| Official Name: | La Grange, Kentucky |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Named For: | Lafayette's French estate |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Kentucky |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Oldham |
| Government Type: | Mayor-Council |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | John Black |
| Established Title: | Incorporated |
| Established Date: | January 23, 1840 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Footnotes: | [1] |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 7.30 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 7.22 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.08 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 10067 |
| Population Density Sq Mi: | 1394.90 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Elevation Ft: | 751 |
| Coordinates: | 38.3986°N -85.375°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP codes |
| Postal Code: | 40031–40032 |
| Area Code: | 502 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 21-43480 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 2404848 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2022 |
| Pop Est Footnotes: | [2] |
| Population Est: | 10295 |
| Area Total Km2: | 18.91 |
| Area Land Km2: | 18.69 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.22 |
| Population Density Km2: | 538.58 |
La Grange is a home rule-class city[3] in Oldham County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 10,067 at the time of the 2020 U.S. census. It is the seat of its county.[4] A unique feature of the city is the CSX Transportation street-running mainline track on Main Street that sees multiple trains in both directions.[5] [6] [7] [8]
La Grange was founded in 1827 when the Oldham County seat was relocated from Westport at the suggestion of Major William Berry Taylor. The new town was named for Château de la Grange-Bléneau, the French country estate of Gilbert du Motier, the American Revolutionary hero better known as the Marquis de Lafayette, who had visited the area in 1824.[9] For unknown reasons, the county seat returned to Westport from 1828 to 1838 before settling at La Grange. The city was formally incorporated by the state legislature on January 23, 1840.[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.14sqmi, of which 7.06sqmi are land and 0.84sqmi (1.17%) is covered by water.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, La Grange has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.[11]
As of the census of 2010,[12] there were 8,082 people, 2,964 households, and 2,087 families residing in the city. The population density was 1131.4sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 3,189 housing units at an average density of 446.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the city was 87.3% White (83.5% non-Hispanic), 4.7% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.62% Asian, 0.16% Pacific Islander, 4.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 8.9% of the population.
There were 2,964 households, out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a single female householder, 5.1% had a single male householder, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.17.
The age distribution was 29.8% under 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.
The Kentucky Department of Corrections maintains four correctional facilities in La Grange. Construction began on the Kentucky State Reformatory, the largest prison in the state, in 1937, with the prison opening in 1939. Roederer Correctional Complex, which houses the Assessment and Classification Center where male inmates not sentenced to death enter the state prison system, was built in 1976. The Luther Luckett Correctional Complex and Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, both built in the same facility but technically two separate prisons, opened in 1983. Approximately 4,000 inmates of various security levels are housed at these institutions.
La Grange has a lending library, a branch of the Oldham County Public Library.[13]
The La Grange historic district contains numerous small businesses such as shops, eateries, and art galleries.
CSX Transportation's LCL Subdivision tracks are embedded within Main Street from 4th Avenue to Cedar Avenue creating a unique scenario where the railroad's freight trains join the street's mixed traffic.
Discover Downtown La Grange is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting business, history, and community in the city.[14]
La Grange hosts a Farmers and Artisan Market, a Kentucky Proud Market, where locally made items are sold. The market is open from mid-May through late October.[15]