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Magoffin County, Kentucky

Coordinates: 37°42′N 83°04′W / 37.70°N 83.06°W / 37.70; -83.06
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Magoffin County
County
Magoffin County justice center in Salyersville
Magoffin County justice center in Salyersville
Map of Kentucky highlighting Magoffin 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°42′N 83°04′W / 37.7°N 83.06°W / 37.7; -83.06
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1860
Named forBeriah Magoffin
SeatSalyersville
Largest citySalyersville
Area
 • Total
309 sq mi (800 km2)
 • Land308 sq mi (800 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
11,637
 • Estimate 
(2023)
11,228 Decrease
 • Density38/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitemagoffincounty.ky.gov

Magoffin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,637.[1] Its county seat is Salyersville.[2] The county was formed in 1860 from adjacent portions of Floyd, Johnson, and Morgan Counties. It was named for Beriah Magoffin who was Governor of Kentucky (1859–62).[3][4]

History

[edit]

The area now encompassed by Kentucky's Magoffin County was first bounded in 1772, when all of what is now the state of Kentucky was in the frontier county of Fincastle County, Virginia. Fincastle was divided in 1776, with the western portion named Kentucky County, Virginia.[5] In 1780, the Virginia legislature set aside all land in Kentucky County for soldiers who had served in the Revolutionary War. In 1780, Kentucky County was divided into 3 counties, Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln. Fayette County was divided in 1785, with part becoming Bourbon County.[6][7] In 1792, the lower part of Bourbon County was partitioned off to form Clark County[8] The area was further divided in 1796 to form Montgomery County, with Fleming County being partitioned from the area in 1798. In 1800, Floyd County was created from portions of Fleming, Mason, and Montgomery Counties. In 1843, Johnson County was carved out of the previous Bath County area,[9] which was created in 1811 from Montgomery County, and which lost a portion of its territory in 1843 for the creation of Johnson County.

In 1860, the Kentucky Legislature partitioned parts of Johnson, Floyd, and Morgan Counties, to create Magoffin County. Its boundaries have remained unchanged since that time.

During the Civil War, Magoffin County was a border county, with a moderate unionist majority existing in the area, albeit with highly divided sentiment. While approximately 123 men enlisted in the Confederate Army, approximately 292 men served in the Union Army.[10]

As the late 19th century progressed, Magoffin County became a leading supplier in oil and gas production in the area, with some of the first oil wells in Eastern Kentucky being built in the county.[11]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 309 square miles (800 km2), of which 308 square miles (800 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.2%) is water.[12] It is watered by Licking River.[13]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18704,684—
18806,94448.2%
18909,19632.4%
190012,00630.6%
191013,65413.7%
192013,8591.5%
193015,71913.4%
194017,49011.3%
195013,839−20.9%
196011,156−19.4%
197010,443−6.4%
198013,51529.4%
199013,077−3.2%
200013,3321.9%
201013,3330.0%
202011,637−12.7%
2023 (est.)11,228[14]−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790-1960[16] 1900-1990[17]
1990-2000[18] 2010-2021[19]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 13,333 people living in the county. 98.6% were White, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% of some other race and 0.7% of two or more races. 0.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[20] of 2000, there were 13,332 people, 5,024 households, and 3,858 families living in the county. The population density was 43 per square mile (17/km2). There were 5,447 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (6.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.29% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.02% from other races, and 0.27% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There is a significant Melungeon or mixed race group of Carmel Indians in Magoffin County. In a 2007 study by the U.S. Census Bureau, Magoffin County, along with Mitchell County in Iowa, was cited as the U.S. county having the largest percentage of individuals in the demographic category of "Non-Hispanic white alone."[21]

There were 5,024 households, out of which 37.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.20% were non-families. 21.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% 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 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.80% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $19,421, and the median income for a family was $24,031. Males had a median income of $27,745 versus $18,354 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,685. About 31.20% of families and 36.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.90% of those under age 18 and 29.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

[edit]

Magoffin County prior to the 1930s was a strongly Republican County at the national level, voting for the Republican Party in an unbroken streak under the Fourth Party System from 1880 to 1932. However at the state and local level it remained Democratic, voting for James B. McCreary in 1875, and Preston Leslie in 1879 for governor – both former Confederates.

However, between 1932 and 2004, Magoffin County generally began to vote Democratic in presidential elections; since the 2000s, it has voted Republican. It voted for Democrat Andy Beshear for Governor in both the 2019 and 2023 gubernatorial elections, but Republican for all other statewide offices.

United States presidential election results for Magoffin County, Kentucky[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,288 81.18% 909 17.21% 85 1.61%
2020 4,174 76.63% 1,214 22.29% 59 1.08%
2016 3,824 74.75% 1,172 22.91% 120 2.35%
2012 3,391 69.12% 1,433 29.21% 82 1.67%
2008 2,434 52.33% 2,105 45.26% 112 2.41%
2004 2,836 49.60% 2,843 49.72% 39 0.68%
2000 2,785 51.07% 2,603 47.74% 65 1.19%
1996 1,434 35.45% 2,249 55.60% 362 8.95%
1992 1,992 34.88% 3,261 57.10% 458 8.02%
1988 2,158 42.48% 2,895 56.99% 27 0.53%
1984 2,343 44.22% 2,942 55.53% 13 0.25%
1980 2,265 42.76% 2,986 56.37% 46 0.87%
1976 1,793 42.06% 2,451 57.49% 19 0.45%
1972 2,243 52.39% 2,024 47.28% 14 0.33%
1968 1,927 46.74% 1,967 47.71% 229 5.55%
1964 1,327 34.44% 2,498 64.83% 28 0.73%
1960 2,736 52.54% 2,471 47.46% 0 0.00%
1956 2,343 51.96% 2,162 47.95% 4 0.09%
1952 2,093 48.20% 2,243 51.66% 6 0.14%
1948 1,882 45.51% 2,253 54.49% 0 0.00%
1944 2,135 51.25% 2,031 48.75% 0 0.00%
1940 2,668 48.68% 2,812 51.30% 1 0.02%
1936 2,577 50.17% 2,554 49.72% 6 0.12%
1932 2,661 49.32% 2,721 50.44% 13 0.24%
1928 2,816 60.93% 1,806 39.07% 0 0.00%
1924 2,196 55.25% 1,757 44.20% 22 0.55%
1920 2,347 63.18% 1,352 36.39% 16 0.43%
1916 1,535 51.23% 1,433 47.83% 28 0.93%
1912 1,004 43.50% 891 38.60% 413 17.89%

Economy

[edit]

The last active coal mine in Magoffin County closed in 2015. In 2022, the TipTop Coal Mine in Magoffin County reopened, making the total number of coal mines in the county one. Major employers now include several coal truck businesses.[23]

Communities

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City

[edit]

Unincorporated communities

[edit]

Education

[edit]

There is one school district: Magoffin County School District.[24]

Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Magoffin County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ E., Kleber, John; Kentucky, University Press of; Policy, Institute for Regional Analysis and Public; Library, Camden-Carroll; University, Morehead State (January 1, 2000). "The Kentucky Encyclopedia". {{cite web}}: |last3= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Vol. 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 36.
  5. ^ "About Kentucky". Ezilon Search. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2006.
  6. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Vol. 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 35.
  7. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 124.
  8. ^ "Clark County". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. 2000. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  9. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Vol. 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 35.
  10. ^ Prats, J.J. "Legends in Blue and Gray". hmdb.org. The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Savage, William (1936). "Works Progress Administration and Historical Records Survey". Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  13. ^ Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Magoffin" . The American Cyclopædia.
  14. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  17. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  21. ^ "Minority Population is Booming Nationally and in Utah - Science News". redOrbit. August 9, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  22. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Top 10 of 2015 - Salyersville Independent".
  24. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Magoffin County, KY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 22, 2024. - Text list
[edit]

37°42′N 83°04′W / 37.70°N 83.06°W / 37.70; -83.06

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