Kentucky

Rockcastle

16,037
2020 population
1810
first census record
22
census records

About Rockcastle

Rockcastle, Kentucky, first appears in the United States federal census in 1810, when it recorded a population of 1,731. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 16,037.

Its recorded population peaked at 17,165 in 1940, and has since declined by roughly 7 percent.

On the ground today, 3 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Battle of Wildcat Mountain, Battle of Camp Wildcat, Battle of Camp Wildcat Approach, and 4 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202016,037
201017,056
200016,582
199014,803
198013,973
197012,305
196012,334
195013,925
194017,165
193015,149
192015,406
191014,473
190012,416
18909,841
18809,670
18707,145
18605,343
18504,697
18403,409
18302,865
18202,249
18101,731
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Rockcastle

Military engagements that took place in Rockcastle, Kentucky.

Battle of Wildcat Mountain
1861
Battle of Camp Wildcat
1861
Battle of Camp Wildcat Approach
1861

Historic places in Rockcastle

National Register of Historic Places listings in Rockcastle, Kentucky.

Mount Vernon Commercial District
Mount Vernon
Lair, John, House and Stables
Renfro Valley
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Everything a full report reveals about Rockcastle County, Kentucky

This page charts the census history of Rockcastle County, Kentucky. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Rockcastle

When does Rockcastle first appear in the US census?
Rockcastle, Kentucky first appears in the federal census in 1810, with a recorded population of 1,731.
What is the population of Rockcastle?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Rockcastle had a recorded population of 16,037.
When did Rockcastle's population peak?
Rockcastle's recorded population peaked at 17,165 in 1940.
Were any battles fought in Rockcastle?
3 documented military engagements took place in Rockcastle, including Battle of Wildcat Mountain, Battle of Camp Wildcat, Battle of Camp Wildcat Approach.
How many historic places are in Rockcastle?
4 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Rockcastle, Kentucky.
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