Magoffin County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Magoffin County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
which was formed from parts of Floyd, Johnson, and Morgan Counties and officially created on 22 February 1860. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. Its county seat
is Salyersville
. The county is named for Beriah Magoffin
who was Governor of Kentucky
(1859-62).
of 2000, there were 13,332 people, 5,024 households, and 3,858 families residing in the county. The population density
was 43 /sqmi. There were 5,447 housing units at an average density of 18 /sqmi. 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 Black Dutch
population in Magoffin County, known locally as the "Brown People of 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."
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.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
which was formed from parts of Floyd, Johnson, and Morgan Counties and officially created on 22 February 1860. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Salyersville
Salyersville, Kentucky
Salyersville is a city in and the county seat of Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It is located on the Licking River. The population was 1,604 at the 2000 census.-History:...
. The county is named for Beriah Magoffin
Beriah Magoffin
Beriah Magoffin was the 21st Governor of Kentucky, serving during the early part of the Civil War. Personally, Magoffin adhered to a states' rights position, including the right of a state to secede from the Union, and he sympathized with the Confederate cause...
who was Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
(1859-62).
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 309.44 square miles (801.4 km²), of which 309.44 square miles (801.4 km²) (or 100%) is land and 0.01 square mile (0.0258998811 km²) (or 0.00%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Morgan CountyMorgan County, KentuckyMorgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 13,948. Its county seat is West Liberty. The county is among the dry counties, which means that the sale of alcohol is restricted or prohibited.- Geography :...
(northwest) - Johnson CountyJohnson County, KentuckyJohnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1843. As of 2000, the population was 23,445. Its county seat is Paintsville...
(northeast) - Floyd CountyFloyd County, KentuckyFloyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1800. As of 2000, the population was 42,441. Its county seat is Prestonsburg. The county is named for Colonel John Floyd .-History:...
(southeast) - Knott CountyKnott County, KentuckyKnott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1884. As of 2000, the population was 17,649. Its county seat is Hindman. The county is named for James Proctor Knott, Governor of Kentucky . It is a prohibition or dry county. Notable inhabitants include U.S....
(south) - Breathitt CountyBreathitt County, KentuckyBreathitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1839.The population was 13,878 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Jackson, Kentucky. The county is named for John Breathitt who was Governor of Kentucky from 1832 to 1834...
(southwest) - Wolfe CountyWolfe County, KentuckyWolfe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 7,065. Its county seat is Campton. The county is named for Nathaniel Wolfe.- Geography :...
(west)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 13,332 people, 5,024 households, and 3,858 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 43 /sqmi. There were 5,447 housing units at an average density of 18 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 99.29% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.15% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.27% from two or more races. 0.42% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. There is a significant Melungeon
Melungeon
Melungeon is a term traditionally applied to one of a number of "tri-racial isolate" groups of the Southeastern United States, mainly in the Cumberland Gap area of central Appalachia, which includes portions of East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and East Kentucky. Tri-racial describes populations...
or Black Dutch
Black Dutch
Black Dutch is a term with several different meanings in United States dialect and slang. It generally refers to racial, ethnic, or cultural roots. Its meaning has varied in different parts of the nation and at different times...
population in Magoffin County, known locally as the "Brown People of 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."
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Cities and towns
- ElsieElsie, KentuckyElsie is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 460 northwest of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County...
- FalconFalcon, KentuckyFalcon is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 40 northeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 974 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 41426....
- ForakerForaker, KentuckyForaker is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 30 south of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 892 feet ....
- FredvilleFredville, KentuckyFredville is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 7 southeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 951 feet ....
- GunlockGunlock, KentuckyGunlock is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 7 southeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 1,001 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 41632....
- HendricksHendricks, KentuckyHendricks is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 30 south of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 876 feet ....
- IvytonIvyton, KentuckyIvyton is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 114 southeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 984 feet ....
- RoyaltonRoyalton, KentuckyRoyalton is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 7 southeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 879 feet...
- SalyersvilleSalyersville, KentuckySalyersville is a city in and the county seat of Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It is located on the Licking River. The population was 1,604 at the 2000 census.-History:...
- SublettSublett, KentuckySublett is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 7 southeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 883 feet ....
- SwamptonSwampton, KentuckySwampton is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 7 southeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 919 feet ....
- WheelersburgWheelersburg, KentuckyWheelersburg is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 1081 northeast of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 853 feet ....
- WonnieWonnie, KentuckyWonnie is an unincorporated community in Magoffin County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 460 and Kentucky Route 1081 northwest of the city of Salyersville, the county seat of Magoffin County. Its elevation is 814 feet ....
Notable natives and residents
- Charlie Sizemore, bluegrass musicBluegrass musicBluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
singer/songwriter - Larry FlyntLarry FlyntLarry Claxton Flynt, Jr. is an American publisher and the president of Larry Flynt Publications . In 2003, Arena magazine listed him as the number one on the "50 Powerful People in Porn" list....
, publisher of HustlerHustlerHustler is a monthly pornographic magazine aimed at men and published in the United States. It was first published in 1974 by Larry Flynt. It was a step forward from the Hustler Newsletter which was cheap advertising for his strip club businesses at the time. The magazine grew from a shaky start to...
magazine - Jim Caldwell, WYMT chief meteorologist, grew up in Salyersville.
- Chris Bailey, WSAZ meteorologist
- Rebecca Lynn HowardRebecca Lynn HowardRebecca Lynn Howard is an American country music artist. She has charted seven singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and has released three studio albums...
, country musicCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer - W. H. Stepp, notable old-time fiddler
See also
- Big Sandy Area Development DistrictBig Sandy Area Development DistrictThe Big Sandy Area Development District is a regional planning and development organization that focuses on economic and community development; community services; aging and disability services; and housing services for a five county region in Eastern Kentucky. The five counties served within the...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Magoffin County, Kentucky