London, Kentucky

2025 tornado

On the night of May 16, 2025, a violent EF4 tornado tore through the southern portions of London. The tornado resulted in catastrophic damage, destroyed roughly 280 homes, and killed 17 people in the city.^[14][15]

Climate

London has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen: Cfa) with continental influences. Summers are hot and humid with frequent storms. July is the warmest month, with an average high of 86 °F (30 °C) and an average low of 66 °F (19 °C). Winters are cold with a few mild periods. January is the coldest month with an average high of 44 °F (7 °C) and an average low of 26 °F (−3 °C). The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F (41 °C) on June 29, 2012, and the lowest recorded temperature was −25 °F (−32 °C) on January 19, 1994.^[18] May has the highest average rainfall of 4.92 inches (125 mm) and October has the lowest average rainfall of 3.01 inches (76 mm).^[18]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, London had a population of 7,572. The median age was 39.8 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.0 males age 18 and over.^[23][24]

99.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.6% lived in rural areas.^[25]

There were 3,146 households in London, of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 36.3% were married-couple households, 19.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 37.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[23]

There were 3,490 housing units, of which 9.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.^[23]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 5,692 people, 2,400 households, and 1,461 families residing in the city.^[26] The population density was 738.1 inhabitants per square mile (285.0/km²). There were 2,676 housing units at an average density of 347.0 per square mile (134.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.03% White, 1.83% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.

There were 2,400 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.3% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,283, and the median income for a family was $34,340. Males had a median income of $32,355 versus $19,873 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,046. About 19.4% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 18.4% of those age 65 or over.

Colleges

• Somerset Community College (Laurel Campus)
• Sue Bennett College was a private college in London, which operated from 1897 through 1997.

Public library

London has a lending library, the Laurel County Public Library.^[29]