McCracken County, Kentucky

Founding: 1825 (declared in 1821)
Parent county: Livingston

Namesake: Virgil McCracken, Kentucky soldier
Seat: Wilmington (1827–1832); Paducah (1832–)

Land area: 249 square miles

Population (2020): 67,875

Population (historic): 1,297 (1830); 10,360 (1860); 16,262 (1880); 28,733 (1900); 46,271 (1930)

Periods of population growth: pre-1830–2020

Subdivisions: One city; four CDPs

Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 2,837 (8.9%)
Pre-1940 housing survival rate: 25.8%
Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940): 9.6%

Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 8.8%

Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 17.6%

Average farmhouse value (1930): $857
Average outbuilding value (1930): $502
Average farmhouse size (1940): 4.3 rooms
Number of farms (1920): 2,128
Average farm size (1920): 47.6 acres
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Paducah

Namesake: Unclear—perhaps a reference to the Comanche people

Founding: 1827 (platting); 1828 (post office); 1838 (incorporation)

Population (2020): 27,137

Population (historic): 105 (1830); 2,428 (1850); 6,866 (1870); 19,446 (1900); 33,541 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1827–1940; 1950s; 2010s
Pre-1940 residences (estimated): 2,064 (15.9%)
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Outstanding Buildings

1. The Angles / Quintus Quigley House (c. 1855). 540 Alben Barkley Drive. Italianate.
2. Kenmil Place / Bigger–Kennedy House (1869/1923). 4300 Alben Barkley Drive. Classical Revival.
3. Whitehaven / Anderson–Atkins House (1859–1869/1903). 1845 Lone Oak Road. Classical Revival.

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