West Liberty, Kentucky

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

West Liberty is a city in Morgan County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 3,277 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Other information
4 External links

[edit] Geography

West Liberty is located at 37°54′59″N, 83°15′41″W (37.916320, -83.261386)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.5 km² (4.4 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,277 people, 696 households, and 446 families residing in the city. The population density was 285.6/km² (739.3/mi²). There were 758 housing units at an average density of 66.1/km² (171.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 79.43% White, 18.19% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 696 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the city the population was spread out with 10.1% under the age of 18, 14.8% from 18 to 24, 44.2% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 264.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 297.4 males. This unusual ratio is explained by the presence of the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex, as mentioned below.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,429, and the median income for a family was $30,875. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $19,464 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,215. About 25.7% of families and 28.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.6% of those under age 18 and 26.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Other information

West Liberty is located within the state's eastern region foothills about 20 miles from Cave Run Lake and Daniel Boone National Forest.

West Liberty celebrates the annual Sorghum Festival on the last weekend of September. Generally, the festival garners a few thousand each year, featuring a moderate variety of Appalachian crafts, local art, food, and other sundry items for sale and/or show. The festival also hosts a number of bluegrass performers. The festival is locally known for the "old mill," a horse-drawn sorghum mill, as well as the Sorghum Bowl, the local high school's homecoming football game.

West Liberty is home to the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. An extended campus branch of Morehead State University and University of Kentucky's Regional Technology Center are both located within the town.

Abraham Lincoln's uncle, Fielding Hanks, is reportedly one of several that helped establish the town and county in 1822.

War hero and Medal of Honor recipient William E. Barber was a graduate of the local high school.