La Grange, Kentucky

La Grange is a home rule-class city[2] in Oldham County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 8,082 at the time of the 2010 U.S. census. It is the seat of its county.[3]

La Grange, Kentucky
City
Downtown La Grange
Location of La Grange in Oldham County, Kentucky.
Coordinates: 38°24′24″N 85°22′46″W
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
CountyOldham
IncorporatedJanuary 23, 1840
Named forLafayette's French estate
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorJohn Black
Area
 • Total7.14 sq mi (18.5 km2)
 • Land7.06 sq mi (18.3 km2)
 • Water0.08 sq mi (0.2 km2)
Elevation
863 ft (263 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total8,082
 • Estimate 
(2018)[1]
8,965
 • Density1,100/sq mi (440/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
40031–40032
Area code(s)502
FIPS code21-43480
GNIS feature ID0495884
Websitewww.lagrangeky.net

History

La Grange was founded in 1827 when the Oldham County seat was relocated from Westport at the suggestion of Major William Berry Taylor. The new town was named for Château de la Grange-Bléneau, the French country estate of Gilbert du Motier, the American Revolutionary hero better known as the Marquis de Lafayette, who had visited the area in 1824.[4] For unknown reasons, the county seat returned to Westport from 1828 to 1838 before settling at La Grange. The city was formally incorporated by the state legislature on January 23, 1840.[5]

Geography

La Grange is located at 38°24′24″N 85°22′46″W (38.406612, -85.379382).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.14 square miles (18.5 km2), of which 7.06 square miles (18.3 km2) are land and 0.84 square miles (2.2 km2) (1.17%) is covered by water.

CSX Train passing through downtown.

An unusual feature of La Grange is the CSX Transportation street-running mainline track on Main Street.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, La Grange has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[7]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1840233—
1870612—
1880490−19.9%
189067036.7%
1900646−3.6%
19101,15278.3%
19201,060−8.0%
19301,1215.8%
19401,33419.0%
19501,55816.8%
19602,16839.2%
19701,713−21.0%
19802,97173.4%
19903,85329.7%
20005,67647.3%
20108,08242.4%
Est. 20188,965[1]10.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

As of the census of 2010,[9] there were 8,082 people, 2,964 households, and 2,087 families residing in the city. The population density was 1131.4 people per square mile (436.8/km²). There were 3,189 housing units at an average density of 446.4 per square mile (172.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.3% White (83.5% non-Hispanic), 4.7% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 4.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8.9% of the population.

There were 2,964 households out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a single female householder, 5.1% had a single male householder, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.

The age distribution was 29.8% under 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

Correctional facilities

The Kentucky Department of Corrections maintains four correctional facilities in La Grange. Construction began on the Kentucky State Reformatory, the largest prison in the state, in 1937, with the prison opening in 1939. Roederer Correctional Complex, which houses the Assessment and Classification Center where male inmates not sentenced to death enter the state prison system, was built in 1976. The Luther Luckett Correctional Complex and Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, both built in the same facility but technically two separate prisons, opened in 1983. Approximately 4,000 inmates of various security levels are housed at these institutions.

Education

La Grange has a lending library, a branch of the Oldham County Public Library.[10]

Arts and culture

The La Grange historic district contains numerous small businesses such as shops, eateries, and art galleries.

Discover Downtown La Grange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting business, history, and community in the city.[11]

La Grange hosts a Farmers and Artisan Market, a Kentucky Proud Market, where locally made items are sold. The market is open from mid-May through late October.[12]

Notable people

Clark McAllister, the main character in the historical novel A Witness to Gallantry, An American Spy in Poland 1939 is from La Grange, Kentucky and one chapter of the novel briefly involves the town as it was in 1939.

References
  1. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  2. "Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform" (PDF). Kentucky League of Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. Rennick, Robert M. (1988). "Place Names". Kentucky Place Names. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-0179-4. Accessed 16 May 2010.
  5. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "La Grange, Kentucky". Accessed 1 August 2013.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. "Lagrange, Kentucky Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.
  8. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  10. "Kentucky Public Library Directory". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on 11 January 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  11. "LaGrange Crossroads Main Street - Kentucky". LaGrange Crossroads Main Street - Kentucky.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-01-18. Retrieved 2011-01-22.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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