History

Russell Springs is a 4th-class city in Russell County, Kentucky. The city is known as the gateway to Lake Cumberland, one of the largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi River. It was created by the impoundment of the Cumberland River by Wolf Creek Dam. Russell Springs is the largest city in the county, having a population of 2,511 during the year 2015 U.S. Census. Russell County sits at the start of the Central Time Zone line so all areas of Russell County reside in the Central Time Zone.

The present city grew out of a resort centered on a local Chalybeate (iron rich waters) spring. Area historian Rennick states that Samuel Patterson was generally credited with settling the site and that the community was known originally as Big Boiling Springs by 1850. The local US Post Office was established in 1855 as “Russell Springs”, named after the county, but was discontinued in 1865 and reopened as Kimble (after local businessman George Kimble) in 1888. The community restored the name Russell Springs in 1901 and incorporated in 1936. The county and the city are named after Col. William Russell, a local veteran, politician and businessman of the time.

Russell Springs is located geographically in the southern portion of the state of Kentucky and roughly halfway from east to west between its borders near37°3′17″N 85°4′52″W.  According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.6 square miles, all land.

As of the census of 2012, there were 2,452 people, 1,157 households, and 673 families residing in the city. The population density was 520.4 people per square mile. There were 1,280 housing units at an average density of 277.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.79% White, 0.17% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 1,157 households in 2000 out of which 22.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.0% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 23.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 77.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city in 2000 was $18,600, and the median income for a family was $26,464.

 

Historical photos