Jump to content

Martin County, Kentucky

Coordinates: 37°48′N 82°31′W / 37.80°N 82.52°W / 37.80; -82.52
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Martin, Kentucky.

Martin County
County
County government center
County government center
Map of Kentucky highlighting Martin County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°48′N 82°31′W / 37.8°N 82.52°W / 37.8; -82.52
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedSeptember 1, 1870
Named forJohn P. Martin
SeatInez
Largest cityInez
Area
 • Total231 sq mi (600 km2)
 • Land230 sq mi (600 km2)
 • Water1.0 sq mi (3 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total11,287
 • Estimate 
(2023)
10,928 Decrease
 • Density49/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.martincountykentucky.com

Martin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,287.[1] Its county seat is Inez.[2] The county was founded in 1870 and is named for Congressman John Preston Martin.[3][4]

History

[edit]

Martin County was formed in 1870, and named for congressman John Preston Martin. The county seat was initially located in Warfield, but was moved to Inez due to its more central location in the county.

The county has long been reliant on the coal industry. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson visited Inez, where he announced the launch of the War on Poverty.[5]

Administration

[edit]

The current officials of Martin County

  • County Judge/Executive: Lon Lafferty MD
  • Magistrate District 1 : Cody Slone
  • Constable District 1 : Homer "Pickle" Mills
  • Magistrate District 2 : Kermit Howell
  • Constable District 2 : Randy Lafferty
  • Magistrate District 3 : Tracy Spence
  • Constable District 3 : Alex Fannin
  • Magistrate District 4 : Junior Hunt
  • Constable District 4 : Bradford Preece
  • Magistrate District 5 : Ronald Workman
  • Constable District 5 : Mitchell Bowen
  • County Attorney: Melissa Fannin Phelps
  • County Coroner: Chris Todd
  • County Jailer: Bill Preece
  • County Sheriff: John Kirk
  • Property Valuation Administrator: Bobby Hale
  • County Clerk: Susie Skyles
  • Circuit Court Clerk: Denise Gauze

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 231 square miles (600 km2), of which 230 square miles (600 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6] The county's eastern border is formed by the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River.

Adjacent counties

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18803,057—
18904,20937.7%
19005,78037.3%
19107,29126.1%
19207,6545.0%
19308,58412.2%
194010,97027.8%
195011,6776.4%
196010,201−12.6%
19709,377−8.1%
198013,92548.5%
199012,526−10.0%
200012,5780.4%
201012,9292.8%
202011,287−12.7%
2023 (est.)10,928[7]−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2021[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 12,578 people, 4,776 households, and 3,620 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 per square mile (21/km2). There were 5,551 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.25% White, 0.03% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.01% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,776 households, out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18; 9.50% from 18 to 24; 29.30% from 25 to 44; 23.30% from 45 to 64; and 9.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $18,279, and the median income for a family was $21,574. Males had a median income of $31,994 versus $18,011 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,650. About 33.30% of families and 37.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.10% of those under age 18 and 26.90% of those age 65 or over.

United States presidential election results for Martin County, Kentucky[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 3,343 91.46% 287 7.85% 25 0.68%
2020 3,496 88.82% 403 10.24% 37 0.94%
2016 3,503 88.62% 363 9.18% 87 2.20%
2012 3,180 83.16% 574 15.01% 70 1.83%
2008 2,824 76.49% 808 21.89% 60 1.63%
2004 2,996 66.01% 1,504 33.14% 39 0.86%
2000 2,667 59.85% 1,714 38.46% 75 1.68%
1996 1,612 41.92% 1,807 47.00% 426 11.08%
1992 1,961 47.89% 1,715 41.88% 419 10.23%
1988 2,587 61.65% 1,581 37.68% 28 0.67%
1984 3,238 68.03% 1,471 30.90% 51 1.07%
1980 2,793 63.05% 1,567 35.37% 70 1.58%
1976 2,120 62.12% 1,267 37.12% 26 0.76%
1972 2,495 77.87% 661 20.63% 48 1.50%
1968 1,943 68.42% 759 26.73% 138 4.86%
1964 1,567 47.40% 1,694 51.24% 45 1.36%
1960 2,809 71.57% 1,116 28.43% 0 0.00%
1956 2,927 80.57% 694 19.10% 12 0.33%
1952 2,641 69.23% 1,174 30.77% 0 0.00%
1948 1,964 67.24% 911 31.19% 46 1.57%
1944 2,067 78.33% 571 21.64% 1 0.04%
1940 2,275 73.34% 826 26.63% 1 0.03%
1936 2,037 71.35% 817 28.62% 1 0.04%
1932 1,774 69.32% 770 30.09% 15 0.59%
1928 1,674 80.44% 404 19.41% 3 0.14%
1924 1,512 72.94% 364 17.56% 197 9.50%
1920 1,726 83.10% 330 15.89% 21 1.01%
1916 1,100 78.40% 280 19.96% 23 1.64%
1912 655 54.18% 256 21.17% 298 24.65%

Economy

[edit]

The Federal Bureau of Prisons U.S. Penitentiary, Big Sandy is located in unincorporated Martin County, near Inez.[15]

They are 3 industrial parks located in Martin County. They are the Honey Branch Industrial Park, The Calloway Industrial Park and the John Callahan Industrial Park

  • Honey Branch Industrial Park is an industrial park that is run by 4 different counties in the region. The major tenants are the Big Sandy Regional Airport. The Federal Bureau of Prisons U.S. Penitentiary, Big Sandy. Core Energy Corporation, Consolidated Pipe and Supply, Boxvayna, Appleatcha Apple Orchard, CZAR Coal and Offices for Booth Energy and subsidies
  • Calloway Industrial Park is pretty much abandoned. There was a Dirt Race Track and a Machine Shop. Mostly just houses and 1 water tank
  • John B Callahan Industrial Park is home to C&S Vaults and the Martin County Board of Education Transportation Garage and Maintenance Department.

Coal companies in Martin County

[edit]
  • Alliance Resource Partners[16]
  • Excel Coal Corporation
  • Booth Energy
  • CZAR Energy

Education

[edit]

The Martin County School System operates public schools.

  • Martin County High School
  • Martin County Area Technology Center
  • Martin County Middle School
  • Eden Elementary School
  • Inez Elementary School
  • Warfield Elementary School
  • Martin County Head Start

There is one private Christian school located in Martin County

  • Sure Foundations Christian Academy

There is one Private Vocational School located in Martin County

  • TEK Center

Communities

[edit]

Cities

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Martin County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Martin County". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. 2000. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  4. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 36.
  5. ^ Jarvie, Jenny (February 12, 2019). "The water runs milky and can feel like fire. In this impoverished county, Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan may not help". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  15. ^ "Institution Supplement." United States Penitentiary, Big Sandy. 2 (2/18). Retrieved on February 21, 2011. "USP Big Sandy is located at 1197 Airport Rd, Inez, Kentucky." and "Directions from Interstate 64: From the following areas: Ashland, KY, Huntington, WV, and the Ohio area, travel Interstate 64 to Kentucky Exit 191 to Route 23 South. Follow 23 South for approximately 38 miles until you reach Route 645. Turn left onto Route 645 South and travel approximately 11 miles until you reach Route 3. Turn right onto Route 3 and travel for approximately 10 miles until you reach Airport Road. Turn left onto Airport Road and follow signs to the institution."
  16. ^ Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. » Central Appalachia Archived July 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]

37°48′N 82°31′W / 37.80°N 82.52°W / 37.80; -82.52

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martin_County,_Kentucky&oldid=1256670764"