Vicco, Kentucky

Vicco, Kentucky
City
Vicco
Location in Perry County and Knott County, Kentucky
Coordinates: 37°12′58″N 83°3′40″W
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
Counties	Perry, Knott
Incorporated	June 1, 1964
Government
• Type	City Commission
• Mayor	Johnny Cummings
Area
• Total	0.85 sq mi (2.20 km2)
• Land	0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	942 ft (287 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	334
• Estimate  (2019)	301
• Density	359.19/sq mi (138.62/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	41773
Area code	606
FIPS code	21-79590
GNIS feature ID	0506035

Vicco is a home rule-class city in Perry and Knott counties, Kentucky, United States. The population was 334 at the 2010 census. On January 16, 2013, Vicco became the smallest city in the United States to pass an ordinance outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation.

History

Vicco was originally a coal mining town; its name comes from the initials of the Virginia Iron Coal and Coke Company. The city was known for its bars and entertainment; The New York Times described it as "the local coal miner's Vegas". The decline of the coal industry in the region brought economic trouble to Vicco, as local businesses closed and the city faced severe budget deficits. However, in the early 2010s, the city attempted a revival, restarting its defunct police force among other measures.

Geography

Vicco is located in eastern Perry County at 37°12′58″N 83°3′40″W (37.216186, -83.061089). A small portion of the city extends northeast into neighboring Knott County. The city is in the valley of the Carr Fork, a west-flowing tributary of the North Fork of the Kentucky River.

Kentucky Route 15 passes through the center of Vicco, leading west 11 miles (18 km) to Hazard, the Perry county seat, and east 20 miles (32 km) to Whitesburg.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Vicco has a total area of 0.85 square miles (2.2 km²), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²), or 1.26%, are water.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1970	377		—
1980	456		21.0%
1990	244		−46.5%
2000	318		30.3%
2010	334		5.0%
2019 (est.)	301		−9.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 318 people, 132 households, and 93 families residing in the city. The population density was 411.2 people per square mile (159.5/km²). There were 152 housing units at an average density of 196.6 per square mile (76.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.69% White and 0.31% from two or more races.

There were 132 households, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $13,235, and the median income for a family was $14,688. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,325. About 42.4% of families and 39.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.4% of those under age 18 and 26.9% of those age 65 or over.