Wikipedia

Perry County, Kentucky

Perry County is a county in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,473.[1] Its county seat is Hazard.[2] The county was founded in 1820.[3] Both the county and county seat are named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval hero in the War of 1812.[4]

Perry County
County
County courthouse in Hazard
County courthouse in Hazard
Flag of Perry County
Flag
Map of Kentucky highlighting Perry 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°14′N 83°14′W / 37.24°N 83.23°W / 37.24; -83.23
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedNovember 2, 1820
Named forOliver Hazard Perry
SeatHazard
Largest cityHazard
Area
 • Total
343 sq mi (890 km2)
 • Land340 sq mi (900 km2)
 • Water2.9 sq mi (8 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
28,473
 • Estimate 
(2023)
27,133 Decrease
 • Density83/sq mi (32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.perrycounty.ky.gov

History

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The area presently bounded by Kentucky state lines was a part of the U.S. State of Virginia, known as Kentucky County when the British colonies separated themselves in the American Revolutionary War. In 1780, Kentucky County was divided into three counties: Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln. In 1791, this area was separated into the State of Kentucky; it became effective on June 1, 1792. From that time, the original three counties were divided several times. By 1820, the present Perry County was formed from portions of Floyd and Clay counties. In 1824 the first post office was built on the north fork of the Kentucky River, and was called the Perry Post Office. The first settlers around this area were Elijah Combs, his seven brothers and daughter Jade Miller.

The county's economy has long been based on logging and mining coal.

Perry County is home to Hazard Community and Technical College. It is also home to the Hazard ARH Regional Medical Center, a not-for-profit health system operating 10 hospitals, multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, HomeCare Stores and retail pharmacies. It is the largest provider of care and single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third largest private employer in southern West Virginia.[5]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 343 square miles (890 km2), of which 340 square miles (880 km2) is land and 2.9 square miles (7.5 km2) (0.9%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18303,330—
18403,089−7.2%
18503,0920.1%
18603,95027.7%
18704,2748.2%
18805,60731.2%
18906,33112.9%
19008,27630.7%
191011,25536.0%
192026,042131.4%
193042,18662.0%
194047,82813.4%
195046,566−2.6%
196034,961−24.9%
197026,259−24.9%
198033,76328.6%
199030,283−10.3%
200029,390−2.9%
201028,712−2.3%
202028,473−0.8%
2023 (est.)27,133[7]−4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 29,390 people, 11,460 households, and 8,491 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 per square mile (33/km2). There were 12,741 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.34% White, 1.64% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,460 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 13.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.90% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 30.70% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,089, and the median income for a family was $26,718. Males had a median income of $31,702 versus $20,502 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,224. About 26.10% of families and 29.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.00% of those under age 18 and 20.60% of those age 65 or over.

Life expectancy

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Of 3,142 counties in the United States in 2013, Perry County ranked 3,140 (3rd-from-last) in the life expectancy of both male and female residents. Males in Perry County lived an average of 66.5 years and females lived an average of 73.1 years compared to the national average for longevity of 76.5 for males and 81.2 for females. Moreover, the average longevity in Perry County declined by 0.1 years for males and 2.4 years for females between 1985 and 2013 compared to a national average for the same period of an increased life span of 5.5 years for men and 3.1 years for women. The coal-mining industry, high rates of smoking and obesity and a low level of physical activity appear to be contributing factors to the lowered longevity for both sexes.[13]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Perry County, Kentucky[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 7,913 79.19% 1,966 19.68% 113 1.13%
2020 8,129 76.50% 2,356 22.17% 141 1.33%
2016 8,158 77.17% 2,136 20.20% 278 2.63%
2012 8,040 78.51% 2,047 19.99% 154 1.50%
2008 6,762 65.18% 3,444 33.20% 169 1.63%
2004 6,187 53.08% 5,400 46.33% 68 0.58%
2000 5,300 48.18% 5,514 50.13% 186 1.69%
1996 3,382 32.76% 6,015 58.27% 926 8.97%
1992 4,128 34.11% 6,619 54.69% 1,356 11.20%
1988 5,154 47.85% 5,557 51.59% 61 0.57%
1984 5,218 49.52% 5,258 49.90% 61 0.58%
1980 4,226 40.76% 6,031 58.17% 110 1.06%
1976 4,434 43.83% 5,633 55.68% 49 0.48%
1972 5,373 59.37% 3,601 39.79% 76 0.84%
1968 3,993 41.85% 4,562 47.81% 986 10.33%
1964 3,211 32.28% 6,728 67.64% 8 0.08%
1960 5,754 53.65% 4,971 46.35% 0 0.00%
1956 6,591 59.05% 4,545 40.72% 25 0.22%
1952 5,210 48.41% 5,538 51.46% 14 0.13%
1948 3,755 39.37% 5,614 58.87% 168 1.76%
1944 4,333 43.94% 5,527 56.04% 2 0.02%
1940 4,693 40.59% 6,852 59.26% 18 0.16%
1936 4,595 40.45% 6,753 59.45% 11 0.10%
1932 5,240 44.96% 6,393 54.85% 22 0.19%
1928 6,099 61.44% 3,814 38.42% 14 0.14%
1924 4,357 59.09% 2,658 36.05% 359 4.87%
1920 4,345 66.10% 2,203 33.52% 25 0.38%
1916 2,217 69.28% 904 28.25% 79 2.47%
1912 1,023 60.25% 560 32.98% 115 6.77%
1908 1,274 69.88% 524 28.74% 25 1.37%
1904 979 68.94% 431 30.35% 10 0.70%
1900 1,019 68.34% 467 31.32% 5 0.34%
1896 824 68.84% 340 28.40% 33 2.76%
1892 560 61.14% 346 37.77% 10 1.09%
1888 699 70.11% 296 29.69% 2 0.20%
1884 566 70.22% 236 29.28% 4 0.50%
1880 559 63.74% 318 36.26% 0 0.00%

Education

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Public

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The county has two school districts:

Perry County Schools

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This district covers the entire county except for the city of Hazard.

Hazard Independent Schools

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This district essentially encompasses the city of Hazard. See this link for a more accurate map of the Hazard district boundary.

Private

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  • Hazard Christian Academy

Economy

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Coal companies in Perry County

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Media

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Television

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Radio

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Newspapers

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Infrastructure

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Transportation

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Public transportation is provided by LKLP Community Action Partnership with demand-response service and scheduled service in Hazard, and connecting to Hindman, Hyden, and Whitesburg.[19]

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated places

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Ghost Towns

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Notable residents

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Perry County". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. 2000. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
  4. ^ Bergstrom, Bill (December 11, 1984). "Origins of place names are traced". Kentucky New Era. p. 2B. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  5. ^ About Perry County
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  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 19, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 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 19, 2014.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ "Perry County, Kentucky" [1] Archived April 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine accessed October 12, 2016
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  15. ^ Arch Coal - Hazard Complex Archived September 10, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ James River Coal Company – Leeco complex
  17. ^ "James River Coal Company – Blue Diamond complex". Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  18. ^ Perry - TECO Coal Archived January 8, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "LKLP Community Action Council, Inc. > Programs > Public Transportation". Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  20. ^ "Jean Ritchie Pickow". Hall of Distinguished Alumni. UK Alumni Association. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
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37°14′N 83°14′W / 37.24°N 83.23°W / 37.24; -83.23

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