Graves County is located in the United States, Commonwealth of Kentucky.  It was formed in 1824.  As of 2000, the population was 37,028.  Our county seat is Mayfield.  The county is named for Major Benjamin Franklin Graves, a soldier in the War of 1812.  The Mayfield Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Graves County.

Graves County is a “limited” dry county, meaning that sale of alcohol in the county is prohibited except for alcohol by the drink in restaurants in Mayfield which have seating for at least 100 patrons or at the Mayfield Golf and Country Club.

As one of Kentucky’s largest counties, Graves’ history of legends and leaders includes a US Vice-President, four US Congressmen, famous and infamous heroes, singers and songwriters, noted writers and a legacy of historic sites.

The fertile land attracted early settlers from Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, who brought with them a degree of education and culture and a fierce determination to succeed on the land.  Remarkable in their achievements as craftsmen and farmers they put down roots to blend a political, economic, and social environment unique, perhaps only to Graves County.

Tobacco was very much a part of the local economy over the years and Graves County ha a rich history of the dark-fired and dark-air-cured leaf tobacco used in smokeless tobacco.  A woolen mill, began operation prior to the Civil War and continued to grow with the men’s clothing market.  Several clothing companies were added and the town’s minor league baseball team was even called the “Mayfield Clothiers”.

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 556 square miles of which 555 square miles is land and 1 square mile is water.

As of July 2009, population for Graves County was estimated at 37,719 (30% urban, 70% rural).  With a land area of 556 square miles and water area of 0.9 square miles, the average population  for the county was 68 people per square mile.  In December 2009, the cost of living index in Graves County was 78.1 out of the US average of 100.  Employment was at manufacturing (22.1%), education, health, and social services (20.3%); and retail trade (12.3%).  The type of workers were private wage or salary 77%; government 12%; self-employed, not incorporated 10%; and unpaid family work 1%.  The racial composition was white non-hispanic (91.7%); black (4.4%); Hispanic (2.4); other race (1.3%) two or more races (1.1%); and American Indian (0.7%).  (Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races).  The median age of the residents was 38.1 years, with 18,041 (48.7%) males and 18,987 (51.3%) females.  The estimated median household income in 2008 was $38,086 ($30,874 in 1999).  Percentage of residents with income below the poverty level in 2008 was 16.4%

LINKS

Purchaseadd.org
Westkentuckymegasite.com
Gravescountyed.com
Thinkkentucky.com