Geography
Gratz is located at 38°28'28" North, 84°57'10" West (38.474448, -84.952653)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²). 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 89 people, 35 households, and 24 families residing in the city. The population density is 98.2/km² (255.8/mi²). There are 43 housing units at an average density of 47.4/km² (123.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 94.38% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 5.62% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 5.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 35 households out of which 28.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% are married couples living together, 2.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% are non-families. 28.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the city the population is spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 154.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 123.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $14,167, and the median income for a family is $23,750. Males have a median income of $16,250 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the city is $9,217. 28.0% of the population and 12.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 40.0% are under the age of 18 and 0.0% are 65 or older.
Before the lock and dam system was built on the Kentucky River, Gratz was one of the most prosperous towns in the area due to the business of portaging goods around an unnavigable part of the river (Lock #2 is just up river at Lockport). Goods were also ferried across the river and transported up SR22 to Pleasureville, which had a railroad depot.
The town's streets are laid out in a grid pattern. There is a local bank, and many large, well-built houses.
Before public electric service was available, a diesel powered generator fed street lights (and some homes?) from dusk until about 10pm. A former operator of this plant reported that he learned how much fuel to put into the engine that it would run out at the desired time (saved him a trip down the hill).