Graves County, Kentucky

Graves County was named for Capt. Benjamin Franklin Graves, who was one of numerous Kentucky officers killed after being taken as a prisoner in the disastrous 1813 Battle of Raisin River in Michigan Territory during the War of 1812. He disappeared while being forced by the Potawatomi, allies of the British, to walk to the British Fort Malden in Amherstburg, Ontario. The Native Americans killed prisoners who could not keep up.{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ | title=The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1 | publisher=Kentucky State Historical Society | year=1903 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ/page/n35 35]}} Nearly 400 Kentuckians died in the January 22 battle, the highest fatality of any single battle during the war.

The fertile land attracted early settlers from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, who brought with them education, culture, and a fierce determination to succeed. They put down roots and created a unique political, economic, and social environment.

Tobacco was important. Graves County developed the dark-fired and dark-air-cured leaf tobacco used in smokeless tobacco farming. In the early 20th of the counties involved in the Black Patch Tobacco Wars, as white farmers organized into the area to suppress violence, after tobacco warehouses and other properties, including tons of tobacco, were being destroyed.

A woolen mill began operating before the Civil War and continued to expand with the men's clothing market. Several clothing manufacturing companies were added in the area. The county seat's minor league baseball team was named the Mayfield Clothiers for this historical connection.

During the post-Reconstruction period, racial violence by whites against blacks continued in Graves County; they exercised terrorism to re-establish and maintain white supremacy. Whites lynched 6 African Americans here after 1877; most were killed around the turn of the 20th century.[https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-supplement-by-county.pdf Lynching in America/ Supplement: Lynchings by County] {{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 3rd Edition, 2015, p.5 Four were killed during one week in 1896 in Mayfield, the county seat. Three were killed on December 23 in the so-called Mayfield Race War. Whites had heard rumors that blacks were arming elsewhere in the county in retaliation for the lynching of Jim Stone earlier that week. The whites recruited reinforcements from Fulton County and, overly tense, killed Will Suett, a young black man, as he was getting off a train to visit his family for the holidays. Two other black men were fatally shot soon after.[https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/1558 "Race War in Mayfield, KY"], NKAA: Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, 2003-2018, University of Kentucky Libraries; accessed March 25, 2018 Acknowledging that Suett's death was unprovoked, white residents took up a collection for his widowed mother.[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1896/12/25/108270983.pdf "Peace Reigns at Mayfield"], New York Times, December 25, 1896; accessed March 25, 2018

Like many other counties in Kentucky, Graves retained prohibition of the sale or consumption of alcohol, voting to be a "dry" county after Congress repealed Prohibition in the 20th century. Graves County was a "limited" dry county, meaning that sale of alcohol in the county is prohibited except for wine and beer in restaurants. In 2016, the county voted on whether to become a "wet" county but that attempt failed. Later in the year, a ballot measure was proposed and passed within the city limits of Mayfield (the county seat) to allow alcohol sales in stores and gas stations.

Graves County made national news in September 2011 for jailing several Amish men who refused to use orange safety triangles on their buggies for religious reasons. The Old Order Swartzentruber Amish used reflective tape instead. They said it was against their religion to use "loud colors" (as they characterized the orange triangles). They did not succeed in their appeal of their 2008 convictions. Menno Zook, Danny Byler, Mose Yoder, Levi Hostetler, David Zook, and Eli Zook refused to pay the small fines imposed with their convictions. All served sentences ranging from three to 10 days. Jail officials accommodated them by not forcing them to wear the typical orange county jail uniforms; they allowed the Amish to wear dark gray uniforms.{{cite news| url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/14/amish-men-jailed-over-refusal-to-use-orange-safety-triangle-on-buggies/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924051958/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/14/amish-men-jailed-over-refusal-to-use-orange-safety-triangle-on-buggies/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 24, 2011 | work=CNN | title=Amish men jailed over refusal to use orange safety triangle on buggies | date=September 14, 2011}}

Among notable county natives have been a US vice president, four US Congressmen, heroes, singers and songwriters, and noted writers. The county has numerous historic sites.

On December 10, 2021, the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado moved through the county, causing significant damage, and widespread devastation in Mayfield.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fifty-people-likely-killed-tornadoes-kentucky-governor-2021-12-11/|title=Night of devastating tornadoes likely kills more than 100 in Kentucky|newspaper=Reuters|date=December 13, 2021|last1=Orr|first1=Cheney}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/12/kentucky-tornadoes-up-to-100-feared-dead-in-historic-us-storms|title=Kentucky tornadoes: Up to 100 feared dead in historic US storms|website=TheGuardian.com|date=December 12, 2021}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|557|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|552|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.0|sqmi}} (0.9%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 14, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}

• McCracken County (north)
• Marshall County (northeast)
• Calloway County (southeast)
• Henry County, Tennessee (southeast)
• Weakley County, Tennessee (south)
• Hickman County (southwest)
• Carlisle County (northwest)

• Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge (part)

{{US Census population

| 1830 = 2504

| 1840 = 7465

| 1850 = 11397

| 1860 = 16233

| 1870 = 19398

| 1880 = 24138

| 1890 = 28534

| 1900 = 33204

| 1910 = 33539

| 1920 = 32483

| 1930 = 30778

| 1940 = 31763

| 1950 = 31364

| 1960 = 30021

| 1970 = 30939

| 1980 = 34049

| 1990 = 33550

| 2000 = 37028

| 2010 = 37121

| 2020 = 36649

| estyear = 2024

| estimate = 36821

| estref = {{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|access-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 14, 2014}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 14, 2014}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 14, 2014}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 14, 2014}} 2010-2020

}}

As of the census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }} of 2000, there were 37,028 people, 14,841 households, and 10,566 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|67|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 16,340 housing units at an average density of {{convert|29|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.73% White, 4.44% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.30% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,841 households, out of which 31.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.80% were non-families. 26.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.50% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,874, and the median income for a family was $38,054. Males had a median income of $32,016 versus $20,177 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,834. About 13.10% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.

{{PresHead|place=Graves County, Kentucky|whig=no|source1={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=July 1, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|13,378|3,105|195|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|13,206|3,560|253|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|12,671|3,308|627|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|10,699|4,547|257|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|10,056|5,843|256|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|9,903|6,206|120|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|7,849|6,097|285|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,130|6,991|1,682|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|5,311|8,001|2,029|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|6,274|7,153|118|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|7,287|6,759|124|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|6,556|6,999|261|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,195|8,982|243|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,098|3,701|301|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|3,239|5,103|3,871|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,389|9,958|43|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|4,854|7,689|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|3,711|10,090|14|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,925|9,592|13|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,442|8,682|304|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,172|8,057|9|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,122|9,786|27|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,692|9,231|142|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,825|9,888|51|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|3,223|6,237|24|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,279|7,266|268|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|3,241|9,018|241|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,930|5,197|148|Kentucky}}

{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|862|3,838|957|Kentucky}}

• Mayfield (county seat)
• Wingo

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Fancy Farm
• Farmington
• Hickory
• Lowes
• Pryorsburg
• Sedalia
• Symsonia
• Water Valley

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Bell City
• Boaz
• Boydsville (partial)
• Clear Springs
• Cuba
• Dogwood
• Dublin
• Dukedom (partial)
• Fairbanks
• Feliciana
• Folsomdale
• Golo
• Kaler
• Kansas
• Lynnville
• Melber (partly in McCracken County)
• Natchez Trace
• Pilot Oak
• Pottsville
• Poduck
• South Highland
• Stubblefield
• Tri City
• Viola
• West Viola
• Westplains
• Wheel

{{div col end}}

• Lucien Anderson, U.S. Representative
• Alben W. Barkley, U.S. Representative, Senator, and Vice President
• Lon Carter Barton, historian, state representative
• Andrew Boone, U.S. Representative
• Herschel Green, World War II flying ace in the United States Army Air Forces
• Noble Jones Gregory, U.S. Representative
• William Voris Gregory, U.S. Representative
• Carroll Hubbard, U.S. Representative
• John Paul Hogan
• Bobbie Ann Mason, author
• Kevin Skinner, country singer and reality show winner
• Adrian Smith, former NBA player
• Jimmy Work, songwriter

{{Portal|United States}}

• Dry counties
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Graves County, Kentucky

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.graves.k12.ky.us/ Graves County Schools]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20051224024359/http://www.mayfieldchamber.com/ Mayfield and Graves County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090916101742/http://www.gbgm-umc.org/graves/ Graves County Cluster of United Methodist Churches]
• [http://www.flytomayfield.com Mayfield Graves County Airport]
• [http://www.gravescountyky.com/ www.gravescountyky.com/]

{{Graves County, Kentucky}}

{{Kentucky}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|36.72|-88.65|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990|format=dms}}

Category:Kentucky counties

Category:1824 establishments in Kentucky

Category:Populated places established in 1824