Russell Springs, Kentucky

Russell Springs, Kentucky
—  City  —
Location of Russell Springs, Kentucky
Coordinates: 37°3′17″N 85°4′52″W
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
County	Russell
Area
• Total	4.6 sq mi (11.9 km2)
• Land	4.6 sq mi (11.9 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	1,086 ft (331 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	2,399
• Density	520.4/sq mi (200.9/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	42642
Area code(s)	270
FIPS code	21-67494
GNIS feature ID	0502532

Russell Springs is the largest city in Russell County, Kentucky, United States. Also is the Gateway to Lake Cumberland one of the largest man made lakes in the region, created by Wolf Creek Dam. The area has thrived since the 1850s as a health resort because of its location near a chalybeate spring. The town itself was founded in 1850 by Samuel Patterson and was referred to as Big Boiling Springs. The post office was first established on May 17, 1855, and named "Kimble", in honor leading businessman of George Kimble. In 1901 the town was renamed Russell Springs. The population was 2,399 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Russell Springs is located at 37°3′17″N 85°4′52″W (37.054853, -85.081162).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles (12 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,399 people, 1,157 households, and 673 families residing in the city. The population density was 520.4 people per square mile (200.9/km²). There were 1,280 housing units at an average density of 277.7 per square mile (107.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.79% White, 0.17% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 1,157 households out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 77.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $18,600, and the median income for a family was $26,464. Males had a median income of $23,480 versus $14,508 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,660. About 21.8% of families and 27.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.7% of those under age 18 and 24.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

• Tara Conner, Miss USA 2006
• Vernie McGaha, State senator from Russell County since 1997
• Doug Moseley, later a Kentucky state senator, was pastor of the Russell Springs First United Methodist Church from 1958-1960.
• Fox T. Ponder, retired Major in the United States Air Force. Important missions included: Berlin Airlift, Korean Airlift, The Hump, Operation Haylift - a humanitarian air drop of hay to snowbound livestock and Operation Tan Glove - a mission to map the magnetic equator. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross upon completion of 300 hours of operational flight in transport aircraft over dangerous and difficult India-China air routes and the Oak Leaf Cluster Award.
• Steve Wariner, country music singer and songwriter. Kentucky State Route 80 is named in his honor.

External links

• Lake Cumberland Area Guide