:Hopkinsville, Kentucky

The area of present-day Hopkinsville was initially claimed in 1796 by Bartholomew Wood as part of a {{convert|1200|acre|km2|0|adj=on}} grant for his service in the American Revolution. He and his wife Martha Ann moved from Jonesborough, Tennessee, first to a cabin near present-day W. Seventh and Bethel streets; then to a second cabin near present-day 9th and Virginia streets; and finally to a third home near 14th and Campbell.{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.visithopkinsville.com/about/history/ |access-date=January 24, 2023 |website=visithopkinsville.com|date=October 29, 2013 }}

Following the creation of Christian County the same year, the Woods donated {{convert|5|acre|m2}} of land and a half interest in their Old Rock Spring to form its seat of government in 1797. By 1798, a log courthouse, jail, and "stray pen" had been built; the next year, John Campbell and Samuel Means laid out the streets for "Christian Court House". The community tried to rename itself "Elizabeth" after the Woods' eldest daughter, but Elizabethtown, Kentucky pre-ëmpted the name, and the Kentucky Assembly established the town in 1804 as "Hopkinsville" after veteran and state representative Samuel Hopkins of Henderson County (later the namesake of Hopkins County as well and despite being in a neighboring county and having the same namesake, Hopkinsville was never the county seat of Hopkins County, despite Hopkins County being created from Christian and Henderson Counties).{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Kentucky |chapter=Dictionary of Places: Hopkinsville |publisher=Somerset Publishers |location=New York, New York |year=1987 |isbn=0-403-09981-1}}{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n159 160]}}

Along with the rest of Kentucky, the town was late in establishing free lower education, but natives organized private schools, and the town was the home of South Kentucky College (est. 1849) and Bethel Female College (est. 1854).

Since 1854, Hopkinsville has been the site of the Western Kentucky Lunatic Asylum.

The Civil War generated major divisions in Christian County. Confederate support in Hopkinsville and Christian County was evident in the formation of the "Oak Grove Rangers" and the 28th Kentucky Cavalry. Christian County was the actual birthplace of Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederate States of America, though his birthplace is now part of Todd County, Kentucky. Several local businessmen and plantation owners contributed money and war supplies to the South. After Confederate forces retreated to Tennessee, however, Camp Joe Anderson was established by the Union to the northwest of Hopkinsville in 1862. Men who trained there became members of the 35th Kentucky Cavalry, the 25th Kentucky Infantry, and the 35th Kentucky Infantry. Gen. James S. Jackson had been a Hopkinsville attorney before the war and was killed in service to the Union at the Battle of Perryville in October 1862. Private citizens who supported the Union cause provided the army with mules, wagons, clothing, and food.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The occupation of Hopkinsville changed at least half a dozen times between the Confederate and Union forces. In December 1864, Confederate troops under Gen. Hylan B. Lyon captured the town and burned down the Christian County courthouse which was being used at that time by the Union army as a barracks. Another skirmish between Union and Confederate forces took place in the field opposite Western State Hospital near the end of the war. {{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

{{main|Black Patch Tobacco Wars}}

The Evansville, Henderson, and Nashville Railroad was the first to connect Hopkinsville to surrounding cities in 1868. In 1879, it was purchased by the L&N. The Ohio Valley Railroad (later purchased by the Illinois Southern) reached the city in 1892, as did the Tennessee Central in 1903.

The tobacco from the Black Patch region was highly desired in Europe.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}} In 1904, tobacco planters formed the Dark Tobacco District Planters' Protective Association of Kentucky and Tennessee in opposition to a corporate monopoly by the American Tobacco Company (ATC) owned by James B. Duke.{{cite web| last=Gregory| first=Rick| title=The Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture| url=http://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entry.php?rec=352}} The ATC used their monopoly power to reduce the prices they paid to farmers; the planters' association aimed to organize a boycott of sales to drive the price back up. Many farmers continued to sell independently or secretly, however, prompting the association to form a "Silent Brigade" to pressure such farmers into compliance. With societal pressure seeming to fail, the Silent Brigade (probably under Dr. David A. Amoss) organized the Night Riders (not to be confused with the Ku Klux Klan) to terrorize farmers into submission.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

On December 7, 1907, 250 masked Night Riders seized Hopkinsville's police station and cut off all outside contact. They pursued tobacco executives who bought tobacco from farmers who were not members of the Dark Tobacco District Planters' Protective Association and city officials who aided them. Three warehouses were burned, one of whose sites became Peace Park.{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}} In April of the next year, a tobacco broker in Paducah named W.B. Kennedy wrote to associates in Rotterdam that "Out of all the mischief that has been done the law has not been able to convict and punish the night-riders. They do their mischief in the night, and wear masks, and they have taken a pledge to never tell anybody anything they know, and for this reason it is impossible to get sufficient evidence to convict them. They have gone on with their mischief making, until they have almost ruined the country."{{citation needed|date=July 2013}}

On April 2, 2006, an F3 tornado swept through parts of Hopkinsville. In the storm, 200 homes were damaged and 28 people were injured.{{cite web|last=National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office|title=Top 10 Weather Headlines of 2006|url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pah/?n=top10of2006|access-date=30 April 2012}} In addition, structural damage was reported to dozens of other businesses, along with countless trees, power lines, transmission towers and other structures, cutting electricity to the city of Hopkinsville. A gas line was also damaged, causing a gas leak. On January 1, 2022, an EF2 tornado struck Hopkinsville, removing the canopy from a gas station, and destroying the petrol pumps. A church lost parts of its roof, and trees were snapped and some uprooted along the path. This was the first confirmed tornado of 2022.{{cite report|author=National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky|title=NWS Damage Survey for 01/01/22 Tornado Event|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSPAH&e=202201022224|publisher=Iowa Environmental Mesonet|access-date=January 2, 2022|date=January 2, 2022}}{{cite web|agency=National Weather Service in Paducah, Kentucky|title=Preliminary Local Storm Report|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=LSRPAH&e=202201022332|publisher=Iowa Environmental Mesonet|date=January 2, 2022|accessdate=January 2, 2022}}

On March 31, 2023, the downtown area sustained noteworthy damage from straight-line winds of up to 90 mph,{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jennifer P. |date=2023-04-03 |title=Friday storm produced straight-line winds, NWS team determines |url=https://hoptownchronicle.org/friday-storm-produced-straight-line-winds-nws-team-determines/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Hoptown Chronicle |language=en-US}} lifting off the upper floor of restaurant The Mixer{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jennifer P. |date=2023-04-03 |title=A gut punch: Storm delivers blow to owners of The Mixer |url=https://hoptownchronicle.org/a-gut-punch-storm-delivers-blow-to-owners-of-the-mixer/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Hoptown Chronicle |language=en-US}} in the former Young Hardware space, as well as damaging the city's clock tower and the Woody Winfree Fire and Transportation Museum.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jennifer P. |date=2023-04-03 |title=Storm damages clock tower building but collection of antique vehicles not harmed |url=https://hoptownchronicle.org/storm-damages-clock-tower-building-but-collection-of-antique-vehicles-not-harmed/ |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Hoptown Chronicle |language=en-US}}

Hopkinsville is located south of the center of Christian County at {{coord|36|51|17|N|87|29|20|W|type:city}} (36.854712, −87.488872).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} Madisonville is {{convert|35|mi}} to the north, Russellville is {{convert|35|mi}} to the east, Oak Grove is 15 miles to the south, and Clarksville, Tennessee, is {{convert|26|mi}} to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hopkinsville has a total area of {{convert|79.8|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|79.3|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.4|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 0.44%, is water.

{{Accessibility dispute|section|date=September 2024|reason=screen readers can not read content that is collapsed and hidden}}

Hopkinsville has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa), with hot, humid summers and cool winters. Precipitation is abundant and well-spread, with an average of {{convert|49.1|in|mm|sigfig=3}}. Snowfall is light and sporadic, with an average of {{convert|9.8|in|cm|sigfig=2}}.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The data below was accessed via the WRCC and was collected from 1896 until 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ky3994|title=HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY – Climate Summary|website=wrcc.dri.edu|access-date=2018-07-22}}

{{Weather box

|location = Hopkinsville, Kentucky, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1896–present)

|single line = Y

|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high F = 78

|Feb record high F = 82

|Mar record high F = 94

|Apr record high F = 95

|May record high F = 100

|Jun record high F = 106

|Jul record high F = 110

|Aug record high F = 111

|Sep record high F = 108

|Oct record high F = 98

|Nov record high F = 87

|Dec record high F = 78

|year record high F = 111

|Jan high F = 43.8

|Feb high F = 48.4

|Mar high F = 58.1

|Apr high F = 69.1

|May high F = 77.2

|Jun high F = 84.8

|Jul high F = 88.2

|Aug high F = 87.5

|Sep high F = 81.9

|Oct high F = 70.9

|Nov high F = 58.0

|Dec high F = 47.0

|year high F = 67.9

|Jan mean F = 35.5

|Feb mean F = 39.6

|Mar mean F = 48.0

|Apr mean F = 58.1

|May mean F = 67.4

|Jun mean F = 75.5

|Jul mean F = 79.1

|Aug mean F = 77.9

|Sep mean F = 71.4

|Oct mean F = 59.7

|Nov mean F = 48.1

|Dec mean F = 39.2

|year mean F = 58.3

|Jan low F = 27.2

|Feb low F = 30.7

|Mar low F = 37.8

|Apr low F = 47.1

|May low F = 57.7

|Jun low F = 66.2

|Jul low F = 70.0

|Aug low F = 68.2

|Sep low F = 60.8

|Oct low F = 48.6

|Nov low F = 38.2

|Dec low F = 31.4

|year low F = 48.7

|Jan record low F = −20

|Feb record low F = −22

|Mar record low F = −3

|Apr record low F = 20

|May record low F = 30

|Jun record low F = 40

|Jul record low F = 45

|Aug record low F = 41

|Sep record low F = 31

|Oct record low F = 20

|Nov record low F = −4

|Dec record low F = −14

|year record low F = −22

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 3.41

|Feb precipitation inch = 4.06

|Mar precipitation inch = 4.76

|Apr precipitation inch = 4.81

|May precipitation inch = 5.38

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.26

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.87

|Aug precipitation inch = 4.29

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.54

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.79

|Nov precipitation inch = 3.90

|Dec precipitation inch = 4.69

|year precipitation inch = 51.76

|Jan snow inch = 1.8

|Feb snow inch = 1.8

|Mar snow inch = 0.8

|Apr snow inch = 0.1

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.0

|Dec snow inch = 0.7

|year snow inch = 5.2

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10.2

|Feb precipitation days = 10.1

|Mar precipitation days = 11.7

|Apr precipitation days = 11.5

|May precipitation days = 11.9

|Jun precipitation days = 10.0

|Jul precipitation days = 8.9

|Aug precipitation days = 7.3

|Sep precipitation days = 7.8

|Oct precipitation days = 7.8

|Nov precipitation days = 10.3

|Dec precipitation days = 11.0

|year precipitation days = 118.5

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 1.3

|Feb snow days = 1.4

|Mar snow days = 0.5

|Apr snow days = 0.1

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.1

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 0.8

|year snow days = 4.2

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=pah

| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = June 4, 2021}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00153994&format=pdf

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| title = Station: Hopkinsville, KY

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

| access-date = June 4, 2021}}

}}

{{US Census population

| 1810 = 131

| 1830 = 1263

| 1840 = 1581

| 1860 = 2289

| 1870 = 3136

| 1880 = 4229

| 1890 = 5833

| 1900 = 7280

| 1910 = 9419

| 1920 = 9696

| 1930 = 10746

| 1940 = 11724

| 1950 = 12526

| 1960 = 19465

| 1970 = 21395

| 1980 = 27318

| 1990 = 29809

| 2000 = 30089

| 2010 = 31577

| 2020 = 31180

| estyear = 2022

| estimate = 30927

| estref = {{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

As of the census of 2010, there were 31,577 people, 12,600 households and 14,318 housing units in the city of Hopkinsville. The racial makeup of the city was 62.6% White, 31.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.5% from Hispanic or Latino origin, 61.1% White persons not Hispanic (U.S. Census), and 2.5% from two or more races.{{cite web |last=U.S. Census Bureau |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/2137918.html |access-date=1 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918011814/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/2137918.html |archive-date=18 September 2012 }}

There were 12,174 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The median income for a household in the city was $30,419, and the median income for a family was $37,598. Males had a median income of $30,349 versus $21,259 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,796. {{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The 2020 census estimated the population of Hopkinsville was 30,683 with a median household income of $39,743 and 23% of people living in poverty.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hopkinsville city, Kentucky |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/hopkinsvillecitykentucky |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=www.census.gov |language=en}}

Hopkinsville is part of the Clarksville, TN–KY Metropolitan Statistical Area. Clarksville lies approximately {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} to the south of Hopkinsville. Prior to 2003, the area was officially known as the Clarksville-Hopkinsville Metropolitan Statistical Area and included only Montgomery and Christian counties.{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro-city/99mfips.txt |title = Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Components, 1999 | format = TXT | publisher = United States Census Bureau, Population Division | date = 1999-06-30 | access-date = 2008-07-16}} In 2003, Hopkinsville was removed from the official name as it was no longer considered a principal city.{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro-city/03mfips.txt |title = Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Components, 2003 | format = TXT | publisher = United States Census Bureau, Population Division | date = 2003-06-06 | access-date = 2008-07-16}} That year, Stewart and Trigg counties were also added to the MSA. The four-county metropolitan area had a population of 232,000 in 2000. A July 1, 2007 estimate placed the population at 261,816.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv |title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01) |format=CSV |work=2007 Population Estimates |publisher=United States Census Bureau, Population Division |date=2008-03-27 |access-date=2008-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080403004148/http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv |archive-date=April 3, 2008 |url-status=dead }} {{as of|2007}}, the Clarksville Metropolitan Statistical Area is the 169th largest MSA in the United States.

Hopkinsville-Christian County is home to a wide range of businesses and industries, including Fortune 500 companies. Over 50 companies make up the local industrial community. Local industries provide a range of services and manufactured products.{{cite web|url=http://www.hopkinsvilleindustry.com/QCMS/index.asp?Page=Manufacturers%20Directory |title=Hopkinsville-Christian County EDC Business Services |work=hopkinsvilleindustry.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611081711/http://hopkinsvilleindustry.com/QCMS/index.asp?Page=Manufacturers%20Directory |archive-date=2011-06-11 }}

There are nine Japanese companies (wholly owned or joint ventures) in Hopkinsville, as well as one German, Spanish, Canadian and Italian.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The Western State Hospital, established in 1854 as the Western Lunatic Asylum, is an inpatient center for the treatment of mental illness. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The inpatient population {{as of|2004|lc=y}} was 220, from 34 counties in western Kentucky. Its three facilities employed 650 workers in 2004.[http://www.kentuckynewera.com/article_feaacb10-f1ac-5843-aca6-90db7e61f194.html] Bigham, Karen, "Western State Hospital," Kentucky New Era, April 5, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2012

Hopkinsville was the headquarters and primary manufacturing facility for Ebonite International, one of the oldest and largest bowling ball manufacturers. Ebonite had a broad market share as they own several well-known brand names including Hammer, Dyno-Thane, Columbia 300, Track, and Robby's. The Hopkinsville plants produced 60 percent of the world's bowling balls before their closing in November 2019 when they were purchased by Brunswick Bowling Products.{{cite web|last=Hickland |first=Ron |title=Ron Hickland designs bowling balls at Ebonite International |url=http://www.diversitycareers.com/articles/pro/13-augsep/managing_ebonite.htm |publisher=diversitycareers.com |access-date=29 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430060531/http://www.diversitycareers.com/articles/pro/13-augsep/managing_ebonite.htm |archive-date=30 April 2014 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kentuckynewera.com/web/article_81eb5230-0803-11ea-860e-6fdd80f9ebd8.html|title=Ebonite permanently closing after being purchased by Brunswick|last=reports|first=New Era staff|website=Kentucky New Era|date=November 15, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}

Hopkinsville-Christian County has strong agricultural roots dating back to the settlements in the 1790s. It has been a strong and consistent leader in the production of corn, winter wheat, soybeans, and tobacco.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Statistics released in December 2007, by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, show Christian County continues to be a leading crop producer. Christian County ranks:

• #1 crops for cash receipts
• #1 winter wheat
• #2 corn
• #3 dark fired tobacco
• #4 soybeans

Other key production includes burley tobacco, alfalfa hay, other hay, cattle, and calves and milk production. The county is the second largest in area in Kentucky at {{convert|722|sqmi|km2}} and has an estimated 1,150 farms with over {{convert|300,000|acre|km2}} of farmland, with {{convert|230,000|acre|km2}} in cropland. The average size farm is {{convert|267|acre|km2}}.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Agriculture has become a highly technical industry, and Christian County farmers realized the need for continuing education and technical training concerning implements, machinery, fertilizers, chemicals, seeds, and overall good farming practice. Because of this progressive attitude, Christian County continues to be an agricultural leader and example of good farming practices. The Hopkinsville Community College has a technical center specializing in agricultural classes. FFA classes at local high schools have over 200 members. The local 4-H group is extremely active serving over a thousand members in a variety of subjects.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The Chamber of Commerce maintains an Agri-Business Committee that promotes "Ag Week". The Agri-Business Committee promotes local agriculture with two events annually with a media blitz via newspaper, radio, and television; one in March during National Agriculture Week and again in July during Christian County Agriculture Week. It honors local farmers in the following four fields: Agri-Business of the Year, Farmer of the Year, Distinguished Service, and Friend of Agriculture. The committee also awards scholarships each year to a student who will pursue an agricultural course in college.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

According to Hopkinsville's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{Cite web|url=http://www.hopkinsvilleky.us/document_center/Finance/Annual_Reports/City%20of%20Hopkinsville%20CAFR%20-%20June%2030,%202020.pdf|title=Annual reports}} the top employers in the city were:

Hopkinsville is intersected by US 41, US 41A, US 68, US 68 Bypass, and the Interstate 169 (formerly Pennyrile Parkway). A four-lane bypass almost completely circles the city. The Southern portion of the bypass is the route for US 68 Bypass. Congressional funding approved for an extension of the Pennyrile Parkway (now I-169) to Interstate 24 in southern Christian County near Fort Campbell. Construction was completed in three phases. Phase One took the parkway to the US 68 bypass. Phase Two extended it to Lover's Lane. Phase Three, completed in late 2010 but not opened until early 2011, extended the parkway to meet I-24. {{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

All commercial air traffic for residents and visitors to Hopkinsville use Nashville International Airport. Hopkinsville is served by the Hopkinsville-Christian County Airport, a general aviation airport with one {{convert|5502|ft|m|-2|adj=on}} runway.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Railroad construction and operation in the late 1860s opened markets for agricultural and industrial products. Railroad service was inaugurated in Hopkinsville on April 8, 1868, by the Evansville, Henderson, & Nashville Railroad. This line was later extended north to Henderson and was acquired by the Louisville & Nashville Railroad (now CSX Transportation) in 1879. The Ohio Valley Railroad, purchased by the Illinois Central Railroad (now Illinois Central Gulf) in 1897, was built from Gracey to Hopkinsville in 1892 and abandoned in the 1980s. In 1903, the western division of the Tennessee Central Railway entered Christian County at Edgoten (Edge-of-Tennessee), connecting Clarksville and Hopkinsville. In 1990 the Hopkinsville-Fort Campbell portion was operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

{{see also|Media in Hopkinsville, Kentucky}}

The Kentucky New Era, founded in 1869, is the daily newspaper for the city and surrounding area.

Hopkinsville is part of the Nashville, Tennessee television designated market area (DMA). From 1983 to 2011, the city had its own local news station, WKAG, initially known in the area as TV-43 then as Source 16.{{Cite web|last=reports|first=New Era Staff|title=TV station alters local coverage|url=https://www.kentuckynewera.com/news/article_7a34a682-bff4-11e0-b356-001cc4c002e0.html|access-date=2021-09-18|website=Kentucky New Era|date=August 6, 2011 |language=en}}

WHVO radio began broadcasting in Hopkinsville with the call letters WKOA on September 19, 1954, under the license of Pennyrile Broadcasting Company. It was a middle-of-the-road (MOR format) in the 1970s, and then a big band/oldies format during the mid-1980s. The station's callsigns changed to WYKH on August 1, 1986. On December 14, 1987, the station changed its call sign to WQKS. WQKS was acquired by the station's current owner, Ham Broadcasting, in October 1995. The current WHVO callsigns came on May 16, 2000.

The Hoptown Chronicle is a "nonprofit, online news outlet that provides public service journalism from the heart of Hopkinsville."{{Cite web|url=https://business.christiancountychamber.com/list/member/hoptown-chronicle-inc-7503|title = Hoptown Chronicle Inc}}

Hopkinsville is home to The Alhambra, a 650-seat theatre established in 1928.{{Cite web |last=Battle |first=William |date=2023-01-31 |title=Hopkinsville's historic Alhambra Theater prepares to celebrate 95 years |url=https://www.wbko.com/2023/01/31/hopkinsvilles-historic-alhambra-theater-prepares-celebrate-95-years/ |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=www.wbko.com |language=en}} It opened as a film cinema but had been a performance venue since 1983, when operations were taken over by the Pennyroyal Arts Council.{{Cite web |title=Alhambra Theatre in Hopkinsville, KY – Cinema Treasures |url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/9241 |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=cinematreasures.org}}

Created in 1977, the Pennyroyal Arts Council encourages, develops, and promotes the arts appreciation through education, support, service, and presentation. Programming includes the Live at the Alhambra series, public school performances, the Missoula Children's Theatre, and local art exhibits.[https://www.pennyroyalarts.org/pennyroyal-arts-council]

The Hopkinsville Art Guild provides exhibition{{Cite web |last=Chronicle |first=Hoptown |date=2023-03-24 |title=Hopkinsville Art Guild slates spring exhibit |url=https://hoptownchronicle.org/hopkinsville-art-guild-slates-spring-exhibit/ |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=Hoptown Chronicle |language=en-US}} and educational opportunities for visual arts.{{Cite web |title=Hopkinsville Art Gallery |url=https://business.christiancountychamber.com/list/member/hopkinsville-art-guild-314 |access-date=2023-05-28 |language=en-US}}

From the 1930s to the 1960s, Hopkinsville had two stops on the Chitlin' Circuit tour route, The Skylark and The Chesterfield, which featured Black musical performers like Tina Turner, Count Bassie, Chubby Checker, James Brown, Little Richard, and Cab Calloway.{{Cite web |title=Tina Turner Visited Hopkinsville As Part of Famous Chitlin' Circuit |url=https://www.wkdzradio.com/2023/05/25/tina-turner-visited-hopkinsville-as-part-of-famous-chitlin-circuit/news-edge/ |access-date=2023-05-28 |website=WKDZ Radio |language=en-US}}

Hopkinsville was a stop along the Trail of Tears, and the National Park System's "Trail of Tears Commemorative Park,"{{Cite web | url=https://www.nps.gov/trte/planyourvisit/kentucky.htm| title=Places to Go: Kentucky – Trail of Tears National Historic Trail (U.S. National Park Service)}} along 9th Street on the Little River, commemorates this history. Every September, the Trail of Tears Indian Pow-Wow comes to town to Trail of Tears Park. There is a museum and a burial ground, including two important Cherokee leaders who died during the removal – Fly Smith and Whitepath, along with several large osage orange trees in it and dream catchers hanging from the wrought iron fence. There is also a sunken amphitheater. A group of plaques commemorate the great uprooting and journey, and its devastating effect upon the Cherokee people.{{cite web|url=http://www.trailoftears.org/|title=Trail of Tears|author=Timothy Griffey|work=trailoftears.org}} It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Pennyroyal Area Museum, located in the old post office building downtown, has exhibits on the history of Hopkinsville and the Pennyrile region. The Pennyroyal Area Museum is owned and funded by the city of Hopkinsville and was established to perpetuate the heritage of southwestern Kentucky's rich history. In 1974, the city of Hopkinsville acquired the old Post Office building from the U.S. government for use as an educational museum. The Pennyroyal Area Museum was established in October 1975, and opened on July 8, 1976. Its board and staff maintain a wide range of activities in its endeavor to preserve and interpret the past. Area citizens have contributed important roles in the Kentucky tradition from the post revolution era to the present. Historical in scope, the museum attempts to portray the development of the nine county Pennyrile region. Exhibits include the night riders of the Black Patch Tobacco Wars; Edgar Cayce, famed local clairvoyant; Jefferson Davis; period room settings; a pioneer bedroom; a miniature circus; antique quilts; black history; historic modes of transportation; as well as historical license plates from Kentucky.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022}}

Every May, Hopkinsville hosts Little River Days, a two-day family fun festival featuring road running, canoe racing, a bicycle tour, arts and crafts, food vendors and live entertainment. All activities take place at Merchant Park in downtown Hopkinsville.

During the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, Hopkinsville was the closest metropolitan area to the point of greatest eclipse,{{Cite news|last=Bell|first=Terena|title=Perspective {{!}} How the coming solar eclipse has brought hope to my struggling Kentucky home town|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2017/07/26/how-the-coming-solar-eclipse-has-brought-hope-to-my-struggling-kentucky-hometown/|access-date=2020-12-31|issn=0190-8286}} which occurred about {{convert|12|mi|km|0}} northwest of the city center in nearby Cerulean, Kentucky.

The opening text of the horror-comedy film Attack of the Killer Tomatoes notes that Hopkinsville was invaded by millions of black birds in 1975. While damage was caused around Hopkinsville, the birds actually roosted in nearby Fort Campbell.{{cite magazine |title=Environment: The War on the Blackbirds |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,917149,00.html |magazine=Time |date=24 February 1975 |access-date=23 August 2022}}

The city is also known for the Kelly–Hopkinsville encounter,{{cite web |title=The Eerie Story Behind the Small Town Everyone Is Flocking to for the Eclipse This Summer |url=https://www.countryliving.com/life/a44064/eclipseville-hopkinsville-ky-history/ |website=Country Living |date=21 July 2017 |access-date=30 January 2019}} "a series of connected incidents of alleged close encounters with supposed extraterrestrial beings."{{Citation needed|date=August 2014}}

• {{flagdeco|France}} Carentan, France (since 2019). A road in Hopkinsville was renamed "Carentan Way".{{Cite news |date=Feb 10, 2021 |title=Aux Etats-Unis, une rue d'Hopkinsville baptisée 'Carentan Way' |language=french |trans-title=United States: road in Hopkinsville renamed 'Carentan Way' |work=La Presse de la Manche |url=https://actu.fr/normandie/carentan-les-marais_50099/aux-etats-unis-une-rue-d-hopkinsville-baptisee-carentan-way_39298549.html}}

Hopkinsville is part of the Christian County Public Schools system.{{cite web|url=http://www.christian.k12.ky.us/ |title=Christian County Public Schools |publisher=Christian.k12.ky.us |access-date=2012-05-15}}

In August 2021, Christian County Public Schools Board voted to consolidate Christian County High School, Hopkinsville High School and two Gateway Academy Campuses into one College & Career Academy High School.[https://whopam.com/2023/11/13/christian-county-schools-announces-decision-to-not-proceed-with-early-consolidation/] The planned opening of the school is the Fall semester of 2026, with Christian County High School and Hopkinsville High School closing the same semester. The school will be named after Christian County High School.

There are three private schools in Hopkinsville:

• Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, a Catholic school serving students from preschool through eighth grade.
• University Heights Academy, a college preparatory school serving students from preschool through twelfth grade.
• Heritage Christian Academy, a college preparatory Christian school serving students from preschool through twelfth grade.

Hopkinsville has a lending library, the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library.{{cite web | url=https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202017/https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 January 2019 | title=Kentucky Public Library Directory | publisher=Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives | access-date=5 June 2019}}

Hopkinsville Carnegie Library''

The Hopkinsville Carnegie Library was opened in 1914. It served the community until 1977, then sat vacant until restoration was begun in 2007. Currently the restoration is 2/3 complete, and the ground floor is now open and available for rent as an event space. The exterior has been completely restored.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hopkinsville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=499351&cityname=Hopkinsville%2C+Kentucky%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Climate Summary for Hopkinsville, Kentucky|work=Weatherbase}}

• George L. Atkins, former mayor of Hopkinsville (1972–1975){{cite news |first=Jennifer P.|last=Brown |title=George L. Atkins Jr., former Hopkinsville mayor, dies at age 82 |url=https://hoptownchronicle.org/george-l-atkins-jr-former-hopkinsville-mayor-dies-at-age-82/ |work=Hoptown Chronicle |publisher= |date=2014-04-15 |access-date=2024-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417202454/https://hoptownchronicle.org/george-l-atkins-jr-former-hopkinsville-mayor-dies-at-age-82/ |archive-date=2024-04-17}}
• Bird Averitt, former NBA and ABA guard
• Ned Breathitt, former governor of Kentucky
• John Brim, musician and composer.{{cite web | url=https://hoptownchronicle.org/hopkinsville-native-john-brim/ | title=Hopkinsville native John Brim regarded as one of Chicago's most talented blues musicians | date=June 18, 2020 }}
• Greg Buckner, NBA shooting guard
• Harry Buckner, baseball pitcher and outfielder in the Negro leagues
• Edgar Cayce (1877–1945), an American Christian mystic and psychic{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/12606|title=Grave of Edgar Cayce, Famous Prophet, Hopkinsville, Kentucky|website=RoadsideAmerica.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-20}}
• Jerry Claiborne, former college football coach for the Kentucky Wildcats
• Edward M. Coffman, military historian
• John Miller Cooper, pioneer of kinesiology
• Tony Crunk, children's book author and poet{{Cite web |last=Kentucky |first=University Press of |date=2011-02-07 |title=Kentucky poet Tony Crunk sounds a voice for the uprooted |url=https://kentuckypress.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/kentucky-poet-tony-crunk-sounds-a-voice-for-the-uprooted/ |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=The University Press of Kentucky |language=en}}
• Logan Feland, United States Marine Corps Major General
• Bettiola Heloise Fortson (1890–1917), poet, civil rights activist, suffragist{{Cite web|url=http://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/2316|title=Fortson, Bettiola Heloise · Notable Kentucky African Americans Database|website=nkaa.uky.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-20}}
• Steve Gorman, drummer for The Black Crowes
• Asbury Harpending, financier and adventurer
• bell hooks (1952–2021), feminist author and social activist{{Cite news |last=Risen |first=Clay |date=2021-12-15 |title=bell hooks, Pathbreaking Black Feminist, Dies at 69 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/books/bell-hooks-dead.html |access-date=2022-11-25 |issn=0362-4331}}
• Larry Jones, thoroughbred racing trainer since 1982, former commercial farmer
• Mac King, comedic magician
• Margaret Rose Knight (1918–2010), First Lady of North Carolina, 1961–1965
• Brice Long, country music artist
• Riccardo Martin, operatic tenor
• Lane McCray, International recording artist, La Bouche
• Teresa Medeiros, award-winning romance novelist
• Doug Moseley, former member of the Kentucky State Senate
• Artose Pinner, NFL running back
• Christine Johnson Smith, opera singer and Tony Award-nominated Broadway actress
• Lynn Starling, screenwriter and playwright
• Adlai Stevenson (1835–1914), politician, 23rd vice-president of the United States{{Cite web |date=2013-10-29 |title=Adlai Ewing Stevenson |url=https://www.visithopkinsville.com/about/famous-people/adlai-ewing-stevenson/ |access-date=2022-11-25 |website=Visit Hopkinsville – Christian County |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last=Humphreys |first=George G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wUgjEAAAQBAJ |title=The Fall of Kentucky's Rock: Western Kentucky Democratic Politics since the New Deal |date=2022-01-18 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |isbn=978-0-8131-8235-3 |language=en}}
• Keith Tandy, NFL safety
• Cory Trice, NFL Cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Thomas R. Underwood, former congressman and U.S. senator
• Ed Whitfield, former congressman
• Chris Whitney, former NBA point guard
• Moe Williams, NFL running back, thoroughbred owner and trainer

{{portal|American Civil War}}

• Kelly–Hopkinsville encounter, a close encounter which occurred in 1955

{{reflist|30em}}

• Glazier, Jack. Been Coming Through Some Hard Times: Race, History, and Memory in Western Kentucky (University of Tennessee Press; 2013) 304 pages; Combines history and ethnography in a study of Hopkinsville

• [http://www.HopkinsvilleKy.US City of Hopkinsville official website]
• [http://www.hopkinsville.info "Move to Christian County"], Christian County Chamber of Commerce
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080907080701/http://www.hopkinsvilleindustry.com/ Hopkinsville Christian County Economic Development Council]}}

{{Christian County, Kentucky}}

{{Kentucky}}

{{Kentucky county seats}}

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Category:Cities in Kentucky

Category:Cities in Christian County, Kentucky

Category:County seats in Kentucky

Category:Populated places established in 1796

Category:Clarksville metropolitan area

Category:1804 establishments in Kentucky