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Martin County, Kentucky facts for kids

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Martin County
U.S. county
County government center
County government center
Map of Kentucky highlighting Martin County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
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 
(2023)
 10,928 Decrease
 • Density 48.86/sq mi (18.87/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 5th

Martin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 11,287. Its county seat is Inez. The county was founded in 1870 and is named for Congressman John Preston Martin. Warfield, Kentucky, is the only non-dry city in the county.

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.

Administration

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

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. The county's eastern border is formed by the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
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%
2023 (est.) 10,928 −15.5%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2021

As of the census 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
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

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

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

  • Alliance Resource Partners
  • Excel Coal Corporation
  • Booth Energy
  • CZAR Energy

Education

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

Cities

Unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Martin (Kentucky) para niños

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