McCracken County, Kentucky

McCracken County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 65,565. The county seat and only municipality is Paducah. McCracken County was the 78th county formed, having been created in 1825.

McCracken County is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is part of the Jackson Purchase, located at the extreme western end of Kentucky.

History

McCracken County was founded in 1825, from Hickman County and was named for Captain Virgil McCracken of Woodford County, Kentucky, who was killed in the Battle of Frenchtown in southeastern Michigan during the War of 1812.

The Battle of Paducah occurred in McCracken County on March 25, 1864. The skirmish between the Union and Confederate troops ended in a Confederate victory. Altogether 140 men fell in the battle.

Law and government

McCracken County is represented congressionally as District 1 of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 268 square miles (690 km²), of which 249 square miles (640 km²) is land and 19 square miles (49 km²) (7.2%) is water. The county's northern border with Illinois is formed by the Ohio River, and its northeastern border by the Tennessee River.