Cumberland County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Cumberland County is a county located in the state
of Kentucky
in the United States
. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,147. Its county seat
is Burkesville, Kentucky
. The county is named for the Cumberland River
; it is a prohibition or dry county
.
and a small branch of Dale Hollow Lake
which covers the southern end of the county.
The first American oil well was struck 3 miles north of Burkesville in 1829 on highway 61, but it is generally not recognized as such because the drillers were not searching for oil.
Cumberland County was the birthplace of Joel Cheek who later made Maxwell House
coffee.
It was the first county in the United States to elect a female sheriff
, Pearl Carter Pace
.
Burkesville is the first city downstream from Wolf Creek Dam. There has been much recent concern about the dams stability.
The Cumberland County Public Library is located at 114 Hill St in Burkesville. Its holdings include many local family histories, photos and other artifacts.
of 2000, there were 7,147 people, 2,976 households, and 2,038 families residing in the county. The population density
was 23 /sqmi. There were 3,567 housing units at an average density of 12 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.28% White
, 3.41% Black
or African American
, 0.14% Native American
, 0.04% Asian
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
, 0.15% from other races
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 2,976 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples
living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,572, and the median income for a family was $28,701. Males had a median income of $21,313 versus $16,548 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $12,643. About 16.40% of families and 23.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.30% of those under age 18 and 33.00% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,147. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Burkesville, Kentucky
Burkesville, Kentucky
Burkesville is a city in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Appalachia and bordered by the Cumberland River to the south and east, it is the county seat of Cumberland County...
. The county is named for the Cumberland River
Cumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
; it is a prohibition or dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 310.85 square miles (805.1 km²), of which 305.82 square miles (792.1 km²) (or 98.38%) is land and 5.02 square miles (13 km²) (or 1.61%) is water. Major waterways include the Cumberland RiverCumberland River
The Cumberland River is a waterway in the Southern United States. It is long. It starts in Harlan County in far southeastern Kentucky between Pine and Cumberland mountains, flows through southern Kentucky, crosses into northern Tennessee, and then curves back up into western Kentucky before...
and a small branch of Dale Hollow Lake
Dale Hollow Reservoir
The Dale Hollow Reservoir is a reservoir situated on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The lake is formed by the damming of the Obey River, 7.3 miles above its juncture with the Cumberland River at river mile 380. Portions of the lake also cover the Wolf River...
which covers the southern end of the county.
Adjacent counties
- Adair CountyAdair County, KentuckyAdair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population is 18,656. Its county seat is Columbia, Kentucky. The county is named for John Adair, then Speaker of the House in Kentucky and later Governor of Kentucky ....
(north) - Russell CountyRussell County, KentuckyRussell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 17,565 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Jamestown. The county is named for William Russell...
(northeast) - Clinton CountyClinton County, KentuckyClinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1836. As of 2000, the population was 9,634. Its name is in honor of the seventh Governor of New York State, DeWitt Clinton. Its county seat is Albany, Kentucky, and it is a prohibition or dry county...
(east) - Clay County, Tennessee (south)
- Monroe CountyMonroe County, KentuckyMonroe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 11,756. Its county seat is Tompkinsville. The county is named for President James Monroe. It is a prohibition or dry county.-History:...
(west) - Metcalfe CountyMetcalfe County, KentuckyMetcalfe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 10,037. Its county seat is Edmonton. The county is named for Thomas Metcalfe, Governor of Kentucky from 1828-32...
(northwest)
History
Thomas Lincoln 1780-1844, the first Constable of Cumberland County, KY, was the son of Hannaniah Lincoln 1756-1816. His bond for constable was signed by his father-in-law, Jesse Gee. Thomas Lincoln moved to Preble County, Ohio and later to Montgomery County, Indiana. This Thomas Lincoln was a half second cousin to Thomas Lincoln, father of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.The first American oil well was struck 3 miles north of Burkesville in 1829 on highway 61, but it is generally not recognized as such because the drillers were not searching for oil.
Cumberland County was the birthplace of Joel Cheek who later made Maxwell House
Maxwell House
Maxwell House is a brand of coffee manufactured by a like-named division of Kraft Foods. Introduced in 1892, it is named in honor of the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. For many years until the late 1980s it was the largest-selling coffee in the U.S. and is currently second behind...
coffee.
It was the first county in the United States to elect a female sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, Pearl Carter Pace
Pearl Carter Pace
Pearl Carter Pace was the first woman elected sheriff in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Pearl Carter had been born into a Tompkinsville, Kentucky, family devoted to public service...
.
Burkesville is the first city downstream from Wolf Creek Dam. There has been much recent concern about the dams stability.
The Cumberland County Public Library is located at 114 Hill St in Burkesville. Its holdings include many local family histories, photos and other artifacts.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,147 people, 2,976 households, and 2,038 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 23 /sqmi. There were 3,567 housing units at an average density of 12 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.28% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.41% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.14% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.04% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.15% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.91% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 2,976 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.50% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.60% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 17.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $21,572, and the median income for a family was $28,701. Males had a median income of $21,313 versus $16,548 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $12,643. About 16.40% of families and 23.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.30% of those under age 18 and 33.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- AmandavilleAmandaville, KentuckyAmandaville is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 704 north-northeast of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 600 feet ....
- BakertonBakerton, KentuckyBakerton is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies near Route 704 northeast of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 600 feet ....
- BowBow, KentuckyBow is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 90 southeast of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 607 feet ....
- BurkesvilleBurkesville, KentuckyBurkesville is a city in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Appalachia and bordered by the Cumberland River to the south and east, it is the county seat of Cumberland County...
- DubreDubre, KentuckyDubre is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 90 west of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 640 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 42731. The...
- GriderGrider, KentuckyGrider is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 90 west of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 617 feet ....
- JudioJudio, KentuckyJudio is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 953 southwest of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 545 feet ....
- KettleKettle, KentuckyKettle is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 61 south of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 984 feet ....
- MarrowboneMarrowbone, KentuckyMarrowbone is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 90 west of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 643 feet , and it is located at about...
- PeytonsburgPeytonsburg, KentuckyPeytonsburg is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 61 south of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County, and almost on the Tennessee border. Its elevation is 1,001 feet ....
- WaterviewWaterview, KentuckyWaterview is an unincorporated community in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 90 west of the city of Burkesville, the county seat of Cumberland County. Its elevation is 571 feet ....
See also
- Dry countyDry countyA dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Cumberland County, Kentucky