Martin County, Kentucky

County in Kentucky, United States

Not to be confused with Martin, Kentucky.

County in Kentucky

Martin County

County

County government center

Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky

Kentucky's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 37°48′N 82°31′W﻿ / ﻿37.8°N 82.52°W﻿ / 37.8; -82.52
Country|  United States
State|  Kentucky
Founded| September 1, 1870
Named for| John P. Martin
Seat| Inez
Largest city| Inez
Area

• Total| 231 sq mi (600 km2)
• Land| 230 sq mi (600 km2)
• Water| 1.0 sq mi (3 km2)  0.4%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 11,287
• Estimate

(2022)

| 11,095
• Density| 49/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 5th
Website| www.martincountykentucky.com

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] Warfield, Kentucky, is the only non-dry city in the county.[5]

## History[edit]

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.

## Administration[edit]

The current officials of Martin County

* County Judge/Executive: Lon Lafferty MD
* Magistrate District 1 : Cody Slone
* Constable District 1 :  Homer "Pickle" Mills
* Magistrate District 2 : Kermit Howell
* Constable District 2 :  Randy Lafferty
* Magistrate District 3 : Tracy Spence
* Constable District 3 :  Alex Fannin
* Magistrate District 4 : Junior Hunt
* Constable District 4 :  Bradford Preece
* Magistrate District 5 : Ronald Workman
* Constable District 5 :  Mitchell Bowen
* County Attorney: Melissa Fannin Phelps
* County Coroner: Chris Todd
* County Jailer: Bill Preece
* County Sheriff: John Kirk
* Property Valuation Administrator: Bobby Hale
* County Clerk: Susie Skyles
* Circuit Court Clerk: Denise Gauze

## Geography[edit]

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[edit]

* Lawrence County (northwest)
* Wayne County, West Virginia (northeast)
* Mingo County, West Virginia (southeast)
* Pike County (south)
* Floyd County (southwest)
* Johnson County (west)

## Demographics[edit]

Historical population 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%
2022 (est.)| 11,095| [7]| −1.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2021[12]

As of the census[13] 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.

United States presidential election results for Martin County, Kentucky[14] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 3,496  | 88.82% | 403  | 10.24%  | 37  | 0.94%
2016 | 3,503  | 88.62% | 363  | 9.18%  | 87  | 2.20%
2012 | 3,180  | 83.16% | 574  | 15.01%  | 70  | 1.83%
2008 | 2,824  | 76.49% | 808  | 21.89%  | 60  | 1.63%
2004 | 2,996  | 66.01% | 1,504  | 33.14%  | 39  | 0.86%
2000 | 2,667  | 59.85% | 1,714  | 38.46%  | 75  | 1.68%
1996 | 1,612  | 41.92%  | 1,807  | 47.00% | 426  | 11.08%
1992 | 1,961  | 47.89% | 1,715  | 41.88%  | 419  | 10.23%
1988 | 2,587  | 61.65% | 1,581  | 37.68%  | 28  | 0.67%
1984 | 3,238  | 68.03% | 1,471  | 30.90%  | 51  | 1.07%
1980 | 2,793  | 63.05% | 1,567  | 35.37%  | 70  | 1.58%
1976 | 2,120  | 62.12% | 1,267  | 37.12%  | 26  | 0.76%
1972 | 2,495  | 77.87% | 661  | 20.63%  | 48  | 1.50%
1968 | 1,943  | 68.42% | 759  | 26.73%  | 138  | 4.86%
1964 | 1,567  | 47.40%  | 1,694  | 51.24% | 45  | 1.36%
1960 | 2,809  | 71.57% | 1,116  | 28.43%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 2,927  | 80.57% | 694  | 19.10%  | 12  | 0.33%
1952 | 2,641  | 69.23% | 1,174  | 30.77%  | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 1,964  | 67.24% | 911  | 31.19%  | 46  | 1.57%
1944 | 2,067  | 78.33% | 571  | 21.64%  | 1  | 0.04%
1940 | 2,275  | 73.34% | 826  | 26.63%  | 1  | 0.03%
1936 | 2,037  | 71.35% | 817  | 28.62%  | 1  | 0.04%
1932 | 1,774  | 69.32% | 770  | 30.09%  | 15  | 0.59%
1928 | 1,674  | 80.44% | 404  | 19.41%  | 3  | 0.14%
1924 | 1,512  | 72.94% | 364  | 17.56%  | 197  | 9.50%
1920 | 1,726  | 83.10% | 330  | 15.89%  | 21  | 1.01%
1916 | 1,100  | 78.40% | 280  | 19.96%  | 23  | 1.64%
1912 | 655  | 54.18% | 256  | 21.17%  | 298  | 24.65%

## Economy[edit]

The Federal Bureau of Prisons U.S. Penitentiary, Big Sandy is located in unincorporated Martin County, near Inez.[15]

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, Boxvayna, 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[edit]

* Alliance Resource Partners[16]
* Excel Coal Corporation
* Booth Energy
* CZAR Energy

## Education[edit]

The Martin County School System operates 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

There is one Private Vocational School located in Martin County

* TEK Center

## Communities[edit]

* Beauty
* Inez (county seat)
* Job
* Lovely
* Laura
* Pilgrim
* Tomahawk
* Warfield

## See also[edit]

* United States portal

* Big Sandy Regional Airport
* Big Sandy Area Development District
* Dry counties
* Martin County Sludge Spill
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Martin County, Kentucky
* United States Penitentiary, Big Sandy

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Martin County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Martin County". The Kentucky Encyclopedia. 2000. Retrieved August 23, 2014.
4. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 36.
5. ^ Jarvie, Jenny (February 12, 2019). "The water runs milky and can feel like fire. In this impoverished county, Trump's $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan may not help". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
11. ^ "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 17, 2014.
12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
15. ^ "Institution Supplement." United States Penitentiary, Big Sandy. 2 (2/18). Retrieved on February 21, 2011. "USP Big Sandy is located at 1197 Airport Rd, Inez, Kentucky." and "Directions from Interstate 64: From the following areas: Ashland, KY, Huntington, WV, and the Ohio area, travel Interstate 64 to Kentucky Exit 191 to Route 23 South. Follow 23 South for approximately 38 miles until you reach Route 645. Turn left onto Route 645 South and travel approximately 11 miles until you reach Route 3. Turn right onto Route 3 and travel for approximately 10 miles until you reach Airport Road. Turn left onto Airport Road and follow signs to the institution."
16. ^ Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. » Central Appalachia Archived 2013-07-03 at the Wayback Machine

### Further reading[edit]

* Cheves, John (November 16, 2013). "'A lot of people here have just given up'". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington: The McClatchy Company. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
* Egerton, John (October 18, 1981). "Boom or Bust in the Hollows of Appalachia". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved November 21, 2013.

## External links[edit]

* The Kentucky Highlands Project
* Martin County Slurry Spill Archived 2013-12-18 at the Wayback Machine
* Sandy Valley Transportation Services, Inc.

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Martin County, Kentucky, United States

County seat: Inez

Cities|

* Inez
* Warfield

Location of Martin County, Kentucky

Unincorporated
communities|

* Beauty
* Davella
* Debord
* Hode
* Job
* Laura
* Lovely
* Pilgrim
* Tomahawk

* Kentucky portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Eastern Kentucky Coal Field region

Counties|

* Bell
* Boyd
* Breathitt
* Carter
* Clay
* Elliott
* Floyd
* Greenup
* Harlan
* Jackson
* Johnson
* Knott
* Knox
* Laurel
* Lawrence
* Lee
* Leslie
* Letcher
* Magoffin
* Martin
* McCreary
* Menifee
* Montgomery
* Morgan
* Owsley
* Perry
* Pike
* Powell
* Rowan
* Whitley
* Wolfe

Cities and towns
Over 10k|

* Ashland

Cities and towns
5k-10k|

* Corbin
* Flatwoods
* Hazard
* London
* Middlesboro
* Morehead
* Mount Sterling
* Pikeville
* Williamsburg

Cities and towns
1k-5k|

* Barbourville
* Beattyville
* Catlettsburg
* Clay City
* Coal Run Village
* Cumberland
* Grayson
* Greenup
* Harlan
* Jackson
* Jeffersonville
* Jenkins
* Louisa
* Manchester
* Olive Hill
* Paintsville
* Pineville
* Prestonsburg
* Raceland
* Russell
* Salyersville
* South Shore
* Stanton
* West Liberty
* Whitesburg
* Worthington
* Wurtland

Cities and towns
under 1k|

* Allen
* Annville
* Bellefonte
* Benham
* Blackey
* Blaine
* Booneville
* Buckhorn
* Camargo
* Campton
* Elkhorn City
* Evarts
* Fleming-Neon
* Frenchburg
* Hindman
* Hyden
* Inez
* Lakeview Heights
* Loyall
* Lynch
* Martin
* McKee
* Oneida
* Pippa Passes
* Sandy Hook
* Vicco
* Wallins Creek
* Warfield
* Wayland
* Wheelwright

Statistical areas|

* Ashland
* London
* Middlesboro
* Mount Sterling

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* e

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Frankfort (capital)

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37°48′N 82°31′W﻿ / ﻿37.80°N 82.52°W﻿ / 37.80; -82.52
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