Garrard County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Garrard County, KY, had a population of 16,953. The racial composition was 92.8% White, 3.6% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 2.4% of the population. The median household income was approximately $43,455, and about 18.5% of the population lived below the poverty line. The county spans 233 square miles with Lancaster as its largest city and county seat.

Garrard County, KY, has a median home value of approximately $150,000. The rental market features an average monthly rent of around $800. Owner-occupied housing comprises about 75% of the market, while rental properties make up around 25%. The median household income in the county is around $50,000. Property taxes are relatively low, averaging 0.8% of property value annually. The county offers a rural setting with a stable housing market and a mix of historic and new homes.

As of the latest elections in Garrard County, KY, held in 2022:

Registered Voters: Approximately 13,500

Major Races and Candidates:

1. Garrard County Judge-Executive:

   • John Wilson (Republican) - received 4,876 votes
   • Roy S. Denny (Democrat) - received 1,984 votes

2. Garrard County Sheriff:

   • Tim Davis (Republican) - received 5,276 votes
   • Joe Brown (Independent) - received 1,358 votes

3. Garrard County Clerk:

   • Kevin Montgomery (Republican) - received 5,103 votes
   • No Democrat candidate

Turnout: Approximately 45% of registered voters participated.

Source: Garrard County Board of Elections. Note that candidate lists and results may vary between local, state, and federal elections. Always check with local election offices for the most current information.

As of the latest data, Garrard County, KY, shows the following educational attainment levels: approximately 84.7% of residents have a high school diploma or higher, while around 16.5% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Nationally, about 89% of adults 25 and older have completed high school, and roughly 34% have a bachelor's degree or higher. In Kentucky, roughly 87% of residents have at least a high school diploma, and about 25.3% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Therefore, Garrard County’s high school graduation rate is slightly below both the state and national averages, and its percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree is significantly lower than both the state and national levels.

As of the latest data available, Garrard County, KY has a labor force participation rate of around 56.4%, lower than both the national average (63.3%) and the state average (59%). The unemployment rate in Garrard County hovers around 4.2%, which is comparable to the national average of approximately 4.0%.

Key industries in Garrard County include manufacturing, which employs around 17% of the workforce, and healthcare and social assistance, accounting for roughly 15%. Retail trade and educational services are also significant employers, each covering about 10% of the jobs. Agriculture plays a smaller but notable role in the local economy.

Nationally, the top industries are healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and professional and business services. In Kentucky, manufacturing and healthcare also lead, aligning closely with Garrard County's industry trends but with higher employment rates in urban areas.

This comparison highlights Garrard County’s reliance on manufacturing and healthcare, akin to broader state trends but diverging somewhat from the diversified national employment landscape.

As of the most recent data, Garrard County, KY has an average household income of approximately $52,486. Comparatively, this is below both the national average and the state average. The national average household income stands at around $68,703, while the Kentucky state average is about $55,329. The following table provides a more detailed comparison:

In summary, Garrard County's average income is lower than both state and national averages, reflecting regional economic disparities within Kentucky and the broader United States.

Garrard County, KY, has a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. As per recent data, the overall crime rate is around 1.90 per 1,000 residents annually. Here's a summary of crime statistics:

Violent crimes include offenses such as assault, robbery, and homicide, whereas property crimes encompass burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. Specific figures for these sub-categories further break down as follows:

These statistics