Morgan County, Kentucky

County in Kentucky, United States

County in Kentucky

Morgan County

County

Morgan County courthouse in West Liberty

Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky

Kentucky's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 37°55′N 83°16′W﻿ / ﻿37.92°N 83.26°W﻿ / 37.92; -83.26
Country|  United States
State|  Kentucky
Founded| December 7, 1822
Named after| Daniel Morgan
Seat| West Liberty
Largest city| West Liberty
Area

• Total

| 384 sq mi (990 km2)
• Land| 381 sq mi (990 km2)
• Water| 2.7 sq mi (7 km2)  0.7%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 13,726

• Estimate

(2024)

| 14,300
• Density| 36/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 5th
Website| morgancounty.ky.gov

Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,726.[1] Its county seat is West Liberty.[2] The county was voted a wet county in 2024

## History

[edit]

Morgan County was formed on December 7, 1822, from portions of Bath County and Floyd County.[3] It was named for Daniel Morgan, a distinguished general in the American Revolutionary War.[4]

The first white settler in the county was Daniel Williams, a traveling preacher from Virginia who built the first permanent home in the vicinity several miles south of present-day West Liberty. Williams had also previously served in the American Revolution in the Kentucky Militia.

During the Civil War, Morgan County was a majority Pro-Confederate County. 220 Morgan County men served as Union Soldiers, while nearly 400 or more served as Confederate soldiers. Morgan County men formed nearly all of A, B, C and parts of D and E. companies of the 5th KY Infantry. (CSA)

On May 29, 1869, a portion of Morgan County became part of present-day Menifee County.

Morgan County was hit by an EF3 tornado on March 2, 2012, which cost the lives of six people and injured many others. Following the tornado, Morgan County's population decreased, but the county seat still has a strong population for a small town.

Morgan County had begun building a new court house in 2011, but the tornado delayed its construction to late 2013.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 384 square miles (990 km2), of which 300 square miles (780 km2) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.7%) is water.[5]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Rowan County (northwest)
* Elliott County (north)
* Lawrence County (northeast)
* Johnson County (east)
* Magoffin County (southeast)
* Wolfe County (southwest)
* Menifee County (west)

### National protected area

[edit]

* Daniel Boone National Forest (part)

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1830| 2,857| | —
1840| 4,603| | 61.1%
1850| 7,620| | 65.5%
1860| 9,237| | 21.2%
1870| 5,975| | −35.3%
1880| 8,455| | 41.5%
1890| 11,249| | 33.0%
1900| 12,792| | 13.7%
1910| 16,259| | 27.1%
1920| 16,518| | 1.6%
1930| 15,130| | −8.4%
1940| 16,827| | 11.2%
1950| 13,624| | −19.0%
1960| 11,056| | −18.8%
1970| 10,019| | −9.4%
1980| 12,103| | 20.8%
1990| 11,648| | −3.8%
2000| 13,948| | 19.7%
2010| 13,923| | −0.2%
2020| 13,726| | −1.4%
2024 (est.)| 14,300| [6]| 4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,948 people, 4,752 households, and 3,568 families residing in the county. The population density was 37 per square mile (14/km2). There were 5,487 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.59% White, 4.38% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,752 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.40% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 32.90% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 123.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,869, and the median income for a family was $26,135. Males had a median income of $23,966 versus $18,463 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,657. 27.20% of the population and 23.50% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 33.90% are under the age of 18 and 28.50% are 65 or older.

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Morgan County, Kentucky[11] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 4,353  | 80.94% | 939  | 17.46%  | 86  | 1.60%
2020 | 4,301  | 77.58% | 1,175  | 21.19%  | 68  | 1.23%
2016 | 3,628  | 75.98% | 1,006  | 21.07%  | 141  | 2.95%
2012 | 3,021  | 67.55% | 1,369  | 30.61%  | 82  | 1.83%
2008 | 2,396  | 54.72% | 1,879  | 42.91%  | 104  | 2.37%
2004 | 2,682  | 50.87% | 2,532  | 48.03%  | 58  | 1.10%
2000 | 2,295  | 54.13% | 1,875  | 44.22%  | 70  | 1.65%
1996 | 1,439  | 38.94%  | 1,843  | 49.88% | 413  | 11.18%
1992 | 1,239  | 28.09%  | 2,655  | 60.19% | 517  | 11.72%
1988 | 1,452  | 38.04%  | 2,329  | 61.02% | 36  | 0.94%
1984 | 1,834  | 42.36%  | 2,481  | 57.30% | 15  | 0.35%
1980 | 1,450  | 34.53%  | 2,698  | 64.25% | 51  | 1.21%
1976 | 973  | 24.97%  | 2,897  | 74.34% | 27  | 0.69%
1972 | 1,535  | 45.56%  | 1,815  | 53.87% | 19  | 0.56%
1968 | 1,341  | 33.86%  | 2,222  | 56.10% | 398  | 10.05%
1964 | 546  | 14.05%  | 3,293  | 84.72% | 48  | 1.23%
1960 | 1,718  | 37.12%  | 2,910  | 62.88% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 1,878  | 37.20%  | 3,164  | 62.68% | 6  | 0.12%
1952 | 1,311  | 29.29%  | 3,161  | 70.62% | 4  | 0.09%
1948 | 987  | 21.94%  | 3,488  | 77.53% | 24  | 0.53%
1944 | 1,217  | 27.26%  | 3,242  | 72.63% | 5  | 0.11%
1940 | 1,509  | 26.67%  | 4,148  | 73.33% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 1,269  | 28.01%  | 3,256  | 71.86% | 6  | 0.13%
1932 | 1,435  | 25.70%  | 4,137  | 74.09% | 12  | 0.21%
1928 | 2,025  | 44.02%  | 2,575  | 55.98% | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 1,805  | 35.09%  | 3,311  | 64.37% | 28  | 0.54%
1920 | 1,802  | 34.88%  | 3,347  | 64.79% | 17  | 0.33%
1916 | 1,123  | 32.43%  | 2,319  | 66.97% | 21  | 0.61%
1912 | 876  | 29.94%  | 1,800  | 61.52% | 250  | 8.54%

Morgan County a historically Democratic county, with the party's candidate winning it in every presidential election until 2000, when George W. Bush became the first Republican to ever carry the county. In the 21st century, like almost all of Kentucky, the county has flipped to the Republicans in most elections.

### Elected officials

[edit]

Elected officials as of January 3, 2025[12][13]

U.S. House | Hal Rogers (R)  | KY 5
Ky. Senate | Brandon Smith (R)  | 30
Ky. House | Richard White (R)  | 99

## Communities

[edit]

### City

[edit]

* West Liberty (county seat)

### Census-designated place

[edit]

* Ezel

### Other unincorporated places

[edit]

* Caney
* Cannel City
* Cottle
* Crockett
* Dingus
* Elamton
* Elkfork
* Grassy Creek
* Lenox
* Malone
* Maytown
* Mima
* Mize
* Moon
* Ophir
* Relief
* Stacy Fork
* White Oak
* Wrigley
* Yocum
* Zag

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Morgan County, Kentucky

* United States portal

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Morgan 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. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
10. ^ "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 18, 2014.
11. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
12. ^ "Senate Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
13. ^ "House Members - County". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Kentucky General Assembly. Retrieved January 3, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* County Background and History
* Morgan County Schools
* The Kentucky Highlands Project
* Morgan History & Ancestry

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Morgan County, Kentucky, United States

County seat: West Liberty

City|

* West Liberty

Location of Morgan County, Kentucky

CDP|

* Ezel

Other
communities|

* Adele
* Bear Wallow
* Blaze
* Bonny
* Caney
* Cannel City
* Coffee Creek
* Cottle
* Crockett
* Dingus
* Ebon
* Elamton
* Elkfork
* Grassy Creek
* Index
* Jeptha
* Kellacey
* Lenox
* Malone
* Mima
* Mize
* Moon
* Ophir
* Pekin
* Pomp
* Redwine
* Relief
* Right Fork
* Stacy Fork
* Twentysix
* Wheel Rim
* White Oak
* Wrigley
* Zag

* 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

See also|

* Kentucky portal

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* e

Commonwealth of Kentucky

Frankfort (capital)

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Counties|

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37°55′N 83°16′W﻿ / ﻿37.92°N 83.26°W﻿ / 37.92; -83.26

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