About Larue County
Larue County, Kentucky, established in 1843, is located in central Kentucky and includes approximately 263 square miles. Larue County Seat is Hodgenville, famously known as the birthplace of President Abraham Lincoln. As of recent estimates, Larue County has a population of approximately 14,000 residents. Larue County is named after John P. LaRue, an early Kentucky legislator. Major landmarks include the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, which preserves the Sinking Spring Farm where Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, and Lincoln's boyhood home at Knob Creek.
Larue County's geography features rolling hills, rich agricultural land, and portions of the Muldraugh Escarpment. The Lincoln Heritage Scenic Highway runs through Larue County, attracting thousands of visitors annually. Larue County Clerk's office is located at 209 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748, and handles various public records including property records, marriage licenses, and business filings.
The Property Valuation Administrator (Property Valuation Administrator) maintains property assessment records at 103 West High Street, Hodgenville. Larue County's economy traditionally centered on agriculture, particularly tobacco and livestock farming, but has diversified to include tourism related to Lincoln heritage sites, small manufacturing, and retail businesses serving both locals and visitors to the historic sites.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Larue County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement in Larue County, particularly in unincorporated areas. The office oversees the patrol of rural regions, manages Larue County jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The sheriff's office is also involved in community programs meant to crime prevention and public safety education. The office has divisions dedicated to drug enforcement and school resource officers, reflecting its commitment to addressing specific community needs.
Police Departments
Larue County is served by Larue County Sheriff's Office and the Hodgenville Police Department. The sheriff's office handles law enforcement in rural and unincorporated areas, while the Hodgenville Police Department is responsible for policing within the city limits of Hodgenville. These agencies coordinate on major crimes and emergencies, making sure of full coverage and response across Larue County. The collaboration between these departments enhances public safety and resource sharing, particularly in investigations and community policing initiatives.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Law enforcement in Larue County is primarily provided by Larue County Sheriff's Office, located at 219 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748. Larue County Detention Center, operated by the Sheriff's Office, houses inmates awaiting trial and those serving short-term sentences. Inmate lookup and jail roster information can be obtained by calling the detention center directly or visiting the Sheriff's Office during business hours.
- Under Kentucky Open Records Act (KRS 61.870 to 61.884), citizens have the right to request arrest records, incident reports, and booking information from law enforcement agencies.
- Written requests should be submitted to the custodian of records at the respective agency.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available as part of arrest records and can be requested under the same statute.
- Some agencies may charge reasonable copying fees as permitted by law.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records ecosystem in Larue County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and sex offender registrations. Residents can run background checks through the Kentucky State Police, which provides full criminal history reports. The bureau's services are crucial for employers, landlords, and individuals seeking detailed background information for various purposes.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Larue County are maintained by Larue County Sheriff's Office. These records include details of the arrest, charges, and booking information. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the sheriff's office directly, following procedures outlined under the Kentucky Open Records Act. A typical arrest record in Larue County will contain the individual's personal information, charges, and the arresting officer's details. The sheriff's office ensures compliance with state regulations regarding public access to these records.
Jail & Inmate Records
Larue County Detention Center is the primary jail facility serving Larue County. It handles the booking process for people arrested within Larue County, where arrestees are photographed and fingerprinted. Inmate information can be accessed through the detention center's online inmate lookup tool. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments in advance and adhere to strict guidelines.
- The bond and bail process in Kentucky allows for cash bonds or surety bonds, and individuals can find information on recently arrested persons through the sheriff's office or detention center.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Larue County are taken and retained by Larue County Detention Center during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the detention center's online system or by request at the sheriff's office. Kentucky does not have specific mugshot removal laws, but individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of charges. The availability of mugshots is subject to the state's public records laws, which govern their dissemination and use.
Courts & Case Records
Larue County's judicial system includes the Larue Circuit Court and Hodgenville area District Court, both located at Larue County Justice Center, 209 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil cases with claims exceeding $5,000, divorces, adoptions, and appeals from District Court. Larue County Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases, traffic violations, preliminary hearings in felony cases, civil cases under $5,000, small claims up to $2,500, juvenile matters, and probate cases including wills and estates.
- Certified copies of court documents can be obtained from the Circuit Court Clerk's office for a fee of $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus $6 for certification.
The Circuit Court can be contacted through the office’s website, and the District Court for Kentucky Court of Justice provides online case lookup through the CourtNet system, accessible at courts.ky.gov, where users can search civil, criminal, and traffic cases by name, case number, or citation number. Some case information may be restricted for privacy or security reasons. Under Kentucky Revised Statute KRS 61.870 to 61.884, court records are generally public unless specifically exempted by law or court order.
The Clerk's office maintains indexes of all court filings, judgments, and orders. Marriage dissolution records are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk. Probate matters, including estate administration and guardianship cases, are handled in District Court but filed with the Circuit Court Clerk.
Visiting the courthouse in person allows access to case files and docket sheets during regular business hours.
Property & Public Records
Property and land records for Larue County are maintained by Larue County Clerk's office, which is the County Recorder, located at 209 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748 The Clerk's office records and indexes all real estate instruments including warranty deeds, mortgage deeds, liens, easements, rights-of-way, and plat maps. These records date back to Larue County's formation in 1843 and are indexed by grantor, grantee, and property location. The office maintains deed books, mortgage books, and miscellaneous record books that contain various property related documents.
- Recording fees are established by Kentucky statute and typically include $33 for the first page and $3 for each additional page for deeds and mortgages.
- Certified copies are available for $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus the $6 certification fee.
Researchers can search these records in person during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. Property tax records and assessment information are maintained separately by Larue County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA), located at 103 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748 The PVA's office maintains property maps, assessment cards showing building characteristics and land descriptions, and annual tax roll information.
While Larue County has limited online GIS mapping capabilities compared to larger Kentucky counties, property information can be researched by contacting the PVA's office directly or visiting in person. The PVA can provide property ownership information, tax assessment values, and property characteristics for all real estate parcels in Larue County.
Vital Records
Vital records for Larue County residents are handled through multiple offices depending on the record type and date. Birth and death certificates that occurred in Larue County can be obtained from Larue County Clerk's office at 209 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748 Larue County Clerk maintains birth records and death records for events occurring within Larue County.
- Death certificates have the same fee structure.
- Processing time for mail requests is typically 4-6 weeks, while in-person requests at the state office in Frankfort can often be processed the same day.
- Online ordering is available through the Kentucky Department for Public Health's VitalChek partner website at kentucky.gov/vital records, though convenience fees apply.
- The marriage license fee is $35.50, and there is no waiting period in Kentucky.
- Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $6 for the first copy.
However, for certified copies needed for official purposes, the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics, located at 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40621, is the primary state repository and can be contacted through the office’s website. Birth certificates cost $10 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy of the same record when ordered simultaneously. Marriage licenses must be obtained from Larue County Clerk's office in Larue County where the ceremony will take place. Divorce records (dissolution of marriage decrees) are filed with the Circuit Court Clerk and can be obtained from the Larue Circuit Court Clerk's office at the same address.
Kentucky vital records law is codified in KRS 213.076 through 213.136. Proper government-issued photo identification is required to obtain certified copies, and only eligible persons as defined by statute may obtain certified copies of vital records.
Business & Licensing
Business and licensing records in Larue County are maintained by several different agencies depending on the type of business activity. Larue County Clerk's office at 209 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748, handles local business certificate filings, also known as "doing business as" (DBA) or fictitious name registrations, required when a business operates under a name different from the owner's legal name. The fee for filing a business certificate is typically $20, and these records are public and can be searched at the Clerk's office.
For formal business entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, filings are made with the Kentucky Secretary of State's Business Filings Division. The Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search tool at web.sos.ky.gov/bussrchapi/ where anyyou can look up registered businesses, view their status, registered agent information, and filing history. Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, and healthcare professionals are issued by respective Kentucky state licensing boards rather than at Larue County level.
Sales tax permits are issued by the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Building permits, zoning approvals, and occupancy permits are handled by Larue County Planning and Zoning office, which can be contacted through Larue County Judge-Executive's office for The Lincoln Trail Area Development District provides economic development support for Larue County. Larue County Chamber of Commerce, which can be reached through local Hodgenville business networks, provides information about starting and operating businesses in Larue County and promotes local economic development initiatives.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Larue County are administered by Larue County Clerk, who is the County Clerk and oversees voter registration and election operations. The Clerk's office is located at 209 West High Street, Hodgenville, KY 42748, and can be contacted through the office’s website. Voter registration in Kentucky can be completed online at govoteky.com, the official State Board of Elections website, or by submitting a paper application to the County Clerk's office. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. Kentucky voters must be U.S.
- Absentee ballot applications can be requested from the County Clerk's office and must be received by the Tuesday before the election for mail ballots, though some categories allow later applications.
- Under KRS 61.870-884 and election-specific statutes, citizens can request copies of precinct results, voting machine tapes, and other election administration records to ensure transparency and verify election integrity.
- The Kentucky State Board of Elections website provides statewide election results and voter information resources that complement county-level services.
Citizens, at least 18 years old by the next general election, residents of Kentucky, and residents of Larue County for at least 28 days prior to election day. To find your polling place in Larue County, voters can use the precinct locator tool at govoteky.com or contact the County Clerk's office with their residential address. Election records that are public under Kentucky law include voter registration lists (with certain personal information redacted), campaign finance reports filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance, candidate filing documents, and official precinct-level election results.
In the November 2024 general election, Larue County, like many rural Kentucky counties, experienced turnout of approximately 62-68 percent of registered voters, reflecting strong engagement typical of presidential election years. The next major election is November 3, 2026, which will include U.S. House of Representatives races for Kentucky's congressional districts, and may include Kentucky state legislative races depending on district boundaries.
Absentee voting in Kentucky is available for voters who meet specific criteria including age 65 or older, illness or disability, military service, students attending school outside Larue County, or those who will be absent from Larue County on election day. Kentucky expanded absentee voting access through recent legislative changes.
Economy & Demographics
Larue County's economy has evolved from its agricultural roots to a more diversified base that prominently features tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail sectors. As a rural Kentucky county, agriculture remains significant, with cattle farming, hay production, and row crops being primary activities following the decline of tobacco farming.
- The median household income in Larue County is estimated at approximately $48,000, below the Kentucky state average, reflecting Larue County's rural character.
- Larue County's proximity to Elizabethtown and its military installation at Fort Knox provides some economic spillover effects.
The Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is Larue County's largest tourist attraction, bringing approximately 200,000 visitors annually to Larue County and supporting hotels, restaurants, gift shops, and related tourism businesses in Hodgenville and surrounding areas. Major employers include ElectroCraft Inc, a precision motor manufacturer; Ametek Rotron, which produces industrial blowers and motors; and Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health System. The healthcare sector, education through Larue County School District, and county government also provide significant employment.
Retail and service businesses along the Lincoln Parkway (US Highway 31E) serve both locals and tourists. Larue County has benefited from its location along major transportation corridors including Interstate 65 to the west and the CSX railroad. Unemployment rates in Larue County typically track slightly above the Kentucky state average, reflecting limited industrial diversification.
Recent economic development efforts have focused on heritage tourism expansion, downtown Hodgenville revitalization, and attracting small manufacturers. The Lincoln Legacy Foundation and local development organizations work to preserve historic resources while promoting sustainable economic growth that honors Larue County's unique Abraham Lincoln heritage.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online via CourtNet | Property: Limited: Online (In-Person Recommended) | Arrest/Jail: Limited: By Request/Phone | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or State Office | Business: Yes: Online (State) / In-Person (County) | Elections: Yes: Online via State Portal | Overall Score: 6.5/10, Larue County provides access to public records primarily through in-person visits and phone requests, with state-level online systems supplementing local access for courts, business entities, and voter information.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Larue County
Explore public records for 4 cities and communities in Larue County, Kentucky.