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Elkhorn City, Kentucky

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Elkhorn City, Kentucky
Nickname: 
"Gateway to the Breaks"
Location in Pike County and the state of Kentucky.
Location in Pike County and the state of Kentucky.
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
CountyPike
IncorporatedNovember 4, 1912
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorMike Taylor
Area
 • Total2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)
 • Land2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
791 ft (241 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total1,060
 • Density525.5/sq mi (202.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
41522
Area code606
FIPS code21-24382
GNIS feature ID0491688
Websitehttp://www.elkhorncity.org/

Elkhorn City is a 4th-class city in Pike County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 1,060 at the 2000 census. The city is located in proximity to the Breaks Interstate Park.

History

Elkhorn City was first settled by William Ramey of North Carolina c. 1810. However, in 1767-1768, Daniel Boone took his first steps in what is now Kentucky near present-day Elkhorn City on a hunting expedition.[1]

It was originally named Elkhorn, after an elk's horn that was found on the banks of the nearby creek (also named Elkhorn.[2]) Because there was already a town named "Elk Horn" in Taylor County, the town had to be renamed in order to avoid confusion. On October 16, 1882, the post office was renamed Praise for "Camp Praise-the-Lord", a tent colony that was established by evangelist George O. Barnes for a revival there in August 1881. In 1907, the C&O Railroad established a station in Praise that was named Elkhorn City. Although Elkhorn City was incorporated as a city on November 4, 1912, the local post office was not renamed Elkhorn City until September 1, 1952, after local pressure for a uniform name.[3]

The neighboring settlement of Cedarville merged with Elkhorn City in 2009.[4]

Geography

Elkhorn City is located at 37°18′11″N 82°20′52″W / 37.303038°N 82.347884°W / 37.303038; -82.347884(37.3039971, -82.3509795 ).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all land.

Elkhorn City is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. The city has many geographic wonders that make it one of the major tourism destinations in Kentucky. First and foremost of these natural wonders is the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River which flows through the center of the city. It is well known for as a whitewater rafting destination, featuring Class II-VI rapids.[6]

Elkhorn City is also geographically located at the northernmost point of the Pine Mountain along with the northern terminus of Pine Mountain Trail.[7] Once completed, the trail will extend from the Breaks Interstate Park to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park along the ridge of Pine Mountain.[8]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Elkhorn City has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[9]

Climate data for Elkhorn City, Kentucky
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 78
(26)
83
(28)
89
(32)
92
(33)
98
(37)
100
(38)
101
(38)
100
(38)
102
(39)
90
(32)
85
(29)
80
(27)
102
(39)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 42
(6)
47
(8)
56
(13)
66
(19)
73
(23)
80
(27)
83
(28)
82
(28)
77
(25)
67
(19)
57
(14)
45
(7)
65
(18)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 23
(−5)
26
(−3)
32
(0)
40
(4)
49
(9)
59
(15)
63
(17)
62
(17)
55
(13)
43
(6)
33
(1)
26
(−3)
43
(6)
Record low °F (°C) −14
(−26)
−12
(−24)
−3
(−19)
21
(−6)
25
(−4)
40
(4)
40
(4)
45
(7)
34
(1)
19
(−7)
9
(−13)
−11
(−24)
−14
(−26)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.19
(81)
3.20
(81)
3.43
(87)
4.06
(103)
4.89
(124)
4.50
(114)
5.20
(132)
3.86
(98)
3.14
(80)
2.82
(72)
2.91
(74)
3.27
(83)
44.47
(1,129)
Source: The Weather Channel.[10]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1890100
190087−13.0%
1910948.0%
1920821773.4%
193099621.3%
19401,0303.4%
19501,34931.0%
19601,085−19.6%
19701,081−0.4%
19801,44633.8%
1990813−43.8%
20001,06030.4%
2010982−7.4%
2014 (est.)951[11]−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 1,060 people, 437 households, and 295 families residing in the city. The population density was 525.5 people per square mile (202.6/km²). There were 506 housing units at an average density of 250.8 per square mile (96.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.34% White, 0.09% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 437 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the city the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 81.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,963, and the median income for a family was $27,237. Males had a median income of $30,139 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,323. About 18.0% of families and 19.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.9% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

JT Cure Bassist for County Music Artist Chris Stapleton

See also

References

  1. ^ Historical Marker Society of America. "Daniel Boone's First Steps in Kentucky (2203)". Accessed 7 Dec 2010.
  2. ^ Rennick, Robert M. (1987). Kentucky Place Names. University Press of Kentucky. p. 91. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  3. ^ Rennick, Robert M. (1988). "Place Names". Kentucky Place Names. Lexington, Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-0179-4. Retrieved on 2010-04-09
  4. ^ "Geographic Boundary Change Notes". Population Division, United States Census Bureau. January 1, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  6. ^ Fork River Rafting Trips Retrieved on 2010-12-07
  7. ^ Hiking/Mountain Biking in Elkhorn City Retrieved on 2010-12-07
  8. ^ Pine Mountain Trail Conference Retrieved on 2010-12-07
  9. ^ Climate Summary for Elkhorn City, Kentucky
  10. ^ "Monthly Averages for Elkhorn City, KY". The Weather Channel. Retrieved May 23, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  13. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.