Editing Middlesboro, Kentucky

{{hatnote|Not to be confused with [[Middletown, Kentucky]], near [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]].}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Middlesboro, Kentucky
| official_name      = City of Middlesboro
| settlement_type    = [[list of Ky cities|City]]
| nickname           = The Magic City (official)<br />Queen City of the Cumberlands,<br />The Boro, M'boro, Crater City
| motto              = ''Fac et Spera''<br />([[Latin]]: "Do and Hope")
| named_for          = [[Middlesbrough]], [[England]]

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Middlesboro, Kentucky; viewed from the Pinnacle Overlook in April, 2013..jpg<!--sic-->
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = View of Middlesboro from the Pinnacle Overlook.
| image_flag         = Flag of Middlesboro, Kentucky.png
| image_seal         = Seal of Middlesboro, Kentucky.png
| image_shield       = Coat of Arms of Middlesboro, Kentucky.png
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = File:Bell County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Middlesborough Highlighted 2151924.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Middlesborough in Bell County, Kentucky.
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
<!-- Location -->
| 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  = [[Bell County, Kentucky|Bell]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor-Council]]
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Boone Bowling (politician)|Boone Bowling]]
| leader_title1      = City Clerk
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = March 14, 1890<ref name=sos>Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State: Land Office. "[http://apps.sos.ky.gov/land/cities/citydetail.asp?id=263&city=Middlesboro&idctr=263 Middlesboro, Kentucky]". Accessed 26 August 2013.</ref>

<!-- Area -->
| 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>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 19.33
<!--19756236 m2-->| area_land_km2      = 19.12
<!--19529841 m2-->| area_water_km2     = 0.20
<!--226395 m2-->| area_total_sq_mi   = 7.46
<!--7.6279254 mi2-->| area_land_sq_mi    = 7.38
<!--7.5405138 mi2-->| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.08
<!--0.087411598 mi2-->

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 9405
| population_density_km2 = 491.78
| population_density_sq_mi = 1273.70

<!-- General information -->
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 348
| elevation_ft       = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|36|36|37|N|83|43|24|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 40965
| area_code          = [[Area code 606|606]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 21-51924
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 498153<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|498153}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.middlesborokentucky.net}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="auto">{{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     = 9131
}}

'''Middlesboro''' ({{IPAc-en|local|ˈ|m|ɪ|d|əl|z|b|ʌr|ə}})<ref name=ren>Rennick, Robert. ''Kentucky Place Names'', University Press of Kentucky (Lexington), 1987, [https://books.google.com/books?id=3Lac2FUSj_oC&pg=PA196 p. 196]. Accessed 26 August 2013.</ref> 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> in [[Bell County, Kentucky]], United States. The population was 10,334 at the [[2010 U.S. census]],<ref name="2010 Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-05-14|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> while its [[Middlesborough, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area|micropolitan area]] had a population of 69,060.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2009/CBSA-EST2009-01.csv | title = Table 1. Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2009 (CBSA-EST2009-01) | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2009 Population Estimates | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | date = 2010-03-23 | access-date = 2010-06-06 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100615175258/http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2009/CBSA-EST2009-01.csv | archive-date = June 15, 2010 }}</ref>

It is located {{convert|1|mile}} west of the [[Cumberland Gap]]<ref name=ren/> and is the largest city in southeastern Kentucky.<ref name=kye>{{cite book |editor=Kleber, John E. |others=Associate editors: [[Thomas D. Clark]], Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter |title=''The Kentucky Encyclopedia'' |year=1992 |publisher=The University Press of Kentucky |location=[[Lexington, Kentucky]] |isbn=0-8131-1772-0 }} Retrieved on 2010-06-29</ref> It is located entirely between [[Pine Mountain (ridge)|Pine Mountain]] and the [[Cumberland Mountains]] in the Middlesboro Basin, [[Middlesboro crater|an enormous meteorite crater]] (one of three known [[astrobleme]]s in the state).

==Name==
Originally founded by English businessmen, the town opened its first post office on September 14, 1888, under the name '''Middlesborough''', presumably in honor of the [[Middlesbrough|English town of – at the time – the same name]].<ref name=ren/> The city was formally incorporated under that spelling on March 14 two years later,<ref name=sos/><ref name=ren/> but the post office switched to "Middlesboro" in 1894<ref>University of Kentucky. ''Kentucky Atlas'': "[http://www.uky.edu/KentuckyAtlas/ky-middlesborough.html Middlesborough]". Accessed 11 March 2010.</ref> and that spelling has since been adopted by the city itself,<ref name=midbo>City of Middlesboro. "[http://www.middlesborokentucky.net/ Middlesboro Kentucky]".<!--sic--> Accessed 26 August 2013.</ref> the city's school district,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mboro.kyschools.us |title=Middlesboro Independent Schools: Home |access-date=April 25, 2019}}</ref> the Kentucky Land Office,<ref name=sos/> and the [[U.S. Board on Geographic Names]].<ref name=ren/>

==History==
===Early history===
The area was originally inhabited by [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indians]] such as the [[Shawnee]]. The first European known to have visited the area was [[Gabriel Arthur]] in 1674. He was later followed by [[Thomas Walker (explorer)|Thomas Walker]] in 1750 and [[Daniel Boone]] in 1769.<ref name="history"/>

===Pittsburgh of the South===
{{anchor|19th century}}
John Turner of Virginia established the settlement of '''Yellow Creek''' nearby in 1810, but the town did not begin to develop until the [[Scottish people|Scottish]]-born and [[Canadians|Canadian]]-raised engineer and entrepreneur [[Alexander Alan Arthur|Alexander Arthur]] took an interest in the Yellow Creek Valley. Having settled in [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]], [[Tennessee]], he arranged development projects in the area as part of the post-[[American Civil War|war]] [[New South]]. Taking an interest in the iron deposits around the [[Cumberland Gap]] around 1886, Arthur was able to convince some of the wealthy scions of [[Gilded Age|Gilded-Age]] [[Asheville]], [[North Carolina]], to talk to their families about funding a "[[Pittsburgh]] of the South", but sufficient financing was not forthcoming. He then traveled to [[England]], where he was able to find interested backers for his "Magic City" of 250,000 residents enjoying running water, electricity, a large sporting commons, and electric trams in the middle of [[Appalachia]].<ref name="history">WKYT. "[http://www.wkyt.com/bell/misc/83275492.html History of Middlesboro, Kentucky] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218123920/http://www.wkyt.com/bell/misc/83275492.html |date=2010-02-18 }}". Accessed 11 March 2010.</ref> Simultaneously, he funded and began construction on the [[Powell's Valley Railroad]], with the aim of connecting the Cumberland Gap region to Knoxville.<ref name=choochoo>Herr, Kincaid. ''The Louisville & Nashville Railroad, 1850–1963'', pp. 97 ff. University Press of Kentucky (Lexington), 2000. {{ISBN|0813129567}}</ref>

[[File:American Association, Limited, Office Building.jpg|thumb|The Alexander Arthur Museum]]

By 1888, the new town was platted and named "Middlesborough", presumably after the [[Middlesbrough|English town]], either after a local contest selected it as the best entry or after the hometown of the brothers who owned the local English Hotel.{{refn|Rennick details the importance of the hotel but mistakenly ascribes it to a "Mr. Watts"<ref name=ren/> when in fact it was owned by two brothers {{ndash}} Frank and Edgar Watts {{ndash}} involved with [[Alexander Arthur]]'s development plans.<ref>McNeil, J.R. ''The Ralston Family: Through Eight Generations, with Ratcliffe, Johnson, and Allied Families'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=8k1MAAAAMAAJ&q=%22edgar+watts%22 p. 119]. McNeil, 2000.</ref>}} The Middlesboro Country Club was founded as part of Arthur's original development. Its nine-hole course is one of the oldest in the United States and it claims to be the oldest continuously played course in the country.<ref name=midbos>City of Middlesboro. "[https://archive.today/20130826025750/http://www.middlesborokentucky.net/AboutUs.aspx About Us]". Accessed 26 August 2013.</ref> Pianist [[Ben Harney]] is also claimed to have originated [[ragtime]] music in Middlesboro, where he played in local saloons in the early 1890s.<ref name=midbos/> Boosters from Middlesborough petitioned to host the 1892 World's Fair.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2024 |title=Cumberland Gap was passed over for the 1892 World's Fair |url=https://worldsfairchicago1893.com/2024/03/10/cumberland-gap-was-passed-over-for-the-1892-worlds-fair/ }}</ref> Just south of the Cumberland Gap in the area of the present-day [[Lincoln Memorial University]], a $1-million Four Seasons Hotel was built in 1892 with 500 rooms, a 200-room spa, and a [[Sanatorium|sanitarium]].<ref name="history"/>

Arthur's project failed by 1893. The [[Cumberland Gap]] had turned out to be too steep for locomotives and, in order to connect Middlesboro to the Tennessee line, an expensive tunnel needed to be constructed from 1888 to 1889,{{refn|The tunnel actually ran directly beneath the corner between Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, although the Virginia section was entirely underground.<ref>Baughn, James. ''Bridgehunter'': "[http://bridgehunter.com/tn/claiborne/bh42570/ CSX Cumberland Gap Tunnel]". Accessed 26 August 2013.</ref>}} ultimately necessitating the dissolution of the Powell Valley Railroad and its recapitalization as the [[Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, and Louisville Railroad|Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, & Louisville]].<ref name=choochoo/> Rebuilding from a devastating fire in 1890 used up more capital and time and the poor quality of local ore meant that revenue from Arthur's steel mills was insufficient to weather the [[Panic of 1893]] on Wall Street.<ref name="history"/> Arthur's development of the area finished, the post office was renamed the following year after the already-prevalent local spelling "Middlesboro".<ref name=ren/> The Knoxville, Cumberland Pass, & Louisville was bought out by the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad|L&N]] in 1896.<ref name=choochoo/> The local newspaper, the ''[[Middlesboro Daily News]]'', was established in 1911.<ref name= AboutMDN>{{cite web| url= http://middlesborodailynews.com/about-us| title= About Us| website= MiddlesboroDailyNews.com| access-date= 10 September 2015}}</ref>

Despite being the largest city in the county, the development of Middlesboro came too late to avoid [[Pineville, Kentucky|Pineville]]'s being the [[county seat|seat]] of the local courthouse. The two cities have remained friendly rivals since Middlesboro's founding.

===Little Las Vegas===
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
{{anchor|early 20th century}}
Middlesboro installed the first [[tram|electric street cars]] west of [[Washington, D.C.]], to help locals and tourists visiting the city which became known as "Little [[Las Vegas#History|Las Vegas]]" in the 1930s. By this time, Middlesboro was full of [[gambling in Kentucky|slot machines]], [[alcohol in Kentucky|saloons]], and [[prostitution in Kentucky|brothels]]. During this period, shootouts in the streets were part of daily life. The town, under rule of the infamous Ball brothers, was featured in newspapers across the country as one of the deadliest, wildest cities in the United States.

===Athens of the Mountains===
{{anchor|late 20th century}}
By the 1950s, Middlesboro had a population of roughly 15,000 residents. Their strong support for the arts led to the city being called "the Athens of the Mountains". It was one of the few cities in the [[Eastern Mountain Coal Fields|Eastern Coal Fields]] to boast a grand [[opera house]] and it hosted one of the finest school districts in the state.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}} The first [[shopping mall]] was built in the city during the 1960s. The city was named an "[[All Kentucky City]]"{{clarify|date=August 2013}} in 1964, '65, '66, '67, and '69, a huge honor for such a small city.{{why|date=August 2013}} The [[Cumberland Gap National Historical Park]] was also established during this time.

During the 1970s, the area's coal industry revived and the city prospered again. A grand centennial celebration was held in 1990 that included a [[ball (dance)|ball]], air show, and beauty pageant, as well as the dedication of a new city park. The [[Cumberland Gap Tunnel]] was opened in 1996.<ref name=tunnel>National Park Service. "[http://www.nps.gov/archive/cuga/tunnel.htm Cumberland Gap Tunnel]". Accessed 17 August 2010.</ref>{{Relevance inline|date=August 2013}}

===Present-day===
[[File:Distant view of Middlesboro, KY.jpg|thumb|right|210px|View of Middlesboro from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park]]
{{anchor|21st century}}
Currently, Middlesboro is investing in downtown revitalization to help create new business and give the city a better image. In 2004, Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. (DDM), was formed to promote and lead the revamping of the historic downtown area. Since its inception, Discover Downtown Middlesboro has helped numerous businesses receive a facelift and has restored the historic Fountain Square in downtown. The organization also helps to create awareness of the city's grand and regal past. Numerous large-scaled [[sepia (color)|sepia]] murals are placed throughout downtown, paying homage to the founder of Middlesboro, his wife, and other historic points in the history of Middlesboro. DDM also hosts numerous events for the community and the tri-state area that are free to the public, one of the most popular includes the Downtown Ducky Dash and Block Party. DDM oversees all projects that take place within the downtown area and has plans to create brick stamped crosswalks at Fountain Square. Ultimately, they plan to make the historic downtown area more pedestrian-friendly with more benches, bike racks, planters, and streetscape improvements in the works. Recently, the organization has applied for nearly $1 million in grant money for the purpose of preservation and development of the general downtown district. Currently, DDM has invested in a Preservation Plan, which should be unveiled in September 2013. This plan, once complete, will outline the plans for the revitalization of downtown Middlesboro, help create a brand for the downtown area, as well help lay a foundation to preserve the rich architectural details in the downtown historic district.

In June 2011 a severe flash flood damaged many homes and businesses in Middlesboro. Following a rainfall of {{convert|8.5|in|cm|abbr=on}} in 48 hours, the waterways could not cope with the deluge. Two area residents perished in the flood, and dozens were left homeless. The downtown area was one of the hardest hit areas in the city. At one point during the rain event, enough water was present throughout the entire downtown area that vehicles were completely submerged. For many hours after the flood, travel in and around the city was very difficult due to large amounts of standing water in the basin that Middlesboro is built in. A few days afterwards, [[list of governors of Kentucky|Governor]] [[Steve Beshear]] toured the area and formally declared it a disaster, permitting state funds to be used in rebuilding.

In April 2012, Middlesboro became the first city in the United States to have a community-wide organic garden, which features 60 raised-bed gardens that will be used to grow food for people in the community. Some beds are even disability accessible. The beds will be given out on a first come, first served basis. The food that is grown in the beds will help to reduce costs for families in need, and can be donated to people in need or sold to local restaurants. The community organic garden was made possible through the City of Middlesboro, Bell County Health Department, and several donors and volunteers. Middlesboro is currently working to become one of the first cities in Kentucky to be a certified Trail Town. The Mayor, along with the City Council, showed support and took initiative in becoming a certified Trail Town. This feat will be a collaboration between the Bell County Tourism Commission, Bell County Adventure Tourism, Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Bell County Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Middlesboro.

Middlesboro was featured on the [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]]'s television series ''[[How the States Got Their Shapes]]'' in the episode "Forces of Nature". The city also featured in one of the [[BBC]]'s ''[[Wonders of the Solar System]]'' episodes.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://middlesborodailynews.com/bookmark/3237109|first=Stephen|last=Woodward|date=August 2009|access-date=5 November 2011|title=BBC comes to the 'Crater'|work=Middlesboro Daily News|location=Middlesboro, Kentucky|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008163948/http://middlesborodailynews.com/bookmark/3237109|archive-date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Good Morning America]]'' honored the Middlesboro-Bell County Library for participating in the "52 Weeks of Giving" program on May 27, 2013.

On September 15, 2015, Middlesboro held an election to allow alcohol production and retail in the city limits. Previously, all of [[Bell County, Kentucky|Bell County]] had been [[Dry county|dry]] except for the special circumstance of a state park in [[Pineville, Kentucky]]. Allowing alcohol in the city would make Bell County a Moist County. The vote passed 1,298-yes to 1,179-no.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Middlesboro-votes-yes-to-become-moist-town-327786481.html|title = Middlesboro votes 'yes' to become a moist town.|last = Noe|first = Caleb|date = September 15, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151120024254/http://www.wkyt.com/wymt/home/headlines/Middlesboro-votes-yes-to-become-moist-town-327786481.html|archive-date = November 20, 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref> With such a close vote, tension arose around the topic of alcohol allowance in the small community.

Beginning in the summer of 2015, Discover Downtown Middlesboro is the recipient of a grant from the Levitt Foundation of California. This grant provides funding for a series of 10 outdoor music concerts each summer. The concert venue is a formerly abandoned lot near the main intersection of town at 20th & Cumberland Ave. Middlesboro is one of 15 cities across the nation to be chosen for the Levitt AMP series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://grant.levittamp.org/middlesboro/|title=Levitt AMP Middlesboro Music Series|website=Grant.levittamp.org|access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
Middlesboro is located at {{Coord|36|36|37|N|83|43|24|W|type:city}} (36.610146, -83.723230).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The city sits just inside the [[Cumberland Gap]], along [[U.S. Route 25E]], and is located inside of a [[meteorite]] [[Impact crater|crater]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Crawford|first1=Matthew|last2=Hunsberger|first2=Hanna|title=Geology of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park|url=http://kgs.uky.edu/kgsweb/olops/pub/kgs/mc199_12.pdf|website=Kentucky Geological Survey|publisher=University of Kentucky, Lexington|access-date=30 July 2014|year=2011}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|7.6|sqmi|km2}}, all but {{convert|0.09|sqmi|km2}} of which is land. [[U.S. Route 25E|U.S. 25E]] provides four-lane connection to [[Interstate 75]] at [[Corbin, Kentucky|Corbin]], {{convert|45|miles}} to the northwest. With the recently completed renovations on U.S. 25E, travelers now have four-lane connection to [[Interstate 81]] at [[Morristown, Tennessee|Morristown]], [[Tennessee]], {{convert|45|miles}} to the south.

===Climate===
Middlesboro experiences a [[humid subtropical]] climate with distinct four seasons. Average high is {{convert|87|°F}} in July, the warmest month, with the average lows of {{convert|24|°F}} occurring in January, the coolest month. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|112|°F}} in July 1930. The lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-18|°F}} in January 1985. Average annual precipitation is {{convert|42.8|in|mm}}, with the wettest month being March, averaging {{convert|5.25|in|mm}}.

{{Weather box
|location = Middlesboro Fire Department, Kentucky (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1892–2009)
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 77
| Feb record high F = 84
| Mar record high F = 93
| Apr record high F = 100
| May record high F = 100
| Jun record high F = 102
| Jul record high F = 112
| Aug record high F = 105
| Sep record high F = 104
| Oct record high F = 94
| Nov record high F = 90
| Dec record high F = 78
| year record high F = 112
| Jan high F = 45.1
| Feb high F = 49.7
| Mar high F = 59.2
| Apr high F = 69.2
| May high F = 77.4
| Jun high F = 84.6
| Jul high F = 87.4
| Aug high F = 86.0
| Sep high F = 80.4
| Oct high F = 69.8
| Nov high F = 59.4
| Dec high F = 47.7
| year high F = 68.0
| Jan mean F = 35.1
| Feb mean F = 38.5
| Mar mean F = 46.2
| Apr mean F = 55.3
| May mean F = 63.7
| Jun mean F = 72.0
| Jul mean F = 75.3
| Aug mean F = 74.4
| Sep mean F = 67.8
| Oct mean F = 56.4
| Nov mean F = 47.1
| Dec mean F = 37.6
| year mean F = 55.8
| Jan low F = 25.0
| Feb low F = 27.3
| Mar low F = 33.2
| Apr low F = 41.5
| May low F = 50.0
| Jun low F = 59.4
| Jul low F = 63.3
| Aug low F = 62.7
| Sep low F = 55.2
| Oct low F = 43.1
| Nov low F = 34.7
| Dec low F = 27.5
| year low F = 43.6
| Jan record low F = −18
| Feb record low F = −20
| Mar record low F = −4
| Apr record low F = 15
| May record low F = 26
| Jun record low F = 28
| Jul record low F = 40
| Aug record low F = 40
| Sep record low F = 30
| Oct record low F = 16
| Nov record low F = 3
| Dec record low F = −11
| year record low F = −20
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 4.18
| Feb precipitation inch = 4.03
| Mar precipitation inch = 4.39
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.28
| May precipitation inch = 4.58
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.28
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.89
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.74
| Sep precipitation inch = 3.45
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.73
| Nov precipitation inch = 3.80
| Dec precipitation inch = 4.54
| year precipitation inch = 49.89
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name="nws">
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=jkl
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 22, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00155389&format=pdf
| title = Station: Middlesboro Fire Department, KY
| work = U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = June 22, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1890 = 3271
| 1900 = 4162
| 1910 = 7305
| 1920 = 8041
| 1930 = 10350
| 1940 = 11777
| 1950 = 14482
| 1960 = 12607
| 1970 = 11878
| 1980 = 12251
| 1990 = 11328
| 2000 = 10384
| 2010 = 10334
| 2020 = 9405
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 9131
| estref = <ref name="auto"/>
| 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=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 10,384 people, 4,443 households, and 2,927 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,359.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 4,955 housing units at an average density of {{convert|648.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 92.84% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 4.90% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|African American]], 0.38% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Native American]], 0.63% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Pacific Islander]], 0.19% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|other races]], and 1.02% from two or more races. [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race were 0.79% of the population.

There were 4,443 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,565, and the median income for a family was $25,016. Males had a median income of $23,285 versus $19,040 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,189. About 24.4% of families and 28.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 41.2% of those under age 18 and 16.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==
[[File:Cumberland Gap Tunnel.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cumberland Gap Tunnel]]]]
The city's main thoroughfare is [[U.S. Route 25E|U.S. 25E]]. The U.S. 25E Tunnel (a.k.a. the [[Cumberland Gap Tunnel]]) is a {{convert|.87|mi|km|adj=on}} tunnel that travels underneath the famous [[Cumberland Gap]]. The northern terminus is located in Middlesboro and the southern terminus is in [[Cumberland Gap, Tennessee]].<ref name=tunnel/> Middlesboro is one of the few cities in Kentucky that was not built on or near a significant waterway, so it is not reachable by water. The only major body of water near the city is Fern Lake, a small lake that sits on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. A man-made canal flows through the heart of the city. The canal channels Yellow Creek from the western part of the city through downtown and then heads north, northeast out of the city. The Middlesboro Canal was built by a large number of immigrants soon after the city was founded. The canal is home to numerous populations and species of ducks, all of which are considered to be honorary citizens of the city, despite the traffic headaches they may cause. Traffic and pedestrians must yield the right of way to the ducks at all times and anyone caught harming the ducks could face fines or jail time. Due to Middlesboro being known around the region for the large duck population, the canal serves as the "raceway" for the Downtown Ducky Dash rubber duck race held annually in August by Discover Downtown Middlesboro.

[[File:middlesboro kentucky welcome sign.JPG|thumb|Welcome sign coming into the city.]]

Middleboro's main thoroughfare is named Cumberland Avenue, which runs through Middlesboro's historic downtown district. Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. (DDM) is a non-profit downtown revitalization effort charged with the restoration of the downtown area. DDM has been around since 2004 and since then, has restored Middlesboro's famed Fountain Square, completed many historical murals in town, started and formed a farmer's market, updated signage in the downtown area, and received grants for new plantings for the numerous planters that line Cumberland Avenue. Many of the streets which run parallel to Cumberland Avenue (east-west) are named for [[Peerage (disambiguation)|peerages]] and locales in [[United Kingdom|Britain]], while perpendicular (north-south) streets are named numerically.  [[U.S. Route 25E|U.S. 25E]] is also known as 12th street, with higher numbers found as one moves west.

===Airport===
Middlesboro is served by the [[Middlesboro-Bell County Airport]], which is a single runway, [[general aviation]] airport and is the second oldest airport still in use in Kentucky, ranking behind Bowman Field in Louisville.. The airport was established in 1944, however, the first recorded flight into the city was in 1912. It serves as the home for 26 aircraft and more than 18,000 operations annually. The Middlesboro-Bell County Airport was also the home of the famed P-38 Lightning, [[Glacier Girl]]. The aircraft was restored on site at the airport, where she made her first maiden flight in October 2002. The airport has recently undergone a major renovation, including the addition of a brand new terminal that features public restrooms, lounge, kitchen, and a radio room that can be used for up-to-date weather information. Other renovations/additions include a jet fuel tank, which will allow more air traffic to use the facility. In the near future, the airport plans to widen and expand the current runway and taxiway, plus add new hangars for aircraft, new runway lighting, and an Aircraft Weather Observation System (AWOS). The closest major airport to Middlesboro is the [[McGhee Tyson Airport]] in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], which is {{convert|75.5|mi|km}} away.

==Education==
Middlesboro has a [[public library]], a branch of the Bell County Public Library District.<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>

==Economy==
Middlesboro is home to [[Middlesboro Mall]], the only enclosed shopping mall in the area. The area also features Middlesboro Crossing, a recently constructed strip mall on the north end of the city.

==Sports==
Middlesboro was home to several [[minor league baseball]] teams between 1913 and 1963. The [[Middlesboro Athletics]] were members of the Class D [[Mountain States League (1948–54)|Mountain States League]] (1949–1954). Earlier, the [[Middlesboro Colonels]] played in the, [[Appalachian League]] (1913–1914). After the Athletics, Middlesboro returned to the Appalachian League with the [[Middlesboro Senators]] (1961–1962) and [[Middlesboro Cubsox]] (1963). Middlesboro was an affiliate of the [[Washington Senators (1961–71)|Washington Senators]] (1961–1962) and both the [[Chicago Cubs]] & [[Chicago White Sox]] (1963). The teams played at Hilltop Speedway Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-1678|title=Hilltop Speedway Park in Middlesboro, KY minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=Statscrew.com|access-date=14 November 2021}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{col div}}
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their OWN article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
* [[Joseph Bosworth (Kentucky politician)|Joseph Bosworth]], Businessman, lawyer, and politician
* [[Lela E. Buis]], writer
* [[Gerry Bussell]], [[defensive back]] for the [[Denver Broncos]]
* [[David Grant Colson]], U.S. Representative in 19th Century
* [[Jamie Coots]], [[Pentecostalism|Pentacostal]] pastor who died from a snake bite suffered during a church service<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/16/us/snake-salvation-pastor-bite/index.html|title=Reality show snake-handling preacher dies -- of snakebite - CNN.com|author=Ashley Fantz|website=CNN|date=16 February 2014|accessdate=2 June 2017|archive-date=5 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705010702/http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/16/us/snake-salvation-pastor-bite/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Ben Harney]], [[ragtime]] pianist
* [[Matt Jones (radio host)|Matt Jones]], host of ''Kentucky Sports Radio''
* [[Lee Majors]], actor, ''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]'' and ''[[The Fall Guy]]'' was raised in the town as a child
* [[Leonard F. Mason]], [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Henry Harrison Mayes]], evangelist, known for religious signs and markers along US highways
* [[William McElwee Miller]], American missionary to [[Persia]] and author
* [[Julie Parrish]], actress, ''[[The Doberman Gang]]''
* [[Trish Suhr]], comedian and actress
* [[Georgia Turner]], singer of the "[[Rising Sun Blues]]"
* [[Vann "Piano Man" Walls]], [[rhythm-and-blues]] pianist
* [[Leo Wardrup]], Navy officer and Virginia state legislator
* [[John White (Kentucky politician)|John White]], U.S. Representative and former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives

{{col div end}}

==See also==
* [[Middlesboro crater]]
* [[Colson House]]
* [[Cumberland Gap National Historical Park]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal |last=Roberts |first=Charles Blanton |title=The Building of Middlesborough |journal=Filson Club History Quarterly |volume=7 |issue=1 |date=January 1933 |url=http://connect1.ajaxdocumentviewer.com/viewerajax.php?BvwxJnWLiwRWaF0rJYlBHOW2Ibql58fFdp%2Fae2lC5762l1myAHfaq0AMOKIpT8T%2BizJ7N8aX0ICVUPaQh5P3iEX0zjoWcs16MY6TiepR8w8JMpf0XN6h0iK93GfqHjd1gTEVNXfQg8Sq2jnNJ09LEXhQ0BCpKzRZG8D%2FTaM1Wsu0uj76ckg%2FA7fAIi8JwcgGcuR9ICjZu7t9if8x0nGEAzya58Xfiff4Oxsx56FjSfhDWJrrrUGfhdvF1aMElq06VMzFifdZXtFcrEJdKoOK3ywv2PsgU%2FfwGro8U9qROu3tA0V0XZcOoLk06fStoMS78LoBP3SQiMiQmiQuAqyAg%2B3%2BCOhzMWhCFzcqJp47qHt7piE86UQc9rBPcWcius%2BmgWGuU2J0kyrd9Rq3MWgofJNz2knhx1Al1hMeScKtLK8%3D |access-date=2011-11-29}}
*Matheny, Ann Dudley. The Magic City: Footnotes to the History of Middlesborough, Kentucky, and the Yellow Creek Valley. Middlesboro, KY: Bell County Historical Society, 2003. Print.

==External links==
* [http://www.middlesborokentucky.net/ City of Middlesboro]
* [http://www.middlesborodailynews.com/ The Middlesboro Daily News]
* [http://www.mboro.k12.ky.us/ Middlesboro Independent Schools]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110201132858/http://www.middlesboroughhistory.com/ Middlesborough History]

{{Bell County, Kentucky}}
{{Eastern Mountain Coal Fields (Kentucky)}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{KYLargestCities}}

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[[Category:Middlesboro, Kentucky|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Bell County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1890]]