Martin County, Kentucky
County in Kentucky, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Martin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,287.[1] Its county seat is Inez.[2] The county was founded in 1870 and is named for Congressman John Preston Martin.[3][4]
Martin County, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
County government center | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky | |
| Coordinates: 37°48′N 82°31′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | September 1, 1870 |
| Named after | John P. Martin |
| Seat | Inez |
| Largest city | Inez |
| Government | |
| • Judge/Executive | Lon Lafferty (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 231 sq mi (600 km2) |
| • Land | 230 sq mi (600 km2) |
| • Water | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 11,287 |
• Estimate (2025) | 10,697  |
| • Density | 49/sq mi (19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | www |
History
Martin County was formed in 1870, and named for congressman John Preston Martin. The county seat was initially located in Warfield, but was moved to Inez due to its more central location in the county.
The county has long been reliant on the coal industry. In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson visited Inez, where he announced the launch of the War on Poverty.[5]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 231 square miles (600 km2), of which 230 square miles (600 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (0.4%) is water.[6] The county's eastern border is formed by the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River.
Adjacent counties
- Lawrence County (northwest)
- Wayne County, West Virginia (northeast)
- Mingo County, West Virginia (southeast)
- Pike County (south)
- Floyd County (southwest)
- Johnson County (west)
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 3,057 | — | |
| 1890 | 4,209 | 37.7% | |
| 1900 | 5,780 | 37.3% | |
| 1910 | 7,291 | 26.1% | |
| 1920 | 7,654 | 5.0% | |
| 1930 | 8,584 | 12.2% | |
| 1940 | 10,970 | 27.8% | |
| 1950 | 11,677 | 6.4% | |
| 1960 | 10,201 | −12.6% | |
| 1970 | 9,377 | −8.1% | |
| 1980 | 13,925 | 48.5% | |
| 1990 | 12,526 | −10.0% | |
| 2000 | 12,578 | 0.4% | |
| 2010 | 12,929 | 2.8% | |
| 2020 | 11,287 | −12.7% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 10,697 | [7] | −5.2% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2021[12] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 11,287. The median age was 40.3 years. 19.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 125.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 128.7 males age 18 and over.[13][14]
The racial makeup of the county was 90.9% White, 7.1% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.0% from some other race, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.6% of the population.[14]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[15]
There were 4,035 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 4,792 housing units, of which 15.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.4% were owner-occupied and 23.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.7%.[13]
2000 census
As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 12,578 people, 4,776 households, and 3,620 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 per square mile (21/km2). There were 5,551 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.25% White, 0.03% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.01% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.62% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,776 households, out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% 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 3.05.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18; 9.50% from 18 to 24; 29.30% from 25 to 44; 23.30% from 45 to 64; and 9.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $18,279, and the median income for a family was $21,574. Males had a median income of $31,994 versus $18,011 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,650. About 33.30% of families and 37.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.10% of those under age 18 and 26.90% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 655 | 54.18% | 256 | 21.17% | 298 | 24.65% |
| 1916 | 1,100 | 78.40% | 280 | 19.96% | 23 | 1.64% |
| 1920 | 1,726 | 83.10% | 330 | 15.89% | 21 | 1.01% |
| 1924 | 1,512 | 72.94% | 364 | 17.56% | 197 | 9.50% |
| 1928 | 1,674 | 80.44% | 404 | 19.41% | 3 | 0.14% |
| 1932 | 1,774 | 69.32% | 770 | 30.09% | 15 | 0.59% |
| 1936 | 2,037 | 71.35% | 817 | 28.62% | 1 | 0.04% |
| 1940 | 2,275 | 73.34% | 826 | 26.63% | 1 | 0.03% |
| 1944 | 2,067 | 78.33% | 571 | 21.64% | 1 | 0.04% |
| 1948 | 1,964 | 67.24% | 911 | 31.19% | 46 | 1.57% |
| 1952 | 2,641 | 69.23% | 1,174 | 30.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 2,927 | 80.57% | 694 | 19.10% | 12 | 0.33% |
| 1960 | 2,809 | 71.57% | 1,116 | 28.43% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,567 | 47.40% | 1,694 | 51.24% | 45 | 1.36% |
| 1968 | 1,943 | 68.42% | 759 | 26.73% | 138 | 4.86% |
| 1972 | 2,495 | 77.87% | 661 | 20.63% | 48 | 1.50% |
| 1976 | 2,120 | 62.12% | 1,267 | 37.12% | 26 | 0.76% |
| 1980 | 2,793 | 63.05% | 1,567 | 35.37% | 70 | 1.58% |
| 1984 | 3,238 | 68.03% | 1,471 | 30.90% | 51 | 1.07% |
| 1988 | 2,587 | 61.65% | 1,581 | 37.68% | 28 | 0.67% |
| 1992 | 1,961 | 47.89% | 1,715 | 41.88% | 419 | 10.23% |
| 1996 | 1,612 | 41.92% | 1,807 | 47.00% | 426 | 11.08% |
| 2000 | 2,667 | 59.85% | 1,714 | 38.46% | 75 | 1.68% |
| 2004 | 2,996 | 66.01% | 1,504 | 33.14% | 39 | 0.86% |
| 2008 | 2,824 | 76.49% | 808 | 21.89% | 60 | 1.63% |
| 2012 | 3,180 | 83.16% | 574 | 15.01% | 70 | 1.83% |
| 2016 | 3,503 | 88.62% | 363 | 9.18% | 87 | 2.20% |
| 2020 | 3,496 | 88.82% | 403 | 10.24% | 37 | 0.94% |
| 2024 | 3,343 | 91.39% | 287 | 7.85% | 28 | 0.77% |
Elected officials
| Elected officials as of January 3, 2025[18][19] | ||
| U.S. House | Hal Rogers (R) | KY 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Ky. Senate | Phillip Wheeler (R) | 31 |
| Ky. House | Bobby McCool (R) | 97 |
Economy
The Federal Bureau of Prisons U.S. Penitentiary, Big Sandy is located in unincorporated Martin County, near Inez.[20]
They are 3 industrial parks located in Martin County. They are the Honey Branch Industrial Park, The Calloway Industrial Park and the John Callahan Industrial Park
- Honey Branch Industrial Park is an industrial park that is run by 4 different counties in the region. The major tenants are the Big Sandy Regional Airport. The Federal Bureau of Prisons U.S. Penitentiary, Big Sandy. Core Energy Corporation, Consolidated Pipe and Supply, Appleatcha Apple Orchard, CZAR Coal and Offices for Booth Energy and subsidies
- Calloway Industrial Park is pretty much abandoned. There was a Dirt Race Track and a Machine Shop. Mostly just houses and 1 water tank
- John B Callahan Industrial Park is home to C&S Vaults and the Martin County Board of Education Transportation Garage and Maintenance Department.
Coal companies in Martin County
- Alliance Resource Partners[21]
- Excel Coal Corporation
- Booth Energy
- CZAR Energy
Education
There is one school district in the county, Martin County School System.[22]
It operates the following public schools.
- Martin County High School
- Martin County Area Technology Center
- Martin County Middle School
- Eden Elementary School
- Inez Elementary School
- Warfield Elementary School
- Martin County Head Start
There is one private Christian school located in Martin County
- Sure Foundations Christian Academy