McKee is a home rule-class city located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States. It is the seat and second-largest community of Jackson County.[2] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 803.[3] The city was founded on April 1, 1882, and was named for Judge George R. McKee.[4] In 2019, the city held a vote regarding the sale of alcohol, which passed, making the city wet.[5]
McKee, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
 Jackson County Courthouse in McKee | |
| Motto(s): Where the Mountains and the Bluegrass Blend | |
 Location of McKee in Jackson County, Kentucky | |
| Coordinates: 37°25′49″N 83°59′37″W / 37.43028°N 83.99361°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Jackson |
| Incorporated | April 1, 1882 |
| Named for | Judge George R. McKee |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| • Mayor | Michael Stidham |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.41 sq mi (6.23 km2) |
| • Land | 2.41 sq mi (6.23 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,030 ft (314 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 803  |
| • Density | 333.75/sq mi (128.85/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 40447 |
| Area code | 606 |
| FIPS code | 21-49116 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0513872 |
Geography
editMcKee is located in the central part of Jackson County, within the Daniel Boone National Forest. U.S. Route 421 passes through the center of town, leading northwest 34 miles to Richmond and southeast 29 miles to Manchester. Kentucky Route 89 runs north from McKee 28 miles to Irvine and southwest 24 miles to Livingston, while Kentucky Route 290 leads south from McKee 9 miles to Annville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.33 square miles, of which 0.3 acres or 0.02%, are water.[3] The city sits in the valley of Pigeon Roost Creek, which joins Birch Lick Creek at the western end of the city to form Indian Creek, a southwest-flowing tributary of the Middle Fork of the Rockcastle River, part of the Cumberland River watershed.
Outdoor recreation
edit- Bond Memorial Park
- Jackson County Veterans Park
- McKee City Park
- Jack Gabbard Park
- McKee Reservoir
- Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail[7]
- Big Turtle Trail
- Daniel Boone National Forest[8]
- Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area
Events
editJackson County Fair & Homecoming
editThis event is held annually on the Friday and Saturday before Labor Day. Festivities include 4-H craft exhibits, music entertainment, clogging, vendors, food trucks, and a parade.[9]
Sheltowee Trace Artisans Fair
editLocal and guest artisans from across the state come to teach, demonstrate, and sell their crafts at this event, which is held during the first weekend in May.[9]
Demographics
edit| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 88 | — | |
| 1900 | 106 | — | |
| 1910 | 146 | 37.7% | |
| 1920 | 173 | 18.5% | |
| 1930 | 190 | 9.8% | |
| 1960 | 234 | — | |
| 1970 | 255 | 9.0% | |
| 1980 | 759 | 197.6% | |
| 1990 | 870 | 14.6% | |
| 2000 | 878 | 0.9% | |
| 2010 | 800 | −8.9% | |
| 2020 | 803 | 0.4% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 803 | 0.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[10] | |||
As of the 2020 census,[11] there were 803 people residing in the town. The racial makeup of the city was 97.65% White, 1.03% Black or African American, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population. The median age of residents was 40.9 years.
The median income for a household in the town was $20,061, and the median income for a family was $21,289. About 40% of the population were below the poverty line.
The median rental price in the city was $338 a month and the median house value was $107,000.
Economy
editThe Jackson County - McKee Industrial Development Authority (JCMIDA) assists with economic development efforts in the county. The authority manages several industrial parks within Jackson County, one of which is located in McKee.[12]
Major employers located in the city include:
- Jackson County Public Schools
- Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC)
- Jackson County Fiscal Court
- Umine LLC.
Utilities
editPower in McKee is served by Jackson Energy, which is headquartered in the city and serves Jackson County and surrounding counties such as Lee County, Owsley County, Clay County, Laurel County, Rockcastle County, and Madison County.[13] Cable TV, internet, and phone in McKee is served by Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, which is also headquartered in the city and serves Jackson County, Owsley County, and Clay County.[14] McKee Water and Sewer also serves residents in the city.[15]
Healthcare
editMcKee does not have a hospital. Nearby facilities include Saint Joseph Hospital (Berea), Baptist Health Hospital (Richmond), Advent Health (Manchester), Saint Joseph Hospital (London) and, Rockcastle Regional Hospital. (Mt. Vernon)
Emergency medical services for McKee are provided by the Jackson County Ambulance Service. McKee does have a few primary care facilities which include the White House Clinic, McKee Medical Clinic, and Advent Health.
Education
editPublic education
editThe city is served by the Jackson County Public School system. The following schools operate within the city:[16]
- McKee Elementary School
- Jackson County Middle School
- Jackson County High School
- Jackson County Area Technology Center
Public Library
edit- Jackson County Public Library.[17]
References
edit- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): McKee city, Kentucky". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Collins, Lewis (1877). History of Kentucky. Library Reprints, Incorporated. p. 352. ISBN 9780722249208.
- ^ "Historical Wet/Dry Vote for City of McKee - Results!". Jackson County Sun. Nolan Media Group. November 8, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Recreation". Jackson County Kentucky Tourism. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Map & Trial Info". Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Daniel Boone National Forest". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ a b "Fairs and Festivals". Jackson County Kentucky Tourism. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "About". Jackson County - McKee Industrial Development Authority. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "About Us". Jackson Energy Cooperative. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "About Us". Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Departments and Agencies". City of McKee, KY. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Jackson County Public Schools, KY". Jackson County Public Schools. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
- ^ "Kentucky Public Library Directory". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.