London, Kentucky

London is a home rule-class city[4] in Laurel County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county.[5] The population was 8,053 at the time of the 2020 census.[6] It is the second-largest city named "London" in the United States and the fourth-largest in the world. It is part of the London, Kentucky micropolitan area. Of the seventeen micropolitan areas in Kentucky, London is the largest; the London micropolitan area's 2010 Census population was 126,368. London is also home to the annual World Chicken Festival that celebrates the life of Colonel Sanders and features the world's largest skillet.

For other places of the same name, see London (disambiguation).

London, Kentucky
City
Downtown London
Downtown London
Flag of London, Kentucky
Flag
Location in Laurel County, Kentucky
Location in Laurel County, Kentucky
Coordinates: 37°08′10″N 84°05′10″W
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
CountyLaurel
IncorporatedFebruary 11, 1836
Named forLondon, England
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorRandall Weddle
Area
[1]
 • City11.61 sq mi (30.07 km2)
 • Land11.57 sq mi (29.96 km2)
 • Water0.04 sq mi (0.12 km2)
Elevation
[2]
1,178 ft (359 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City8,053
 • Estimate 
(2022)[3]
7,578
 • Density654.62/sq mi (252.76/km2)
 • Metro
126,565
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
40741-40745
Area code606
FIPS code21-47476
GNIS feature ID2404950[2]
Websitewww.londonky.gov

History

Upon the establishment of Laurel County in 1825, a vote was held to provide for the new area's seat of government. The land offered by John Jackson and his son Jarvis Jackson was selected, along with their suggested name of London, honoring their English heritage.[7][8] The town was founded the next year, its post office established in 1831,[7] and its city rights granted in 1836.[9]

One of John Jackson's sons was Hancock Lee Jackson, 13th governor of Missouri. His second cousin was Claiborne Fox Jackson, 15th governor of Missouri.

During the late 1930s and early 1940s, London served as a central collection agency for books donated to the Pack Horse Library Project.[10] It also had a pack horse library which delivered books to rural residents in the mountains.[11]

Geography

London is located in central Laurel County. U.S. Route 25 passes through London as its Main Street. Route 25 leads northwest 25 miles (40 km) to Mount Vernon and south 13 miles (21 km) to Corbin. Interstate 75, running parallel to US 25, passes along the western edge of London, with access from Exits 38 and 41. I-75 leads north 76 miles (122 km) to Lexington and south 97 miles (156 km) to Knoxville, Tennessee. The Hal Rogers Parkway runs along the northern edge of London, leading east 21 miles (34 km) to Garrard and west 32 miles (51 km) to Somerset.

According to the United States Census Bureau, London has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30.1 km2), of which 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.39%, are water.[12] Between the 2000 and 2010 censuses, the city annexed a significant portion of land.[13]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860235—
1870165−29.8%
188021530.3%
19001,147—
19101,63842.8%
19201,7074.2%
19301,95014.2%
19402,26316.1%
19503,42651.4%
19604,03517.8%
19704,3377.5%
19804,002−7.7%
19905,75743.9%
20005,692−1.1%
20107,99340.4%
20208,0530.8%
2022 (est.)7,578[14]−5.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 5,692 people, 2,400 households, and 1,461 families residing in the city. 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.

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.[17] 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).[17]

Climate data for London, Kentucky (London-Corbin Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1954–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 74
(23)		 81
(27)		 87
(31)		 90
(32)		 91
(33)		 105
(41)		 101
(38)		 102
(39)		 97
(36)		 94
(34)		 83
(28)		 78
(26)		 105
(41)
Average high °F (°C) 45.2
(7.3)		 49.7
(9.8)		 58.4
(14.7)		 69.3
(20.7)		 76.7
(24.8)		 83.5
(28.6)		 86.3
(30.2)		 85.6
(29.8)		 80.0
(26.7)		 69.5
(20.8)		 57.9
(14.4)		 48.5
(9.2)		 67.5
(19.7)
Daily mean °F (°C) 36.0
(2.2)		 39.7
(4.3)		 47.3
(8.5)		 57.1
(13.9)		 65.4
(18.6)		 72.9
(22.7)		 76.3
(24.6)		 75.2
(24.0)		 68.8
(20.4)		 57.5
(14.2)		 46.7
(8.2)		 39.4
(4.1)		 56.9
(13.8)
Average low °F (°C) 26.7
(−2.9)		 29.7
(−1.3)		 36.2
(2.3)		 44.9
(7.2)		 54.1
(12.3)		 62.4
(16.9)		 66.3
(19.1)		 64.8
(18.2)		 57.6
(14.2)		 45.4
(7.4)		 35.5
(1.9)		 30.3
(−0.9)		 46.2
(7.9)
Record low °F (°C) −25
(−32)		 −17
(−27)		 −12
(−24)		 19
(−7)		 28
(−2)		 34
(1)		 45
(7)		 44
(7)		 32
(0)		 18
(−8)		 2
(−17)		 −17
(−27)		 −25
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.89
(99)		 4.02
(102)		 4.57
(116)		 4.65
(118)		 5.04
(128)		 5.06
(129)		 5.16
(131)		 3.97
(101)		 3.55
(90)		 3.29
(84)		 3.52
(89)		 4.54
(115)		 51.26
(1,302)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 4.5
(11)		 3.1
(7.9)		 0.6
(1.5)		 1.0
(2.5)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 1.1
(2.8)		 10.3
(26)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 11.8 12.0 12.9 12.5 13.7 12.6 13.4 10.2 8.3 9.0 9.8 12.0 138.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 2.6 1.9 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.9 6.3
Source: NOAA (snow 1981–2010)[17][18][19]

Education

Public schools are administered by Laurel County Public Schools.[20] The district has two comprehensive high schools: North Laurel High School and South Laurel High School.

There is a private school, London Christian Academy.

Colleges
  • Laurel Technical College
  • Somerset Community and Technical College (Laurel Campus)

Public library

London has a lending library, the Laurel County Public Library.[21]

Economy

Major employers in London include:[22]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: London, Kentucky
  3. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  4. "Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform" (PDF). Kentucky League of Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  6. "Total Population: 2020 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), London city, Kentucky". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  7. Rennick, Robert. Kentucky Place Names, p. 178. University Press of Kentucky (Lexington), 1987. Accessed August 1, 2013.
  8. "London, Kentucky". City Town Info. Retrieved April 5, 2013.
  9. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "London, Kentucky". Accessed August 1, 2013.
  10. Ayers, Ruth (October 26, 1936). "Pittsburgh Woman Heads Pack Horse Library Service to Mountain Homes". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved September 3, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Mountain Trails Used By WPA Employees to Distribute Books". The Cincinnati Enquirer. March 18, 1937. Retrieved September 3, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Kentucky". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  13. "Kentucky Cities and Counties: London, Kentucky". Land Office, Kentucky Secretary of State. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  14. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  15. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  18. "Station: London Corbin AP, Ky". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  19. "Station: London Corbin Airport, Ky". U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  20. "Laurel County Public Schools". Laurel KY Schools. Digital School Network. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  21. "Kentucky Public Library Directory". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  22. London Laurel County Community Profile
  23. Duan, Crystal (November 13, 2013). "Deaton departs". The Maneater. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  24. https://majorleaguefishing.com/press-releases/mlf-senior-director-of-operations-bill-taylor-announces-retirement/. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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