Editing Columbia, Kentucky

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Columbia, Kentucky
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Kentucky|City]]
| image_skyline      = Columbia kentucky night 2008.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Adair County Courthouse
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| image_map          = File:Adair County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Columbia Highlighted 2116750.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Columbia in Adair County, Kentucky.
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Kentucky]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Kentucky|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Adair County, Kentucky|Adair]]
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor-Council]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Pamela Hoots
| leader_title1      = City Attorney
| leader_name1       = Marshall Loy
| leader_title2      = Governing body
| leader_name2       = Columbia Council
| established_date   = 
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 12.72
| area_land_km2      = 12.62
| area_water_km2     = 0.10
| area_total_sq_mi   = 4.91
| area_land_sq_mi    = 4.87
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.04
| elevation_m        = 228
| elevation_ft       = 748
| coordinates        = {{coord|37|6|2|N|85|18|22|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 4845
| population_density_km2 = 383.94
| population_density_sq_mi = 994.46
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 42715, 42728, 42735
| area_code          = [[Area codes 270 and 364|270 & 364]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 21-16750
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0489885
| footnotes          = 
| website            = [http://www.cityofcolumbiaky.com www.cityofcolumbiaky.com]
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| population_est     = 4846
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}</ref>
| population_footnotes = 
}}
'''Columbia''' is a [[list of Kentucky cities|home rule-class city]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.klc.org/UserFiles/files/ClassificationReformFACT(3).pdf |title=Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform |publisher=Kentucky League of Cities |access-date=December 30, 2014}}</ref> just above [[Russell Creek (Kentucky)|Russell Creek]] in [[Adair County, Kentucky]], United States. The population was 4,452 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. Columbia is the [[county seat|seat]] of its county.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 6, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

==History==
{{see also|Columbia (name)}}
The area was settled {{circa|lk=no|1802}} by Daniel Trabue. The post office was opened on April 1, 1806, by John Field, who also ran the local store.

Camp Boyle, located north of the town square, was an important camp and muster site for the Union Army during the Civil War (1861–1865).<ref>Woodcock, Marcus, and Kenneth W. Noe. ''A Southern Boy in Blue: The Memoir of Marcus Woodcock, 9th Kentucky Infantry (U.S.A.)''. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1996.</ref><ref>Kentucky, and Michael L. Cook. ''Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Kentucky, 1861-1866''. Utica, Kentucky: McDowell Publications, 1984.</ref> The [[13th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment (Union)]] was organized in Columbia.<ref>Dyer, Frederick H. ''A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion'' (Des Moines, IA: Dyer Pub. Co.), 1908.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 3.4 square miles (8.9&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all land.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1810 = 175
| 1830 = 423
| 1840 = 486
| 1860 = 381
| 1870 = 506
| 1880 = 549
| 1900 = 654
| 1910 = 1022
| 1920 = 1076
| 1930 = 1195
| 1940 = 1372
| 1950 = 2167
| 1960 = 2255
| 1970 = 3234
| 1980 = 3710
| 1990 = 3845
| 2000 = 4014
| 2010 = 4452
| 2020 = 4845
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 4846
| estref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,014 people, 1,554 households, and 893 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1167.9|/sqmi}}. There were 1,789 housing units at an average density of {{convert|520.5|/sqmi}}. The racial makeup of the city was 88.77% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.68% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.25% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.52% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.20% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.64% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.93% of the population. Some other race alone 1.08%

There were 1,554 households, out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals living alone, and 22.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.0% under the age of 18, 19.1% from 20 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,861, and the median income for a family was $31,344. Males had a median income of $23,906 versus $21,000 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,836. About 19.9% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 39.4% of those under age 18 and 17.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

===Events===
Events held in Columbia, Kentucky:
* Downtown Days, two-day festival on the streets of downtown Columbia. The event includes a parade, a beauty pageant, reenactment of the James/Younger Bank of Columbia robbery, 5-K run, pet show, train rides for the kids, kids carnival, face painting, inflatables, live entertainment, food, fun, clowns, choirs, and more.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.kentuckytourism.com/events/details/columbia-downtown-days/80227/| title=Columbia Downtown Days| publisher=Kentucky Department of Travel| date=October 13, 2017| access-date=October 18, 2017}}</ref>
* To The Nines, a nearly monthly shopping event held in downtown Columbia. All businesses downtown stay open until 9 P.M. and usually offer discounted prices on their merchandise.

==Education==

===Public schools===
Columbia Public Schools are part of the [[Adair County Schools]] School District.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adair.k12.ky.us/index.aspx|title= Adair County Schools|publisher= Adair County Schools|access-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref> Schools in the district include:

* Adair County Elementary School (3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Students from County)
* Adair County Primary School ( Pre-School, Kindergarten, 1st,& 2nd Grade Students from County)
* Adair County Middle School (6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Students)
* [[Adair County High School (Kentucky)|Adair County High School]] (9th-12 Grade Students)

===Colleges and universities===
[[Lindsey Wilson College]], a private four-year college.

===Public library===
Columbia has a lending library, the Adair County Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202017/https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 January 2019 | title=Kentucky Public Library Directory | publisher=Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives | access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>

==Media==
Media in Columbia include:
* The Adair Progress, a local 2x weekly newspaper
* [[WAIN (AM)]], a sports radio station
* [[WAIN-FM]], a country radio station
* Adair County Community Voice, a local once weekly newspaper complete with Public Records information
* Columbia Magazine, an online-only magazine updated daily with local news and history.

==Infrastructure==
The [[Cumberland Expressway]] runs through Columbia as it extends from [[Bowling Green, Kentucky|Bowling Green]] to [[Somerset, Kentucky|Somerset]]. This parkway is a future corridor of [[Interstate 66 (west)|Interstate 66]]. The addition of an interchange with a 2006 reconstruction of Highway 61 South, Columbia now has two exits on the Parkway.

Exit 49, the original exit on the parkway, merges onto Highway 55 South (also known as Jamestown Street) bringing drivers through the middle of Columbia.

Exit 47, the new exit, merges onto Highway 61 South (also known as Burkesville Street/Road) and drivers can choose to go north or go to [[Burkesville, Kentucky|Burkesville]] to the south.

The Highway 55 Bypass was officially opened on October 7, 2008, for more information see below.

===Columbia Bypass===
After years of promises by various governors and other Kentucky officials, construction began early in May 2007, which culminated in an official ground-breaking ceremony by the former Governor himself on May 15, 2007 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbiamagazine.com/photoarchive.php?photo_id=23914|title=That Perfect Day: Gov. Fletcher at Bypass groundbreaking|publisher=ColumbiaMagazine.com}}</ref> near the front of the newly constructed Adair County Elementary School, which faces the direction of the bypass.

The Columbia Bypass was opened to the public on October 7, 2008, featuring a traffic light at the intersection of the bypass and North 55 as well as a traffic light at the intersection of South 61. The bypass has relieved a majority of the downtown traffic.

==Notable people==

* [[Walter Arnold Baker]] – state legislator and [[Kentucky Supreme Court]] justice
* [[Steve Hamilton (sportsman, born 1934)|Steve Hamilton]] – [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher (1935–1997)
* [[Vernie McGaha]] – Kentucky state senator from Adair County since 1997
* Marine Sergeant [[Dakota Meyer]] – In September 2011, he received the [[Medal of Honor]] from President [[Barack Obama]] at age 23; he saved numerous American and Afghan troops during a [[Taliban]] ambush and is the third living recipient of the honor (and first living Marine) from the Iraq and Afghan wars 
* [[Doug Moseley]] – [[United Methodist]] clergyman and a member of the [[Kentucky State Senate]] from 1974 to 1987; former Columbia resident
* [[Frank Wolford|Frank Lane Wolford]] – U.S. Congressman (1883–1887)
* [[James Alexander Williamson]] – American Civil War Brevet Major General and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Lance Burton]] – American stage magician

==In popular culture==
Columbia, Kentucky was depicted in the film ''[[Resurrection Mary]]'' starring [[Wilford Brimley]] in 2002.  The film was directed by another Columbia native, [[Matthew Arnold (director)]] as part of the [[USC School of Cinematic Arts]] graduate thesis program and won awards at the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival. The filming was featured on local news stations and in ''[[USA Today]]''.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.columbiamagazine.com/ Columbia Magazine]
* [http://ukcc.uky.edu/%7Emaps/adair.gif County Map from Kentucky Gazetteer]

{{Adair County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Columbia, Kentucky|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Adair County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:County seats in Kentucky]]
[[Category:1802 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1802]]