Augusta, Kentucky – Wikipedia

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City in Kentucky, United States

Augusta is a home rule-class city[2] in Bracken County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is sited upon the southern bank of the Ohio River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 1,190.[3] When Bracken County was organized in 1796, Augusta was the county seat. In 1839, a new county courthouse was built at a more central location in Brooksville. The city was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1850.[4]

Geography[edit]

Augusta is located in northeastern Kentucky at 38°46′21″N 84°0′6″W / 38.77250°N 84.00167°W / 38.77250; -84.00167 (38.772556, -84.001530).[5]Kentucky Route 8 (Fifth Street) is the main road through the city. Route 8 leads northwest 42 miles (68 km) to downtown Cincinnati and southeast 19 miles (31 km) to Maysville. The Augusta Ferry crosses the Ohio River into Lewis Township, Brown County, Ohio, near Higginsport.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Augusta has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.2 km2), of which 1.4 square miles (3.5 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 16.6%, is water.[3]

Climate[edit]

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Augusta has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated “Cfa” on climate maps.[6]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
Census Pop. Note %±
1800 143 —
1810 225 57.3%
1830 687 —
1840 786 14.4%
1850 588 −25.2%
1860 693 17.9%
1870 960 38.5%
1880 1,282 33.5%
1890 1,447 12.9%
1900 1,718 18.7%
1910 1,787 4.0%
1920 1,829 2.4%
1930 1,675 −8.4%
1940 1,701 1.6%
1950 1,599 −6.0%
1960 1,458 −8.8%
1970 1,434 −1.6%
1980 1,455 1.5%
1990 1,336 −8.2%
2000 1,204 −9.9%
2010 1,190 −1.2%
2020 1,096 −7.9%

As of the census[8] of 2005, there were 1,204 people, 534 households, and 330 families residing in the city. The population density was 990.9 inhabitants per square mile (382.6/km2). There were 605 housing units at an average density of 497.9 per square mile (192.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.51% White, 1.25% African American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 534 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,333, and the median income for a family was $34,167. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $22,188 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,450. About 15.4% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 18.5% of those age 65 or over.

History[edit]

Augusta was founded by Philip Buckner in 1786 as a trading post along the Ohio River. The city was named after Augusta County, Virginia. The city grew quickly and in 1796 became county seat of the new Bracken County. The county seat was moved to Oxford, then back to Augusta, then finally to Brooksville in 1839.

In 1862, Confederate Colonel Basil W. Duke attacked the town as part of the Kentucky Campaign. While he was able to drive off a pair of Union gunboats in the Ohio River and defeat the local Unionist militia in house-to-house fighting, heavy losses forced him to abandon plans to cross into Ohio.

The city was home to five separate schools, one private and four public. The most famous built was the Augusta College, which served the entire Bracken area until 1887 when the high school was moved into that spot. The college continued to serve the city until October 31, 1896.

Government[edit]

The city of Augusta is classified as a Class 4 city. Augusta is headed by the mayor and a City Council with six members and an attorney that preside at the meetings. After inauguration, the Mayor selects his Vice Mayor who remains in that post until the next mayor is elected. There is no limit to the number of terms either the Mayor or the City Council can serve.

The city also has a Police Department, Fire Department, County Ambulance Department, Maintenance Department, and a Water Treatment Department.

Industry[edit]

Augusta is home to a Berry Global manufacturing facility that makes plastic films.[9]

Education[edit]

The public schools, Augusta Elementary School and Augusta High School, are managed by the Augusta Independent Schools school district. The district was founded in 1887. Lisa McCane is the
Superintendent of Schools.[10]

Saint Augustine School is a Parochial Catholic School that houses PK-8 grade. The school was founded in 1865 by the Sisters of Notre Dame.

Augusta mayors[edit]

  • Mike Taylor (2018–Present), won with the slimmest margin of victory in Augusta mayoral history. Ran primarily on a platform to build an 80’s era arcade.
  • John Laycock (2009), named interim Mayor upon High’s resignation
  • Wendell High (2006–2009), the first mayor to win two nonconsecutive terms in office
  • John Laycock (2002–2006), elected with 65% of the votes; first person to win a public office in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a “write-in”
  • Wendell High (1998–2002)
  • Louis Habermehl, Jr. (1994–1998)
  • Mike Bach (1990–1994)
  • Isaac Weldon (1986–1990)
  • Thomas Appelman (1970–1986)

Notable people[edit]

The high school carillon in Augusta is dedicated to Rosemary Clooney.
  • Henry Bidleman Bascom (1796–1850), religious circuit rider, U.S. Congressional Chaplain, professor at Augusta College, college president, editor
  • George Clooney, graduated from Augusta High School
  • Nick Clooney, American television journalist, anchorman, game show and American Movie Classics host
  • Rosemary Clooney purchased a getaway home on the river in 1980.
  • John Gregg Fee, alumnus of Augusta College, noted abolitionist in Kentucky
  • Heather French, former Miss America, born in Augusta
  • Don Galloway, actor from TV series Ironside
  • William Henry Harrison stayed at General John Payne’s home on Riverside Drive, on his way to be inaugurated.
  • Buckner Stith Morris, second mayor of Chicago

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  2. ^ “Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform” (PDF). Kentucky League of Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  3. ^ a b “Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Augusta city, Kentucky”. U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  4. ^ Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. “Augusta, Kentucky”. Accessed 15 July 2013.
  5. ^ “US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990”. United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ^ Climate Summary for Augusta, Kentucky
  7. ^ “Census of Population and Housing”. Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  8. ^ “U.S. Census website”. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  9. ^ “Global Manufacturing”. Retrieved 2013-02-10.
  10. ^ “Superintendent’s Message”. Augusta Local Schools. Retrieved 2012-06-15.

External links[edit]