Ballard County, Kentucky

State protected area

Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve is a 458 acres (1.85 km²) nature preserve located in Ballard County, in the Barlow Bottoms. The preserve is part of the 3,000-acre (12 km²) Axe Lake Swamp wetlands complex which supports at least eight rare plant and animal species. The site has been recognized as a priority wetland in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan.^[6]

Adjacent counties

• Pulaski County, Illinois (north) – across the Ohio River
• McCracken County (east)
• Carlisle County (south)
• Mississippi County, Missouri (southwest) – across the Mississippi River
• Alexander County, Illinois (west) – across the Ohio River

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 7,728. The median age was 44.8 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 males age 18 and over.^[13][14]

The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 2.7% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.2% of the population.^[14]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[15]

There were 3,228 households in the county, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[13]

There were 3,684 housing units, of which 12.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.0% were owner-occupied and 22.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.0%.^[13]

2000 census

As of the census^[16] of 2000, there were 8,286 people, 3,395 households, and 2,413 families residing in the county. The population density was 33 per square mile (13/km²). There were 3,837 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.32% White, 2.87% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 3,395 households, out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.60% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.90% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.85.

The age distribution was 23.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.70% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,130, and the median income for a family was $41,386. Males had a median income of $32,345 versus $20,902 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,035. About 10.70% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.30% of those under age 18 and 15.40% of those age 65 or over.

Elected officials

Voter registration

Statewide elections

Cities

• Barlow
• Blandville
• Kevil
• LaCenter (largest city)
• Wickliffe (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Bandana
• Lovelaceville

Other unincorporated communities

• Ceredo
• Gage
• Hinkleville
• Ingleside
• Monkey's Eyebrow
• Needmore
• New York
• Oscar
• Slater
• Woodville