Marion, Kentucky
| Marion, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
| City | |
|
Nike Ajax located at the Middle School | |
| Motto: "Kentucky's Hidden Treasure" | |
 Location of Marion, Kentucky | |
| Coordinates: 37°19′57″N 88°4′45″W / 37.33250°N 88.07917°WCoordinates: 37°19′57″N 88°4′45″W / 37.33250°N 88.07917°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Crittenden |
| Incorporated | 1842[1] |
| Reïncorporated | 1851[1] |
| Named for | Brig. Gen. Francis Marion |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.35 sq mi (8.68 km2) |
| • Land | 3.32 sq mi (8.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 3,039 |
| • Density | 914/sq mi (352.8/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 42064 |
| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 |
| FIPS code | 21-50034 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0497543 |
| Website |
www |
Marion is a home rule-class city[2] in Crittenden County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county.[3] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,039.[4]
The farm communities surrounding Marion are home to a large Amish population. The Marion-Crittenden County Airport is located west of the city.
History
The city is named for Francis Marion, a brigadier general from South Carolina in the American Revolutionary War.
Marion was founded in 1842 on land donated by Dr. John S. Gilliam. It was incorporated in 1844, and a post office was established in 1846.[5]
A railroad line from Blackford to Princeton was completed in 1887, and a depot was established at Marion. Originally owned by the Illinois Central Railroad, it has since been abandoned, which has enabled the construction of the Marion Rail Trail, a multi-use recreation trail.[6]
A one-room Rosenwald School opened in Marion in 1926 for African-American children. Graduates attended high school in neighboring Caldwell County until 1936, after which they attended high school in Princeton.[7]
Geography
Marion is located near the center of Crittenden County at 37°19′57″N 88°4′45″W / 37.33250°N 88.07917°W (37.332505, -88.079051).[8] U.S. Route 60 and U.S. Route 641 intersect in the center of town. US 60 leads northeast 30 miles (48 km) to Morganfield and southwest 45 miles (72 km) to Paducah, while US 641 leads south 10 miles (16 km) to Fredonia and 20 miles (32 km) to the Western Kentucky Parkway.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Marion has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.7 km2), of which 0.03 square miles (0.07 km2), or 0.79%, is water.[4]
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 102 | — | |
| 1880 | 833 | 716.7% | |
| 1890 | 840 | 0.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,064 | 26.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,627 | 52.9% | |
| 1920 | 1,718 | 5.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,892 | 10.1% | |
| 1940 | 2,163 | 14.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,375 | 9.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,468 | 3.9% | |
| 1970 | 3,008 | 21.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,392 | 12.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,320 | −2.1% | |
| 2000 | 3,196 | −3.7% | |
| 2010 | 3,039 | −4.9% | |
| Est. 2014 | 3,002 | [9] | −1.2% |
As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 3,196 people, 1,415 households, and 881 families residing in the city. The population density was 971.7 people per square mile (375.1/km²). There were 1,595 housing units at an average density of 484.9 per square mile (187.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.65% White, 1.75% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.
There were 1,415 households, out of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city, the population was spread out with 20.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 22.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 81.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,854, and the median income for a family was $33,980. Males had a median income of $26,628 versus $18,646 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,766. About 20.2% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.5% of those under age 18 and 15.8% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
The internationally-known Ben E. Clement Mineral Museum is located in Marion. Its collection of fluorite crystal specimens is significant, and a reflection of Crittenden County's importance in the history of fluorite mining.
Marion is home to the Marion Bobcats, a wood bat baseball team in the Ohio Valley League. Three other teams from Kentucky--Fulton, Owensboro, and Dawson Springs—are also in the league. The Bobcats play a 42-game season each June and July.
The Holiday Drive-In Theater was located east of Marion, and had a 200-car capacity. It has since been demolished.[12]
Education
Students are served by Crittenden County Schools.
The Crittenden County Elementary School, Middle School, and High School are each located in Marion.
Notable people
- Lee Cruce, second governor of Oklahoma
- Shelby Hearon, novelist and short story writer
- Ollie Murray James, represented Kentucky in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate
- Walter Walker (1883-1932), U.S. senator representing Colorado in 1932, and a newspaperman in Grand Junction, Colorado
- Rip Wheeler, professional baseball player
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Marion has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[13]
References
- 1 2 Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Mackville, Ky". Accessed 25 August 2013.
- ↑ "Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform" (PDF). Kentucky League of Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- 1 2 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Marion city, Kentucky". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
- ↑ Rennick, Robert M. (1984). Kentucky Place Names. University Press of Kentucky.
- ↑ "Kentucky's Abandoned Railroad Corridor Inventory: Blackford to Fredonia". kyrailbeds.com.
- ↑ Montell, William Lynwood (2011). Tales from Kentucky One-room School Teachers. University of Kentucky Press.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "Holiday Drive-In". Drive-On-In, Inc.
- ↑ Climate Summary for Marion, Kentucky
External links
- City of Marion official website
- Marion Tourism Commission
- "Marion, Kentucky", University of Kentucky Atlas and Gazetteer
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