Lynch, Kentucky | |
---|---|
![]() Houses at Lynch's western end | |
![]() Location of Lynch in Harlan County, Kentucky. | |
Coordinates: 36°57′54″N82°55′00″W / 36.96500°N 82.91667°W Coordinates: 36°57′54″N82°55′00″W / 36.96500°N 82.91667°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Kentucky |
County | Harlan |
Incorporated | May 7, 1963 |
Named for | Thomas Lynch, the head of U.S. Coal and Coke Company |
Government | |
• Mayor | John Adams |
Area | |
• Total | 0.30 sq mi (0.78 km2) |
• Land | 0.30 sq mi (0.78 km2) |
• Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
Elevation | 1,716 ft (523 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 658 |
• Density | 2,200.67/sq mi (848.65/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 40855 |
Area code | 606 |
FIPS code | 21-48540 |
GNIS feature ID | 0497363 |
Lynch is a home rule-class city in Harlan County, Kentucky, United States. In the 2010 census, the city population was 747, [2] down from 900 in 2000.
Lynch was plotted in 1917 by the U.S. Coal and Coke Company (a subsidiary of U.S. Steel) as a company town to house workers at the company's nearby coal mines. It was named for then-head of the company, Thomas Lynch.
By the 1940s, Lynch had a population of 10,000 and had such amenities as a hospital and movie theater. The population declined dramatically in the 1960s and 1970s as mining techniques shifted to less labor-intensive methods.
In 1996, the rails to Lynch and nearby Benham were officially abandoned.
In 2012, PBS of Eastern Tennessee created a documentary titled The Eastern Kentucky Social Club dealing with the history of the black community and immigrant community in Lynch. [3]
Lynch is located in eastern Harlan County at 36°57′54″N82°55′00″W / 36.965133°N 82.916569°W (36.965133, -82.916569), [4] in the valley of Looney Creek. Lynch is the nearest city to Kentucky's highest point, Black Mountain (4,145 ft or 1,263 m). Sitting at an elevation of 1,716 feet (523 m) above sea level,
Lynch is Kentucky's highest incorporated city. It is bordered by 3,488-foot (1,063 m) Looney Ridge to the north and 3,640-foot (1,110 m) Benham Spur to the south. The city of Benham borders the west side of Lynch, and Cumberland is 4 miles (6 km) to the west via Kentucky Route 160, the main road through Lynch. KY 160 leads southeast up the valley of Looney Creek to the Virginia border on the crest of Black Mountain at an elevation of 3,700 feet (1,100 m), then continues to Appalachia, Virginia, 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Lynch.[ citation needed ]
According to the United States Census Bureau, Lynch has a total area of 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), all of it land.
As of the census [5] of 2000, there were 900 people, 408 households, and 250 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,753.1 inhabitants per square mile (1,063.0/km2). There were 514 housing units at an average density of 1,572.3 per square mile (607.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 73.33% White, 24.89% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.
Historical population | |||
---|---|---|---|
Census | Pop. | %± | |
1970 | 1,517 | — | |
1980 | 1,614 | 6.4% | |
1990 | 1,166 | −27.8% | |
2000 | 900 | −22.8% | |
2010 | 747 | −17.0% | |
2020 | 658 | −11.9% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [6] |
There were 408 households, out of which 24.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,609, and the median income for a family was $21,625. Males had a median income of $31,500 versus $19,038 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,369. About 36.7% of families and 37.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 57.6% of those under age 18 and 25.9% of those age 65 or over.
Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Its county seat is Louisa. The county is named for James Lawrence, and co-founded by Isaac Bolt, who served as a Lawrence County Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. Lawrence County is the home of bluegrass music and country music star Tyler Childers. It is the birthplace of the late Chief Justice of the United States Frederick Moore Vinson and former Kentucky Governor Paul E. Patton. In regard to alcoholic beverage sales, Lawrence County is considered a "moist" county, meaning alcohol sales are only allowed within the city limits of Louisa. There are no alcohol sales within the rest of the county. Only two stores sell liquor, and most convenience stores sell beer and malted beverages.
Barlow is a home rule-class city in Ballard County, Kentucky, in the United States. The city was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1872 as Barlow City and later reincorporated in 1903. The population was 675 as of the 2010 census. It is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Wayland is a home rule-class city in Floyd County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 426 at the 2010 census, up from 298 at the 2000 census.
Wheelwright is a home rule-class city in Floyd County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 780 at the 2010 census, down from 1,042 in 2000.
Wingo is a home rule-class city in Graves County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 632 at the 2010 census.
Benham is a home rule-class city in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the United States. The city was formally incorporated by the General Assembly in 1961. The population was 500 at the 2010 census and estimated in 2018 to be 434.
Cumberland is a home rule-class city in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population according to the 2010 Census was 2,237, down from 2,611 at the 2000 census.
Evarts is a home rule-class city in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the United States. The post office was opened on February 9, 1855, and named for one of the area's pioneer families. The city was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1921. The population was 962 at the 2010 census.
Loyall is a home rule-class city in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 1,461 as of the 2010 census, up from 766 at the time of the 2000 census.
Keeneland is a former city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, that was dissolved on January 1, 2001 and annexed by the neighboring City of Lyndon. Keeneland is now a neighborhood of Lyndon and also a part of Louisville Metro.
Old Brownsboro Place is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, and a part of the united Metro government. The population was 353 at the 2010 census.
Spring Valley is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 654 at the 2010 census.
Ten Broeck is a home rule-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 103 at the 2010 census.
Blaine is a home rule-class city in Lawrence County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 47 at the 2010 census, down from 245 at the 2000 census.
Lewisburg is a home rule-class city in Logan County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 810 at the 2010 census, down from 903 at the 2000 census.
Hardin is a home rule-class city in Marshall County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 615 at the 2010 census.
Inez is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Martin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 546 at the 2020 census.
Dixon is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Webster County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 933 at the 2020 census. Dixon is located at the junction of US 41A and KY 132. It was established with a courthouse and post office in 1860 when the county was formed.
Keokee is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Lee County, Virginia, United States. The population was 416 at the 2010 census.
Fort Gay is a town in Wayne County, West Virginia, United States, situated along the Tug Fork and Big Sandy rivers. The town adjoins Louisa, Kentucky. The population was 677 at the 2020 census.