data have been made to include Profiles of General Demographic Characteristics released on May 17.
In terms of percentage growth, Oldham County ranked 5th in the State, although for counties with a 1990 population of 20,000 or more, Oldham County ranked 2nd behind Boone County, which grew 49.3%. Oldham County ranks 164th out of 3,141 counties nationwide in percentage growth the past decade (top 5%).
The overall population growth of 12,915 recorded since the 1990 census placed Oldham County 7th among the Commonwealth's 120 counties. The county's numeric population growth placed it 489th out of 3,141 counties nationwide.
Oldham County's population per square mile increased from 175.8 in 1990 (10th in the State) to 244.06 in 2000 (8th in the State). Of the ten most densely populated counties in the Commonwealth, only Jefferson, Fayette, and Boone Counties absorbed more people per square mile than Oldham County the past ten years.
Married-couple families comprise 71.5% of Oldham County households compared to 51.7% of U.S. households.
The average household size is 2.85 individuals and the average family size is 3.17 persons.
The total housing units for the county was 15,541--a 37.8 percent increase from 1990, which mirrored the overall population growth during the period.
The population increase in the county exceeded the projections used during the drafting of the current 1992 Comprehensive Plan. The plan assumed a 2010 population of 47,750.
The Census Bureau will be releasing more detailed data over the next few months and years. Click here to review our Census Fact Sheets.
Elected Officials
Click the "County Officials" button to your upper left or the bottom to find how to contact Judge-Executive Mary Ellen Kinser and the eight elected Magistrates that comprise the Oldham County Fiscal Court.
Oldham County Public Schools
Oldham County prides itself on the quality of its public schools. The system is generally regarded as the top county-wide system in the Commonwealth. The fast growing district serves over 10,000 students through 15 educational facilities; consisting of a preschool, seven elementary schools, three middle schools, three high schools, an alternative school, a career center and an adult/community education center.
We invite you to visit the Oldham County Board of Education Web Site for details on the school system and performance results.
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