Editing Monticello, Kentucky

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = 
| official_name      = Monticello, Kentucky
| settlement_type    = [[list of Ky cities|City]]
| named_for          = [[list of U.S. presidents|Pres.]] [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s [[Monticello|Virginia home]]
| nickname           = "Houseboat Manufacturing Capital of the World"
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Wayne County Kentucky courthouse.jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = Wayne County courthouse in Monticello
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = File:Wayne County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Monticello Highlighted 2153130.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Monticello in Wayne 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  = [[Wayne County, Kentucky|Wayne]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Kenny Catron<ref>{{cite web|url=https://monticelloky.gov/#:~:text=Mayor%20Kenny%20Catron%20took%20office,second%20generation%20Mayor%20of%20Monticello.|title=Kenny Catron is Monticello's new mayor as of January 1, 2023.|publisher=City of Monticello|access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = 1801<ref name=sos>Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Monticello, 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_sq_mi   = 6.13
| area_land_sq_mi    = 6.09
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.04

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 5753
| population_density_sq_mi = 944.66

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 974
| coordinates        = {{coord|36|50|28|N|84|51|01|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 42633
| area_code          = [[Area code 606|606]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 21-53130
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2404291<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404291}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.monticelloky.gov/ www.monticelloky.gov]
| footnotes          = 
| 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     = 5755
| area_total_km2     = 15.88
| area_land_km2      = 15.77
| area_water_km2     = 0.11
| population_density_km2 = 364.76
}}

'''Monticello''' is a city in [[Wayne County, Kentucky]], United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform |url=http://www.klc.org/UserFiles/files/ClassificationReformFACT(3).pdf |access-date=December 30, 2014 |publisher=Kentucky League of Cities}}</ref> It is the [[county seat|seat]] of its county.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Its population was 5,753 at the time of the [[2020 United States census]].

Monticello claims to be "the Houseboat Capital of the World", as numerous houseboat manufacturers operate in the city. The city is located along [[Lake Cumberland]]. Its economy is built on serving the recreational and tourist traffic to the lake.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.1|sqmi|km2}}, all land.

Monticello is located near the center of Wayne County, along Elk Creek, a tributary of Beaver Creek, which flows westward into Lake Cumberland.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Kentucky encyclopedia|author=Kleber, John E.|author2=Wymer, Scott A.|author3=Kmetz, Thomas P.|date=1 January 2000|publisher=Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy|oclc=47829819}}</ref> State highways [[Kentucky Route 92|92]], [[Kentucky Route 90|90]], and [[Kentucky Route 167|167]] were constructed to intersect at the county seat.

== History ==
[[File:Horse-hollow-cabin-ky1.jpg|left|200px|thumb|This log cabin in downtown Monticello, Kentucky, was built in the early 19th century by [[John Smith (Restoration Movement)|"Raccoon" John Smith]] (1784–1868). The cabin was originally located in Horse Hollow on the Little South Fork River.
|alt=Log cabin in downtown Monticello, Kentucky, built in the early 19th century by "Raccoon" John Smith (1784–1868). The cabin was originally located in Horse Hollow on the Little South Fork River.]]
Monticello was designated as the county seat when the Wayne County was formed in 1800. The first Wayne county clerk, [[Micah Taul]], named the town after [[Thomas Jefferson]]'s plantation and home; Jefferson was elected President of the United States that year.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sparks |first=Elder |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zWLPFpm5e1MC |title=Raccoon John Smith: Frontier Kentucky's Most Famous Preacher |date=2005-12-23 |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |isbn=978-0-8131-7182-1 |pages=65 |language=en}}</ref> Joshua Jones, a surveyor and Revolutionary War veteran, laid out the town on 13 acres owned by William Beard. By 1810, the population numbered 27.

In the late 1800s, oil was discovered in Wayne County, creating an economic boost. Drilling began in these local oil fields in the 1880s, and was renewed in 1921 and 1922.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS |url=http://www.uky.edu/OtherOrgs/KPS/goky/pages/gokych23c.htm#f |website=University of Kentucky}}</ref>

Electricity was introduced to the city in 1905. City water was installed in 1929. Manufacturing dominated the economy from the late 1950s and 1960s until the late 20th and early 21st centuries.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Kentucky Encyclopedia|editor-last=Kleber|editor-first=John|publisher=University of Kentucky|year=1992|isbn=0813117720|location=Lexington Ky|pages=644–45}}</ref>

In 1973, Belden Corporation (wire and cable) employed 300 people, Gamble Brothers (wood products) employed 161 people, Waterbury Garment (clothing) employed 271 people, and Monticello Manufacturing (clothing) employed 240 people. Each of these companies has left Monticello.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kentucky, A Regional Geography|editor-last=Karen|editor-first=P. P.|publisher=Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company|year=1973|location=Dubuque, Iowa|pages=88}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1810 = 37
| 1830 = 205
| 1840 = 142
| 1880 = 354
| 1890 = 413
| 1900 = 546
| 1910 = 1338
| 1920 = 1514
| 1930 = 1503
| 1940 = 1733
| 1950 = 2934
| 1960 = 2940
| 1970 = 3618
| 1980 = 5677
| 1990 = 5357
| 2000 = 5981
| 2010 = 6188
| 2020 = 5753
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 5755
| 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=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, 5,981 people, 2,508 households, and 1,635 families resided in the city. The population density was {{convert|984.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 2,730 housing units had an average density of {{convert|449.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 94.63% White, 2.42% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 1.34% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.96% of the population.

Of the 2,508 households, 31.3% had children under  18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were not families. About 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the age distribution was 25.0% under 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $17,4 23, and for a family was $24,460. Males had a median income of $28,638 versus $19,259 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $11,855. About 29.2% of families and 34.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 39.9% of those under 18 and 35.4% of those 65 or over.

==Education==
As of June 30, 2013, it is served by [[Wayne County Schools (Kentucky)|Wayne County Schools]].<ref>{{cite web|author=McGinnis, Sylvia|url=https://www.wcoutlook.com/news/local_news/monticello-independent-school-operation-of-school-district-to-cease-june/article_2e8db488-6ef3-5d12-8def-6ec8228d8634.html|title=Monticello Independent School Operation of school district to cease June 30 |work=Wayne County Outlook|agency=[[CNHI]]|date=2013-03-19|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref>

The first recorded school in Wayne County was opened around 1800 by Robert Ferrill, a well-educated wheelwright who had a few good books. Monticello's first school was opened in 1807 by Rodes Garth, who taught "Roman history, the Scriptures, orthography, and pronunciation."  In 1819, Yale graduate John S. Frisbie began a school with Michael Huffaker as the first teacher of record.  The Monticello Academy was established in 1830 with John Lankford as the headmaster, followed by Professor Mullins, and later William Burton.

In 1843, under the guidance of Commissioners Micajah Phillips, John Rousseau, Martin Beaty, and Francis Goddard, the county voted and ratified to organize into common school districts. The first examiners for receiving a teaching certificate were physician Jonathan S. Frisbie, lawyer John Lankford, and teacher Littleton Beard. By 1842, 16 schoolhouses had been built in Wayne County, three listed within several miles of Monticello. Teachers at these schools before the Civil War include Amanda McGee, William and Thomas Simpson, Joseph Ballou, and Marcellus Baugh. In these early schools, textbooks were scarce, but included ''Dilworth's Spelling Book'', ''Murray's English Reader and English Grammar'', ''Noble Butler's Goodrich Readers and Grammar'', and the ''McGuffey's Readers''. The first school superintendent of Wayne County was Robert McBeath, a "member of a family noted for their intellectual qualities." His son, Tom McBeath, moved on to be president of Florida State University.

In 1866, following the Civil War, the Kendrick Academy opened in Monticello with Milton Elliott as principal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Crawford |first=Andrew J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z5RAAAAMAAJ |title=Crawford & Allied Families (Brent, Curd, Dugan, Kindrick, Perkins, Etc.), 1540-1971 |date=1972 |publisher= |pages=131 |language=en}}</ref> Teachers in Monticello in the 1860s and '70s include Marion Huffaker, Marshall Stone, and Ala Shearer. Ones in the 1880s and '90s include Lucy and Amanda Taylor, Sallie and Eula Kendrick, Emma Kelley, Fount Cooper, William Sandusky, Tobias Huffaker, and Mollie Denny, who became the Wayne County superintendent. In 1872, the Kendrick Academy closed due to a fire.<ref name=":0" />

In 1879, a girls' school was opened by Roxie Buchanan, followed by William Bradshaw, and in 1885, W.T. Chaffin opened Classical High School with teachers T. Leigh Thompson, T. C. Job, and Georgia Brock; and around 1890 added kindergarten and primary schools with teachers Ms. Oakley and Graves.  Successive principals at the school until the close of the 19th century were W. T. Chafin, T. Leigh Thompson, Professor H. C. Jones, Hayden Grubbs, Professor Chafin again, and finally Mr. Ballard.<ref>Johnson, A.P. (1939). Chapter 6, Education – Early schools common school system. A Century of Wayne County Kentucky, 1880-1900.</ref>

From 1905 until 2013, Monticello had [[Monticello Independent Schools]], its own school district independent of the surrounding Wayne County Schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monticello.k12.ky.us/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207072621/http://www.monticello.k12.ky.us/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-02-07|title=Home|publisher=Monticello Independent Schools|access-date=2019-10-25}}</ref>

=== Vocational education ===
Wayne County Vocational School has served students of Wayne County since 1971. The school has had many name changes over the years and is currently named Wayne County Area Technology Center (ATC).Wayne County ATC moved to its new location at 38 Academic Ave in 2020 and adopted Wayne County High School Tech programs Agricultural, JAG, Health Science and Computer Science. Wayne County ATC is managed by the Office of Career and Technical Education. The school serves secondary students enrolled in Wayne County High School.  Programs include Health Science, Welding, Carpentry, Machine Tool Automotive Technology,  3D printing/Computer Science Technology, JAG, Agriculture, Industrial Maintenance, and Office Technology.

==State government representatives==
Max Wise of Campbellsville is the current [[Kentucky State Senate|Kentucky state senator]], representing District 16, which includes Wayne, [[Adair County, Kentucky|Adair]], [[Clinton County, Kentucky|Clinton]], [[Cumberland County, Kentucky|Cumberland]], [[McCreary County, Kentucky|McCreary]], [[Russell County, Kentucky|Russell]], and [[Taylor County, Kentucky|Taylor]] Counties.  The District 52 Kentucky House of Representatives seat is held by [[Ken Upchurch]] of Monticello.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cknj.com/content/gregory-countys-new-senator|title=Gregory is county's new senator: Higdon no longer represents Taylor County|publisher=Central Kentucky News-Journal|access-date=August 27, 2013}}</ref> District 52 includes Wayne County, McCreary County, and part of Pulaski County.

==Notable people==
*[[Dick Burnett (musician)|Dick Burnett]] (1883–1977), folk musician
* [[Mark Cole]], member [[Virginia House of Delegates]]
*[[Shelby Moore Cullom]] (1829–1914), United States senator, congressman, and the 17th [[governor of Illinois]] from 1877 to 1883
* [[Kevin Denney]], country music artist
* Sara Beth Gregory, member [[Kentucky House of Representatives]], [[Kentucky Senate]], and circuit judge 
* [[Walter Dee Huddleston]] (1926–2018), U.S. Senator from Kentucky
* [[Martin Massengale]] (born 1933), president of the [[University of Nebraska system]] from 1989 to 1994
* [[Louise Slaughter]] (1929–2018), U.S. congresswoman from New York
* [[Ken Upchurch]] (born 1969), member [[Kentucky House of Representatives]]
* [[Thomas Hansford Williams]] (1828–1886), former [[attorney general of California]]<ref name="Tom">{{cite web |title=Thomas H. Williams |url=http://oag.ca.gov/history/7williams |accessdate=21 October 2022 |publisher=State of California Department of Justice}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Monticello (Kentucky)}}
* [http://www.monticelloky.gov/ City of Monticello, Kentucky homepage]

{{Wayne County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Monticello, Kentucky|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Wayne County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:County seats in Kentucky]]
[[Category:1801 establishments in Kentucky]]