Caldwell County, Kentucky is located in the southwestern corner of the state and is part of the Pennyroyal region. The county has an estimated population of 12,839 according to the 2019 U.S. Census estimates. The racial makeup of Caldwell County is 92.4% White, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 1.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian and 0.1% Black or African American residents according to 2017 census data. See top counties in Kentucky.
The median age in Caldwell County is 40 years old with 22% of the population under 18 years old and 15% over 65 years old according to 2017 census data. The median household income for Caldwell County is $45,971 which is slightly lower than Kentucky’s median household income of $48,375 according to 2017 census data.
Caldwell County offers its residents a variety of amenities including several restaurants, shopping centers, banks and recreational facilities as well as educational institutions like schools and universities for both children and adults alike to attend in order to further their education or pursue their career goals.
Caldwell County also offers its residents some great outdoor activities like camping at nearby Lake Beshear or hiking along one of many nature trails found throughout Caldwell’s wooded areas as well as plenty of fishing opportunities on both Lake Beshear and Lake Barkley which are both located within the county boundaries.
History of Caldwell County, Kentucky
Caldwell County, Kentucky was established in 1809 and is located in the southwestern corner of the state. The county was named after Kentucky Governor James Caldwell who served from 1804 to 1808. The original boundaries of Caldwell County included all of present-day Livingston and Lyon counties as well as parts of present-day Crittenden and Christian counties.
Throughout its history, Caldwell County has been home to many different groups of people including Native Americans, early settlers, African Americans, and immigrants from Europe. The first permanent settlement in the county was established by William Lynch who arrived in 1818 and constructed a log cabin near what is now Princeton.
During the Civil War, Caldwell County had a strong Confederate presence due to its proximity to Tennessee and Arkansas. In 1862, Union forces occupied Princeton for several months before retreating back into Tennessee after suffering heavy casualties at the Battle of Shiloh.
In the late 19th century, Caldwell County experienced a period of economic growth due to increased railroad traffic and the establishment of several new industries such as brick making and lumber mills. This period also saw an influx of new settlers from other states including Alabama and Georgia who brought with them their own cultures and traditions which still remain today.
Today, Caldwell County is home to approximately 12,839 residents according to 2019 U.S. Census estimates. The county offers its residents a variety of amenities including restaurants, shopping centers, banks and recreational facilities as well as educational institutions like schools and universities for both children and adults alike to attend in order to further their education or pursue their career goals.
Major cities and towns in Caldwell County, Kentucky
Caldwell County, Kentucky is home to a variety of cities and towns each with its own unique history and culture. The county seat is Princeton, which was originally settled in 1818 by William Lynch. Princeton has a population of 1,858 and offers its residents a variety of amenities including restaurants, banks, shopping centers, and recreational facilities.
Other cities in the county include Fredonia (population 541), which was founded in 1812 by settlers from Tennessee; Smithland (population 825), established in 1820 as the seat of Livingston County; and Eddyville (population 2,054), founded in 1844 as a port on the Cumberland River.
The towns of Tompkinsville (population 1,800) and Gamaliel (population 478) are also located within Caldwell County. Tompkinsville was established in 1827 and named after Governor Isaac Shelby’s son-in-law Thomas Tompkins who served as the first postmaster for the town. Gamaliel was founded in 1840 by settlers from Virginia and named after Gamaliel Painter who donated land for its establishment.
In addition to these cities and towns, Caldwell County also contains two large bodies of water – Lake Cumberland which is located along its northern border and Lake Barkley which are both located within the county boundaries. Lake Cumberland is one of Kentucky’s largest lakes with over 1 million acres of water while Lake Barkley is known for its scenic beauty with rolling hills surrounding it on all sides. Both lakes provide recreational activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking trails, etc., making them popular destinations for tourists from around the country.
Population in Caldwell County, Kentucky
According to Iamaccepted, Caldwell County, Kentucky is home to a population of 21,269. The county’s largest city is Princeton with a population of 1,858, followed by Eddyville with 2,054 residents. Other cities in the county include Fredonia (population 541), Smithland (population 825), Tompkinsville (population 1,800), and Gamaliel (population 478).
The majority of the population in Caldwell County is white (83%), followed by African American (13%), Hispanic or Latino (2%), Asian (1%), and other races/ethnicities making up the remaining 1%. The median household income in Caldwell County is $36,879 and the poverty rate is 18%. The unemployment rate for the county is 6.6%.
The largest employers in Caldwell County are healthcare related companies such as Caldwell Medical Center and Baptist Health Care Corporation. Other major employers include manufacturing companies like JK Industries and agricultural businesses such as Maple Valley Farms. Education also plays a large role in Caldwell County’s economy with both public and private schools available for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
In terms of higher education, Caldwell County offers several options including Murray State University at Princeton Campus which offers associate’s degrees; University of Kentucky at Paducah which offers bachelor’s degrees; Murray State University at Madisonville Campus which offers certificates; and Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College which offers a variety of technical programs.