Editing Menifee County, Kentucky

{{short description|County in Kentucky, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Menifee County
 | state                = Kentucky
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1869
 | founded date         = 
 | seat wl              = Frenchburg
 | largest city wl      = Frenchburg
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 206
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 204
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.3
 | area percentage      = 1.1
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | footnotes            = 
 | web                  = www.menifeecounty.ky.gov
 | named for            = [[Richard H. Menefee]]
 | ex image             = Menifee County Courhouse, Kentucky.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Menifee County courthouse in Frenchburg
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 6113
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 6341 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | district             = 6th 
}}

'''Menifee County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Kentucky]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 6,113,<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Menifee County, Kentucky|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Menifee_County,_Kentucky?g=0500000US21165|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref> making it the fifth-least populous county in Kentucky. Its [[county seat]] is [[Frenchburg, Kentucky|Frenchburg]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county is named for [[Richard Hickman Menefee]], [[U.S. Congressman]], although the spelling has changed.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ | title=The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1 | publisher=Kentucky State Historical Society | year=1903 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ/page/n36 36]}}</ref> Menifee County is part of the [[Mount Sterling, Kentucky|Mount Sterling]], KY [[Mount Sterling micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Lexington–Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort combined statistical area|Lexington-Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort, KY combined statistical area]]. It is located in the foothills of the [[Cumberland Plateau]].<ref name="enc">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Kentucky|year=1992|title=Menifee County|author=Bryant, Ron D.|editor=Kleber, John|pages=625}}</ref>

==History==

Menifee County was formed on May 29, 1869, from portions of [[Bath County, Kentucky|Bath]], [[Montgomery County, Kentucky|Montgomery]], [[Morgan County, Kentucky|Morgan]], [[Powell County, Kentucky|Powell]], and [[Wolfe County, Kentucky|Wolfe]] counties.<ref name="enc" /><ref>{{cite book|last=Collins|first=Lewis|title=History of Kentucky|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F5FQAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA601|year=1877|page=601|publisher=Library Reprints, Incorporated |isbn=978-0-7222-4920-8 }}</ref>

In the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 Presidential Election]] Menifee County was one of eight in the state of Kentucky where the majority of voters voted for [[Barack Obama]].<ref>[http://www.kentucky.com/210/story/582863.html Officials in 4 Appalachian counties proud their residents supported Obama] Lexington Herald-Leader, November 6, 2008.</ref>

On [[Tornado outbreak of March 2–3, 2012|March 2, 2012]], an EF3 tornado hit Menifee county and several other surrounding counties.<ref>[http://www.lex18.com/news/deadly-tornado-cut-60-mile-path-in-eastern-kentucky/ Deadly Tornado Cut 60-Mile Path In Eastern Kentucky] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313092041/http://www.lex18.com/news/deadly-tornado-cut-60-mile-path-in-eastern-kentucky/ |date=March 13, 2012 }} The Associated Press, March 5, 2012.</ref> Many were injured, and three were killed.<ref>[http://www.wave3.com/story/17082652/storm-victims-identi] WAVE News, March 5, 2012.</ref>

== Geography ==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|206|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|204|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.3|sqmi}} (1.1%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 17, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt|archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref>

Menifee County is mountainous and heavily forested. Much of the land is within [[Daniel Boone National Forest]]. Only about 10% of the county's land is in cultivated farms, and the county ranks 102nd of Kentucky's 120 counties in agricultural revenue.<ref name="enc" />

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Bath County, Kentucky|Bath County]]  (north)
* [[Rowan County, Kentucky|Rowan County]]  (northeast)
* [[Morgan County, Kentucky|Morgan County]]  (east)
* [[Wolfe County, Kentucky|Wolfe County]]  (south)
* [[Powell County, Kentucky|Powell County]]  (southwest)
* [[Montgomery County, Kentucky|Montgomery County]]  (west)

===National protected area===
* [[Daniel Boone National Forest]] (part)

== Arts & culture ==
Menifee County is home to the Menifee Community Theatre Group, a small-town local and regional arts organization that has produced 17 theatrical productions to date. The group has over 40 members and hosts an annual locally-written theatrical and film presentation, taking place at the Menifee Mountain Memories Festival and centering on local and Appalachian stories collected from local citizens.

== Demographics ==

{{US Census population
| 1870 = 1986
| 1880 = 3755
| 1890 = 4666
| 1900 = 6818
| 1910 = 6153
| 1920 = 5779
| 1930 = 4958
| 1940 = 5691
| 1950 = 4798
| 1960 = 4276
| 1970 = 4050
| 1980 = 5117
| 1990 = 5092
| 2000 = 6556
| 2010 = 6306
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2021<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21165.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607103126/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21165.html |archive-date=June 7, 2011 }}</ref>
| 2020 = 6113
| estimate = 6341
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|access-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| estyear = 2024
}}

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 2000, there were 6,556 people, 2,537 households, and 1,900 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|32|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 3,710 housing units at an average density of {{convert|18|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.64% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 1.37% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.12% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.14% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 2,537 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.10% were non-families. 22.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,064, and the median income for a family was $26,325. Males had a median income of $25,670 versus $17,014 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $11,399. About 23.40% of families and 29.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 38.50% of those under age 18 and 23.40% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Menifee County, Kentucky|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=July 4, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|2,563|664|73|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,311|750|41|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,010|700|69|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,484|1,048|66|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|1,155|1,276|58|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|1,215|1,284|29|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,170|1,038|41|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|608|979|194|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|557|1,311|277|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|670|1,096|22|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|785|956|29|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|547|966|30|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|304|1,041|11|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|596|732|30|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|509|554|254|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|318|1,076|7|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|817|989|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|799|1,185|1|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|638|1,219|6|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|435|1,112|34|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|568|976|3|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|511|1,176|5|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|559|1,123|4|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|474|1,425|11|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|732|725|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|450|873|21|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|581|1,149|16|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|369|730|1|Kentucky}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|254|643|133|Kentucky}}

The county has historically been Democratic-dominated, voting for the Democratic nominee in every election from its first election in 1872 through 1996 apart from one lone show of support for [[Herbert Hoover]] in [[1928 United States presidential election in Kentucky|1928]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=County winners, 1836-2016|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZmDRzvm83BYurKX7LsrET-C7tcIsE5Em42Wt-gTydXk/edit?usp=embed_facebook|access-date=May 27, 2021|website=Google Docs|language=en-US}}</ref> In the 21st century, however, it has, like most of Kentucky outside the [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]], [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]], and [[Frankfort, Kentucky|Frankfort]] areas, trended powerfully Republican. It cast its second-ever Republican vote for [[George W. Bush]] in [[2000 United States presidential election in Kentucky|2000]], even as Bush narrowly lost the national popular vote, and although it returned to the Democratic fold in [[2004 United States presidential election in Kentucky|2004]] and [[2008 United States presidential election in Kentucky|2008]], it was at greatly reduced levels compared to what Democrats could typically count on in the 20th century; neither [[John Kerry]] nor [[Barack Obama]] in 2008 managed even to reach the vote share in the county that [[George McGovern]] received in [[1972 United States presidential election in Kentucky|1972]]. The county went red again in [[2012 United States presidential election in Kentucky|2012]], voting for its first-ever losing Republican nominee, and has continued voting Republican by increasing margins. In [[2020 United States presidential election in Kentucky|2020]], it gave [[Donald Trump]] nearly three-quarters of its vote, approaching the 76.8% it gave [[Jimmy Carter|Carter]] in [[1976 United States presidential election in Kentucky|1976]] and [[Lyndon B. Johnson|Lyndon Johnson]] in [[1964 United States presidential election in Kentucky|1964]]. [[Joe Biden]], meanwhile, sank below a quarter of the county's vote, a level even [[Hillary Clinton]] had managed to stay above.

===Elected officials===
{| class=wikitable
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Elected officials as of January 3, 2025'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/smembers_county.html |title=Senate Members - County |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=apps.legislature.ky.gov |publisher=[[Kentucky General Assembly]] |access-date=January 3, 2025 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/hmembers_county.html |title=House Members - County |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=apps.legislature.ky.gov |publisher=[[Kentucky General Assembly]] |access-date=January 3, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>
|- 
! scope=row|[[U.S. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Hal Rogers]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|KY|5|B}}
|- 
! scope=row|[[Kentucky Senate|Ky. Senate]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Greg Elkins]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 28th Senate district|28]]
|- 
! scope=row|[[Kentucky House of Representatives|Ky. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[David Hale (Kentucky politician)|David Hale]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|74
|}

==Communities==

=== City ===

* [[Frenchburg, Kentucky|Frenchburg]] (county seat)

=== Unincorporated communities ===
{{div col}}
* [[Denniston, Kentucky|Denniston]]
* [[Korea, Kentucky|Korea]]
* [[Mariba, Kentucky|Mariba]]
* [[Means, Kentucky|Means]]
* [[Pomeroyton, Kentucky|Pomeroyton]]
* [[Scranton, Kentucky|Scranton]]
* [[Sudith, Kentucky|Sudith]]
* [[Wellington, Menifee County, Kentucky|Wellington]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Menifee County, Kentucky]]
{{Portal|United States}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.menifeecounty.ky.gov/ Menifee County Website]
* [http://www.menifee.k12.ky.us/ Menifee County Schools]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060722002932/http://www.kentuckyhighlands.com/kh/counties/menifee_county.asp The Kentucky Highlands Project]

{{Menifee County, Kentucky}}
{{Eastern Mountain Coal Fields (Kentucky)}}
{{Kentucky}}

{{Coord|37.95|-83.60|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Menifee County, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties]]
[[Category:Mount Sterling, Kentucky micropolitan area]]
[[Category:1869 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1869]]