Floyd County, Kentucky: Difference between revisions

Floyd County
Floyd County
County
	Floyd County Courthouse
	Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
	Kentucky's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 37°34′N 82°45′W / 37.56°N 82.75°W
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
Founded	1800
Named for	John Floyd
Seat	Prestonsburg
Largest city	Prestonsburg
Area
• Total	396 sq mi (1,030 km2)
• Land	393 sq mi (1,020 km2)
• Water	2.4 sq mi (6 km2) 0.6%
Population (2020)
• Total	35,942
• Estimate (2023)	34,423
• Density	91/sq mi (35/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th
Website	www.floydcountykentucky.com

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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

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.

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

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

Johnson County (north)
Martin County (northeast)
Pike County (east)
Knott County (southwest)
Magoffin County (northwest)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1810	3,485		—
1820	8,207		135.5%
1830	4,347		−47.0%
1840	6,302		45.0%
1850	5,714		−9.3%
1860	6,388		11.8%
1870	7,877		23.3%
1880	10,176		29.2%
1890	11,256		10.6%
1900	15,552		38.2%
1910	18,623		19.7%
1920	27,427		47.3%
1930	41,942		52.9%
1940	52,986		26.3%
1950	53,500		1.0%
1960	41,642		−22.2%
1970	35,889		−13.8%
1980	48,764		35.9%
1990	43,586		−10.6%
2000	42,441		−2.6%
2010	39,451		−7.0%
2020	35,942		−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]

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

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

Economy

Coal companies in Floyd County

Blackhawk Mining^[18]
James River Coal Company^[19]
Frasure Creek Mining

Politics

Floyd County was historically a Democratic stronghold, voting Democratic from 1912 to 2004. 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)
Year	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

Cities

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated places

Notable natives

Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr., educator and author, 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year.
Kelly Coleman Wayland, Kentucky. High school, collegiate and professional basketball player.
Bette Henritze, stage, film and TV actress, was born on May 23, 1924, at Betsy Layne.^[24]^[25]
Boyd Holbrook, actor and model, raised in Prestonsburg.
Kenny Rice, Sportscaster. Born in McDowell, raised in Eastern.

References

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

External links

37°34′N 82°45′W / 37.56°N 82.75°W / 37.56; -82.75

[QF-1] "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2022.

[GR6-2] "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.

[kleber-5] Kleber, John E. The Kentucky Encyclodpedia (University Press of Kentucky), p. 330

[6] "Kentucky Coal Facts" (PDF). Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (.gov).

[ABC.3Killed-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.

[ABC.2Killed-8] "3 police officers killed in Kentucky by suspect with rifle". ABC News. July 1, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022 – via Associated Press.

[WSAZ.Dead-9] Bennett, Emily; Colegrove, Andrew (July 1, 2022). "Third officer confirmed dead from Ky. mass shooting". WSAZ-TV. Retrieved July 1, 2022.

[GR1-10] "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.

[USCensusEst2022-11] "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.

[GR2-16] "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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v t e Municipalities and communities of Floyd County, Kentucky, United States
County seat: Prestonsburg
Cities	Allen Martin Prestonsburg Wayland Wheelwright	Location of Floyd County, Kentucky
CDPs	Auxier Betsy Layne Dwale Maytown McDowell
Other unincorporated communities	Alphoretta Banner Beaver Blue Moon Blue River Bonanza Burton Bypro Cliff Dana David Dema‡ Drift Eastern Emma Estill Garrett Glo Grethel Halo Harold Hi Hat Hippo Hueysville Ivel Jacks Creek Jump Station Lackey Langley Ligon Melvin Minnie Orkney Printer Pyramid Risner Stanville Teaberry Tram Warco Watergap Weeksbury Wonder Woods
Footnotes	‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties.
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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