| County: | Montgomery County |
| State: | Kentucky |
| Founded Year: | 1796 |
| Seat Wl: | Mount Sterling |
| Largest City Wl: | Mount Sterling |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 199 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 197 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 1.5 |
| Area Percentage: | 0.7 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 28114 |
| Pop Est As Of: | 2023 |
| Population Est: | 28527 |
| Density Sq Mi: | auto |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
| Web: | http://montgomerycounty.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx |
| Ex Image: | Montgomery County, Kentucky courthouse.jpg |
| Ex Image Cap: | Montgomery County courthouse in Mount Sterling |
| District: | 6th |
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,114.[1] Its county seat is Mount Sterling.[2] With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a moist county—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited (a dry county), but containing a "wet" city where package alcohol sales are allowed, in this case Mount Sterling.[3] Montgomery County is part of the Mount Sterling, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Lexington-Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort, KY combined statistical area.
In 1793 Shoe Boots (Tarsekayahke) led Cherokee and Shawnee warriors in a raid on Morgan's Station, in what was known as the last Indian raid in Kentucky. Some settlers were killed and two adolescent girls, including Clarinda Allington, were taken captive and the party returned to Cherokee territory. Believing he had saved Clarinda's life, Shoe Boots later married her, and they had three children together. He was a wealthy, successful leader. Several years later, Clarinda gained a visit back to her family in Kentucky with her children and decided to stay. They could not support her, but the state voted a 3-year pension for her.[4]
Montgomery County was established in 1796 from land given by Clark County. Montgomery was the 22nd Kentucky county in order of formation.[5]
Montgomery County was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, an American Revolutionary War Brigadier General killed in 1775 while attempting to capture Quebec City, Canada.[6] An alternative story holds that the county was named for Thomas Montgomery from Virginia, who served in the Revolutionary War. In 1793 Thomas Montgomery settled in Mt. Sterling. In 1805, Thomas Montgomery moved on to Gibson County, Indiana.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.7%) is water.[7]
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 22,554 people, 8,902 households, and 6,436 families residing in the county. The population density was 114/sqmi. There were 9,682 housing units at an average density of 49/sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 75.07% White, 23.48% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 8,902 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 23.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.93.
The age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,746, and the median income for a family was $36,939. Males had a median income of $31,428 versus $20,941 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,701. About 12.50% of families and 15.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.10% of those under age 18 and 17.30% of those age 65 or over.