Laurel County, Kentucky

Laurel County is a located in the  of. As of 2000, the population was 60,090 Its is. Laurel County is a limited, meaning that sale of alcohol in the county is prohibited except in certain areas as voted on by the residents of the area. In the case of Laurel County, by the drink alcohol sales is permitted only in restaurants in the city of London seating at least 100 diners and derive at least 70% of their total sales from food.

Geography
According to the, the county has a total area of 1,149 (444 ). 1,128 km² (436 sq mi) of it is land and 21 km² (8 sq mi) of it (1.82%) is water. Part of is in Laurel County.

Adjacent counties

 * (northeast)
 * (east)
 * (southeast)
 * (south)
 * (southwest)
 * (west)
 * (northwest)

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 52,715 people, 20,353 households, and 15,366 families residing in the county. The was 47/km² (121/sq mi). There were 22,317 housing units at an average density of 20/km² (51/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 97.66%, 0.63% , 0.37% , 0.35% , 0.01% , 0.08% from , and 0.90% from two or more races. 0.55% of the population were of any race.

There were 20,353 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.60% were living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

The age distribution was 25.40% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,015, and the median income for a family was $31,318. Males had a median income of $27,965 versus $19,757 for females. The for the county was $14,165. About 17.80% of families and 21.30% of the population were below the, including 28.80% of those under age 18 and 20.10% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Two public school districts serve K-12 students in the county:
 * Laurel County Public Schools — Operates one preschool, 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.
 * East Bernstadt Independent Schools — Operates a single K-8 school. High school students living in the district are assigned to North Laurel High School.

Trivia
Laurel County is home to the first restaurant, located in the southern section of the county in the unincorporated community of.

The World Chicken Festival is celebrated every year in Laurel County, drawing crowds of up to 250,000 people.

Nationally bestselling author was raised and currently lives in Laurel County, at the small town of Lily.

2000 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, who has written hit songs for the , , , , and many others, was born in London, the county seat of Laurel County.

Laurel County is home to the Battle of Wildcat Mountain, a pivotal yet little known battle during the Civil War that kept Confederate armies from advancing on, a major stronghold during the war.