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Floyd County, Kentucky

Coordinates: 37°34′N 82°45′W / 37.56°N 82.75°W / 37.56; -82.75
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Floyd County
County
Floyd County Courthouse
Floyd County Courthouse
Map of Kentucky highlighting Floyd 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°34′N 82°45′W / 37.56°N 82.75°W / 37.56; -82.75
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1800
Named forJohn Floyd
SeatPrestonsburg
Largest cityPrestonsburg
Area
 • Total
396 sq mi (1,030 km2)
 • Land393 sq mi (1,020 km2)
 • Water2.4 sq mi (6 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
35,942
 • Estimate 
(2023)
34,423 Decrease
 • Density91/sq mi (35/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.floydcountykentucky.com

Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,942.[1] Its county seat is Prestonsburg.[2] The county, founded in 1800, is named for Colonel John Floyd (1750–1783).[3][4]

History

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On December 13, 1799, the Kentucky General Assembly passed legislation to form Floyd County as the 40th county of Kentucky.[5] The county was made from parts of Fleming, Montgomery, and Mason County, Kentucky. The legislation became effective on June 1, 1800.[5] The county was named for James John Floyd, a pioneer surveyor who helped lay out the city of Louisville. The county seat was Preston's Station, later renamed Prestonsburg. The first court house burned down on April 8, 1808, destroying all the early records, so the earliest records of government activity do not date prior to 1808.[5] Prestonsburg was used as a Confederate stronghold during the Civil War and two battles took place nearby, the Battle of Ivy Mountain on November 8, 1861, and the Battle of Middle Creek on January 10, 1862.[5] Both were Union victories.

A coal miner in Wheelwright, Kentucky, 1946

Since the early 1900s, coal mining has had a large presence in Floyd County. In 1900, the first commercial coal mine in eastern Kentucky was opened in the Floyd County community of Betsy Layne. Soon, coal would become the dominant industry in Floyd County. With the arrival of coal, coal towns began popping up all over the county. These coal towns included Wheelwright, Bypro, Emma, Garrett, Wayland, and many more. By 1950, the county had a population of over 50,000 people. With the decline of coal in eastern Kentucky, people began migrating away from the area in large numbers, in what's known as the Hillbilly Highway. As of 2016, the county had 23 coal mines in operation, and produced roughly around 640,000 tons of coal.[6]

On February 28, 1958, the county was the site of one of the deadliest bus accidents in U.S. history, leaving 27 people dead.

On June 30, 2022, a mass shooting targeting police officers occurred in Allen, a city in Floyd County. Three police officers and a police dog were killed, and four other people were injured. The alleged shooter, 49-year-old Lance Storz, was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder of a police officer.[7][8][9]

Geography

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 396 square miles (1,030 km2), of which 393 square miles (1,020 km2) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) (0.6%) is water.[10]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18103,485—
18208,207135.5%
18304,347−47.0%
18406,30245.0%
18505,714−9.3%
18606,38811.8%
18707,87723.3%
188010,17629.2%
189011,25610.6%
190015,55238.2%
191018,62319.7%
192027,42747.3%
193041,94252.9%
194052,98626.3%
195053,5001.0%
196041,642−22.2%
197035,889−13.8%
198048,76435.9%
199043,586−10.6%
200042,441−2.6%
201039,451−7.0%
202035,942−8.9%
2023 (est.)34,423[11]−4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14]
1990-2000[15] 2010-2020[1]
Coal mining has long been a major industry in Floyd County.

As of the census of 2010, there were 39,451 people living in the county. 98.2% were White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% of some other race and 0.6% of two or more races. 0.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 42,441 people, 16,881 households, and 12,272 families living in the county. The population density was 108 per square mile (42/km2). There were 18,551 housing units at an average density of 47 per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.73% White, 1.29% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The Kentucky Melungeons live primarily in Floyd and Magoffin counties. These families once lived in certain pockets or clusters within Floyd County, some continue to do this. However, most of these Melungeon families have now spread out or moved away, and so they cannot be defined by one valley, ridge, hollow, watershed, area, etc. However, some of their known historic residences were: The upper waters of both the Right and Left Forks of Beaver Creek, as well as its smaller streams, branches, and forks; extending into Knott County as well.

There were 16,881 households, out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.50% were married couples living together, 12.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.60% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,168, and the median income for a family was $25,717. Males had a median income of $30,242 versus $20,569 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,442. About 26.90% of families and 30.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.80% of those under age 18 and 20.50% of those age 65 or over.

Education

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The county's public schools are operated by the Floyd County School District.[17]

Economy

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Coal companies in Floyd County

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Politics

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Floyd County was historically a Democratic stronghold. The county voted for Democrats in 1972 and 1984, despite Republicans winning in 49-state landslides. The county gave Bill Clinton over 65% in both 1992 and 1996 while George W. Bush never received more than 37% of the county's vote.[20] Like the rest of the state outside of Jefferson County (Louisville) and Fayette County (Lexington), the county eventually shifted to the Republican Party, but became one of the last counties in Kentucky to make that transition.[21]

In 2008, its votes went to the Republican Party's presidential candidate for the first time in the county's history, and in 2016 Donald Trump won 72.5% of its vote. The county has trended strongly Republican since 2004, shifting from a 25% margin for the Democrat that year, to a 59.2% margin for the Republican in 2024.[22]

United States presidential election results for Floyd County, Kentucky[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 12,326 78.76% 3,061 19.56% 263 1.68%
2020 12,250 74.91% 3,884 23.75% 219 1.34%
2016 11,993 72.51% 4,015 24.27% 532 3.22%
2012 9,784 65.71% 4,733 31.79% 373 2.51%
2008 7,741 49.43% 7,530 48.09% 388 2.48%
2004 6,612 36.97% 11,132 62.24% 141 0.79%
2000 5,068 32.92% 10,088 65.53% 238 1.55%
1996 3,139 21.82% 9,655 67.12% 1,590 11.05%
1992 3,540 18.96% 13,351 71.50% 1,783 9.55%
1988 5,296 29.81% 12,327 69.39% 141 0.79%
1984 5,218 33.57% 10,259 66.00% 66 0.42%
1980 4,179 27.16% 10,975 71.34% 231 1.50%
1976 3,108 23.31% 10,151 76.13% 74 0.56%
1972 6,099 44.20% 7,544 54.67% 157 1.14%
1968 3,550 27.22% 8,333 63.89% 1,160 8.89%
1964 2,352 16.75% 11,644 82.93% 45 0.32%
1960 5,010 33.66% 9,876 66.34% 0 0.00%
1956 6,166 43.77% 7,907 56.13% 15 0.11%
1952 4,238 32.13% 8,940 67.78% 11 0.08%
1948 3,127 25.88% 8,823 73.03% 132 1.09%
1944 3,197 29.26% 7,729 70.74% 0 0.00%
1940 3,711 28.97% 9,100 71.03% 0 0.00%
1936 3,375 29.77% 7,962 70.23% 0 0.00%
1932 3,415 28.49% 8,537 71.22% 34 0.28%
1928 5,109 47.17% 5,721 52.83% 0 0.00%
1924 3,773 44.02% 4,220 49.23% 579 6.75%
1920 2,825 43.68% 3,597 55.61% 46 0.71%
1916 1,823 44.84% 2,217 54.53% 26 0.64%
1912 961 31.74% 1,553 51.29% 514 16.97%

Floyd County is part of Kentucky's 5th congressional district, which has been represented by Republican Hal Rogers since 1981.

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated places

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See also

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Notable natives

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References

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  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 127.
  4. ^ "Floyd County". Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  5. ^ a b c d Kleber, John E. The Kentucky Encyclodpedia (University Press of Kentucky), p. 330
  6. ^ "Kentucky Coal Facts" (PDF). Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (.gov).
  7. ^ Shapiro, Emily (July 1, 2022). "3 Kentucky officers killed, several hurt by gunman who opened fire at his home". ABC News. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "3 police officers killed in Kentucky by suspect with rifle". ABC News. July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022 – via Associated Press.
  9. ^ Bennett, Emily; Colegrove, Andrew (July 1, 2022). "Third officer confirmed dead from Ky. mass shooting". WSAZ-TV. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  11. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  13. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  14. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  15. ^ "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 14, 2014.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ Floyd County School District
  18. ^ Blackhawk Mining - Operations Archived August 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "James River Coal Company – McCoy Elkhorn complex". Archived from the original on January 16, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  20. ^ The New York Times Electoral Map (Zoom in on Kentucky)
  21. ^ Lists, Geography. "Bonus List- Geography Lists". Geography Lists. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  22. ^ File:PresidentialCounty1860Colorbrewer.gif
  23. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  24. ^ Bette Henritze at IMDb
  25. ^ Floyd County record of the birth of Bette J. Henritze
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37°34′N 82°45′W / 37.56°N 82.75°W / 37.56; -82.75

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