Owenton, Kentucky

Owenton was founded in 1822 and named for its county, which was named for Col. Abraham Owen, a pioneer who died at the Battle of Tippecanoe. The town was first incorporated on December 18, 1828, although it had to be reïncorporated in 1849.[1] The Greek Revival courthouse was built between 1857–58. Owenton's growth in the late 19th century was limited because a railroad was never built to it.

Owenton is located at 38°32′12″N 84°50′22″W (38.536614, -84.839363).[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), of which 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) (0.89%) is water.

At the 2000 census there were 1,387 people in 615 households, including 340 families, in the city. The population density was 620.4 people per square mile (239.1/km²). There were 688 housing units at an average density of 307.8 per square mile (118.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.39% White, 2.88% African American, 0.58% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.58% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73%.[7]

Of the 615 households 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 42.3% of households were one person and 25.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.84.

The age distribution was 20.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 27.3% 65 or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 71.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 65.3 males.

The median household income was $23,125 and the median family income was $36,806. Males had a median income of $27,596 versus $22,450 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,955. About 13.2% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 28.0% of those age 65 or over.

Owenton has a lending library, the Owen County Public Library.[8]

• Gerald W. Johnson (1919 - 2002), a Lieutenant General in the USAF and World War II flying ace.
• Joseph L. Rhinock (1863 - 1926), a U.S. Representative from Kentucky.
• Dale Roberts (1940 - 2010), an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees
• Abraham O. Smoot (1815 - 1895), a Mormon pioneer and second Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Arnold E. True (1901 - 1979), a highly decorated Rear admiral in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

• Bryant, Ron. "Owenton". Kentucky Encyclopedia.