Pike County, Kentucky
Pike County, Kentucky | |
---|---|
Pike County courthouse in Pikeville | |
Location in the state of Kentucky | |
Kentucky's location in the U.S. | |
Founded | 1821 |
Named for | Zebulon Pike |
Seat | Pikeville |
Largest city | Pikeville |
Area | |
• Total | 789 sq mi (2,044 km2) |
• Land | 787 sq mi (2,038 km2) |
• Water | 1.8 sq mi (5 km2), 0.2% |
Population | |
• (2010) | 65,024 |
• Density | 83/sq mi (32/km²) |
Congressional district | 5th |
Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
Website |
www |
Pike County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 65,024.[1] Its county seat is Pikeville.[2] The county was founded in 1821.[3]
Pike is Kentucky's easternmost county, it is also the state's largest county in terms of land area. Pike County is the 11th largest county in Kentucky in terms of population preceded by Bullitt County and followed by Christian County. Pike County is Kentucky's third largest banking center, with financial institutions and holding companies having more than $1 billion in assets.[4] In the five years spanning 1995-2000, personal income increased by 28%, and the county's per capita income exceeded the national and state average growth rates of the past decade.[5] Pike County is the seventy-first Kentucky county in order of creation.
With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a moist county—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited (a dry county), but containing a "wet" city, in this case two cities: Pikeville and Coal Run Village, where package alcohol sales are allowed.[6]
History
Pike County was founded on December 19, 1821. The county was named for General Zebulon Pike, the explorer who discovered Pikes Peak.[7] Between 1860 and 1891 the Hatfield-McCoy feud raged in Pike and in bordering Mingo County, West Virginia. On May 6, 1893, Pikeville officially became a city and the county seat.
Pike County is also home to Paul E. Patton, former governor of Kentucky.
The Appalachian News Express, published in Pikeville, is preserved on microfilm by the University of Kentucky Libraries. The microfilm holdings are listed in a master negative database on the UK Libraries Preservation and Digital Programs website.[8]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 789 square miles (2,040 km2), of which 787 square miles (2,040 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.2%) is water.[9] It is the largest county by area in Kentucky.
The main population areas of the county include the city of Pikeville and surrounding suburbs and the unincorporated town of South Williamson which is located in the northeast portion of the county.
Major highways
Pike County has a total of 486.285 miles of classified roads.[10]
Adjacent counties
- Martin County (north)
- Mingo County, West Virginia (east)
- Buchanan County, Virginia (southeast)
- Dickenson County, Virginia (south)
- Wise County, Virginia (south)
- Letcher County (southwest)
- Knott County (southwest)
- Floyd County (west)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1830 | 2,677 | — | |
1840 | 3,567 | 33.2% | |
1850 | 5,365 | 50.4% | |
1860 | 7,384 | 37.6% | |
1870 | 9,562 | 29.5% | |
1880 | 13,001 | 36.0% | |
1890 | 17,378 | 33.7% | |
1900 | 22,686 | 30.5% | |
1910 | 31,679 | 39.6% | |
1920 | 49,477 | 56.2% | |
1930 | 63,267 | 27.9% | |
1940 | 71,122 | 12.4% | |
1950 | 81,154 | 14.1% | |
1960 | 68,264 | −15.9% | |
1970 | 61,059 | −10.6% | |
1980 | 81,123 | 32.9% | |
1990 | 72,583 | −10.5% | |
2000 | 68,736 | −5.3% | |
2010 | 65,024 | −5.4% | |
Est. 2014 | 63,034 | [11] | −3.1% |
U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2013[1] |
As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 68,736 people, 27,612 households, and 20,377 families residing in the county. The population density was 87 per square mile (34/km2). There were 30,923 housing units at an average density of 39 per square mile (15/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.35% White, 0.45% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The largest self-reported ancestry groups in Pike County, Kentucky are:[17]
There were 27,612 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.20% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.90.
The age distribution was 23.70% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,930, and the median income for a family was $29,302. Males had a median income of $32,332 versus $19,229 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,005. About 20.60% of families and 23.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.20% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over. The zip codes 41502 (Pikeville), 41503 (South Williamson), and 41527 (Forest Hills) are the wealthiest portions of the county. 41502 is the 50th wealthiest zip code in Kentucky, 41503 is the 61st wealthiest, and 41527 is the 63rd wealthiest. South Williamson and Forest Hills are located on the Northeast side of the county. These three areas combine to 2,129 residents and make up around 3% of the county's population. The average income for these areas are $51,962 (41502), $49,345 (41503), and $48,484 (41527).[18]
Economy
Pike County has vast fossil fuel, (coal and natural gas) reserves. Pike County is one of the nation's leading coal and natural gas producers. In April 2007, Pike County announced the first-in-the-nation comprehensive energy strategy which was developed in partnership with the Southern States Energy Board in Atlanta, Georgia, whose Executive Director is Ken Nemeth.[19]
Pike County is the second-largest coal producing county as reported in 2013 next to Union County in the western part of the state. Adding that to the counties of Harlan County, Perry County, and Martin County, Eastern Kentucky produces nearly 3⁄4 of all coal produced in the entire state.[20] Over 150 million tons are produced annually throughout the state.[21]
The economic status of Eastern Kentucky and Appalachia has come to be a prominent discussion in the news. The poverty level of counties in the Appalachian region of Kentucky is 24.4% compared to the United States Poverty Level of 12.4%.[22] Of the top eight coal-producing counties in eastern Kentucky, Pike County is the only county that does not have a higher poverty rate than Appalachian Kentucky as a whole.
Coal companies in Pike County
- Alliance Resource Partners[23]
- Alpha Natural Resources[24]
- James River Coal Company[25]
- Rhino Resource Partners[26]
- TECO Coal[27][28]
Economic growth
Over 1,400 businesses contribute to the growing economy in Pikeville. Local city government is rapidly working to promote business development by attracting and supporting new businesses, as well as existing businesses. From 2005-2011, downtown Pikeville has seen major growth. The Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center was constructed in 2005 and seats 7,000.[30] It features numerous events including world-renowned concerts and shows. The county is also home to the Pikeville Concert Association which secures renowned cultural events for the area. These events usually take place at Booth Auditorium on the campus of the University of Pikeville.
The Pikeville Medical Center received a $44 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program in 2010 to construct an eleven-story office building and adjacent parking garage in downtown. Construction was completed in 2014.[31]
The University of Pikeville broke ground on a nine-story building (the Coal Building) on Hambley Boulevard in downtown Pikeville in early 2011 to house the University of Pikeville's School of Osteopathic Medicine.[32]
In the summer of 2011, Jenny Wiley Theatre group announced their collaboration with the city of Pikeville to construct a 200-seat indoor professional theater in downtown Pikeville. The theatre opened in May 2014.[33]
Government
The office of Pike County Judge Executive is one of Kentucky's most powerful local offices and served as a launching pad for the governorship of Paul E. Patton (1995–2003).[34]
Healthcare
Hospitals
- Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville, Kentucky
- Appalachian Regional Healthcare, South Williamson, Kentucky
Education
Pike County Colleges
Pike County Schools
The Pike County School System consists of 25 high, middle, and elementary schools.[35]
High schools
- Belfry High School, Belfry, Kentucky
- East Ridge High School, Lick Creek, Kentucky
- Phelps High School, Phelps, Kentucky
- Pike County Central High School, Pikeville, Kentucky
- Shelby Valley High School, Pikeville, Kentucky
Middle and elementary schools
The following lists of middle and elementary schools is categorized by the high school they feed:
- Belfry High School System
- Belfry Middle School
- Bevins Elementary
- Blackberry Elementary
- Southside Elementary
- Belfry Middle School
- East Ridge High School System
- Elkhorn City Elementary School
- Feds Creek Elementary School
- Millard Elementary School
- Phelps High School System
- Majestic-Knox Elementary School
- Phelps Elementary School
- Pike County Central High School System
- Johns Creek Elementary School
- Kimper Elementary School
- Mullins School
- Shelby Valley High School System
- Dorton School
- Valley Elementary School
- Dorton School
Shelby Valley Day Treatment Center, Phelps Day Treatment Center, are all discipline facilities. Northpoint Academy is a high school drop out prevention program that focuses on the individual needs of the student. All students at Northpoint are there on a voluntary basis.
Pikeville Independent Schools
- High School
- Pikeville High School, Pikeville
- Elementary School
- Pikeville Elementary School
Private schools
- St. Francis of Assisi Pikeville, Kentucky
- Christ Central Pikeville, Kentucky
Sports
Baseball
Pike County has had several minor league teams based out of Pikeville . From 1982-83, the Pikeville Cubs were located in the city. They were part of the Appalachian League and affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. In 1984, the team changed to become affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers, thus changing its name to the Pikeville Brewers. In 2010 Pikeville Independent's baseball team finished in the final four at the KHSAA Baseball State Tournament. In 2012 and in 2013 Pikeville Junior High baseball finished runner up in the Kentucky Middle School State Tournament both years.
Basketball
In 2007, the East Kentucky Miners came to Pike County after the opening of the Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. the team played in Pikeville from 2007-2010. In 2010, the American Basketball Association opened an expansion franchise in Pikeville called the East Kentucky Energy. In 2011, UPike Men's Basketball won the National Championship defeating Mountain State University.
Football
In 2010 the Pike County Crusaders, an Indoor Arena Football team, was announced as coming to the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, but the initiative soon failed. In 2011, The East Kentucky Drillers, an Indoor Arena Football franchise came to the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville. In 2012, the team changed its name to the Kentucky Drillers.
Club | Sport | Years Active | League | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|
East Kentucky Drillers | Indoor Arena Football | 2011-2012 | UIFL | Eastern Kentucky Expo Center |
East Kentucky Energy | Basketball | 2010-2012 | ABA | Eastern Kentucky Expo Center |
East Kentucky Miners | Basketball | 2007-2010 | ABA | Eastern Kentucky Expo Center |
Kentucky Drillers | Indoor Arena Football | 2012–present | CIFL | Eastern Kentucky Expo Center |
Pikeville Brewers | Baseball | 1984 | Appalachian League | Howard Field |
Pikeville Cubs | Baseball | 1982-1983 | Appalachian League | Howard Field |
Communities
- Ashcamp
- Beefhide (partial)
- Belcher
- Belfry
- Canada
- Cedarville
- Coal Run Village
- Dorton
- Elkhorn City
- Fedscreek
- Fords Branch
- Freeburn
- Garden Village
- Hellier
- Jonancy
- Kimper
- Lick Creek
- McCarr
- Mouthcard
- Phelps
- Phyllis
- Pikeville (county seat)
- Raccoon
- Shelbiana
- Sidney
- South Williamson
- Stone
- Stopover
- Varney
- Virgie
Notable residents
- Woody Blackburn – professional golfer
- Jessica Casebolt – Miss Kentucky 2012
- Stephen Cochran – country music singer and songwriter
- Robert Damron – professional golfer
- Patty Loveless – country music singer
- Paul E. Patton – former Governor of Kentucky
- Mark Reynolds – professional baseball player
- Will T. Scott – Deputy Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court
- Jonny Venters – professional baseball player
- Warner Wolf – sports journalist
- Dwight Yoakam – country music singer and songwriter
- Randolph McCoy- leader involved in the Hatfield McCoy feud
- Katherine G. Langley - first female member of Congress from the state of KY
- Mary Elliott Flanery - first female member of KY House of Representatives
See also
- Big Sandy Area Development District
- Breaks Interstate Park
- Elkhorn City Railroad Museum
- Fishtrap Lake State Park
- Jefferson National Forest
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Pike County, Kentucky
- Pikeville Cut-Through
References
- 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ↑ http://www.kyenc.org/entry/p/PIKEC01.html
- ↑ "Pikeville: Mayberry, with muscle" (PDF). Kentucky Monthly. March 2005. Retrieved 2014-06-24.
- ↑ "Pike County, Kentucky". Pike County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ↑ "Wet & Dry Counties in Kentucky" (PDF). Kentucky Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
- ↑ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 36.
- ↑ http://lib..uky.edu/repro/
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet" (PDF). Commonwealth of Kentucky.
- ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-context=adp&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR2&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-tree_id=3308&-redoLog=true&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=05000US21195&-format=&-_lang=en
- ↑ "Highest Income Zip Codes". IRS. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
- ↑ "Pike noted as 'Energy Capital' at state summit". The Medical Leader. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
- ↑ "KY Coal Facts". Kentucky Office of Mine Safety and Licensing Annual Report, 2006. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
- ↑ "About Kentucky Coal". Copyright © 2003 -2008 Roger Philpot All Rights Reserved. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
- ↑ "Economic Status of Coal-Producing Counties". Mountain Association for Community Economic Development. Retrieved May 19, 2010. External link in
|publisher=
(help) - ↑ Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. » Central Appalachia
- ↑ [Alpha Natural Resources - 2012 Kentucky Operations]
- ↑ James River Coal Company – McCoy Elkhorn complex
- ↑ Rhino Resource Partners - Central Appalachia
- ↑ Clintwood - TECO Coal
- ↑ Premier - TECO Coal
- ↑ Virginia State Parks 2012 Attendance and Economic Impact Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
- ↑ About Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
- ↑ "Pikeville Medical opens new clinic, parking". The Herald-Dispatch. 2014-04-11. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
- ↑ Coal Building Ground Breaking coalminingourfuture.net. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
- ↑ Jenny Wiley Theatre opens second location in Pikeville WKYT-TV. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
- ↑ Pike County Judge/Executives Since 1965 Office of the Pike County Judge Executive. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
- ↑ "Schools". Pike County Board of Education. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
External links
|
|
Coordinates: 37°28′N 82°23′W / 37.47°N 82.39°W