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{{short description|County in Kentucky, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Wolfe County
| county = Wolfe County
| state = Kentucky
| state = Kentucky
| seal =
| seal =
| founded year = 1860
| founded year = 1860
| founded date =
| founded date =
| seat wl = Campton
| seat wl = Campton
| largest city wl = Campton
| largest city wl = Campton
| area_total_sq_mi = 223
| area_total_sq_mi = 223
| area_land_sq_mi = 222
| area_land_sq_mi = 222
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.6
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.6
| area percentage = 0.3
| area percentage = 0.3
| census yr = 2020
| population_as_of = 2010
| pop = 6562
| population_total = 7355
| pop_est_as_of = 2018
| pop_est_as_of = 2023
| population_est = 7177
| population_est = 6282 {{decrease}}
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| density_sq_mi = auto
| time zone = Eastern
| time zone = Eastern
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
| named for = The Wolfe family out of Western North Carolina
| named for = The Wolfe family out of Western North Carolina
| ex image = Wolfe County, Kentucky courthouse.jpg
| ex image = Wolfe County, Kentucky courthouse.jpg
| ex image cap = Wolfe County courthouse in Campton
| ex image cap = Wolfe County courthouse in Campton
| district = 6th
| district = 5th
}}
}}


'''Wolfe County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Kentucky]]. As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], the population was 7,355.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21237.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 6, 2014}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Campton, Kentucky|Campton]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|accessdate=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county is named for Nathaniel Wolfe.
'''Wolfe 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 6,562.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Wolfe County, Kentucky|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Wolfe_County,_Kentucky?g=0500000US21237|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Campton, Kentucky|Campton]].<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 Nathaniel Wolfe, one of the first two graduates of the University of Virginia School of Laws in 1829 and a loyal Unionist attorney for Jefferson County, Kentucky.


==History==
==History==
Wolfe County was formed on March 5, 1860 from portions of Breathitt County, Morgan County, Owsley County and Powell County. It was named for [[Nathaneal Wolfe]], a member of the legislative assembly.<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/n37 37]}}</ref>
Wolfe County was formed on March 5, 1860, from portions of Breathitt County, Morgan County, Owsley County and Powell County. It was named for [[Nathaneal Wolfe]], a member of the legislative assembly.<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/n37 37]}}</ref>


[[Campton, Kentucky|Campton]], the county's seat was reportedly formed from camp town in Wolfe County. A small creek winding through Campton, Swift Creek, is named after Jonathan Swift of the legend of [[Swift's silver mine]]. Swift supposedly buried treasure in the area which has never been recovered.
[[Campton, Kentucky|Campton]], the county's seat was reportedly formed from camp town in Wolfe County. A small creek winding through Campton, Swift Creek, is named after Jonathan Swift of the legend of [[Swift's silver mine]]. Swift supposedly buried treasure in the area which has never been recovered.


==Geography==
==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|223|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|222|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi}} (0.3%) 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|accessdate=August 20, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt|archivedate=August 12, 2014}}</ref>
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|223|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|222|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi}} (0.3%) 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 20, 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>


===Adjacent counties===
===Adjacent counties===
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{{US Census population
{{US Census population
|1870= 3603
| 1870 = 3603
|1880= 5638
| 1880 = 5638
|1890= 7180
| 1890 = 7180
|1900= 8764
| 1900 = 8764
|1910= 9864
| 1910 = 9864
|1920= 8783
| 1920 = 8783
|1930= 8425
| 1930 = 8425
|1940= 9997
| 1940 = 9997
|1950= 7615
| 1950 = 7615
|1960= 6534
| 1960 = 6534
|1970= 5669
| 1970 = 5669
|1980= 6698
| 1980 = 6698
|1990= 6503
| 1990 = 6503
|2000= 7065
| 2000 = 7065
|2010= 7355
| 2010 = 7355
| 2020 = 6562
|estyear=2018
| align-fn = center
|estimate=7177
| 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 20, 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 20, 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 20, 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 20, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2021<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21237.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 6, 2014|archive-date=September 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905072012/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/21/21237.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=July 29, 2019}}</ref>
| estimate = 6282
|align-fn=center
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html#v2023|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 14, 2024}}</ref>
|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|accessdate=August 20, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|accessdate=August 20, 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|accessdate=August 20, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 20, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name="QF"/>
| estyear = 2023
}}
}}


As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 7,065 people, 2,816 households, and 1,976 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|32|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 3,264 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 99.24% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.33% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.
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 7,065 people, 2,816 households, and 1,976 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|32|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 3,264 housing units at an average density of {{convert|15|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 99.24% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.24% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.33% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.


There were 2,816 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.
There were 2,816 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.
Line 80: Line 83:


The median income for a household in the county was $19,310, and the median income for a family was $23,333. Males had a median income of $23,859 versus $18,952 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $10,321. About 29.90% of families and 35.90% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 50.20% of those under age 18 and 26.70% of those age 65 or over.
The median income for a household in the county was $19,310, and the median income for a family was $23,333. Males had a median income of $23,859 versus $18,952 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $10,321. About 29.90% of families and 35.90% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 50.20% of those under age 18 and 26.70% of those age 65 or over.

Wolfe County is the poorest county in the United States, by median household income.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%240500000&tid=ACSDT5Y2020.B19013 | title=Explore Census Data }}</ref>


==Politics==
==Politics==
Wolfe County, like most of [[Eastern Kentucky]] is historically Democratic. In 2000, [[George W. Bush]] narrowly won the county and became the first Republican to do so, but the county still proved its Democratic loyalty by supporting John Kerry by a comfortable margin in the next election. However, the county has indeed drifted away from the Democrats at the presidential level as [[Mitt Romney]] won the county 60% to 30% in 2012, and [[Donald Trump]] with an even wider margin of 68% to 28%.
Wolfe County, like most of [[Eastern Kentucky]], is historically Democratic; in every presidential election from its creation in 1860 until 1996, the county had an uninterrupted Democratic voting streak. In 2000, [[George W. Bush]] narrowly won the county and became the first Republican to do so, but the county still proved its Democratic loyalty by supporting John Kerry by a comfortable margin in the next election. However, the county has indeed drifted away from the Democrats at the presidential level as [[Mitt Romney]] won the county 60% to 30% in 2012, and [[Donald Trump]] with an even wider margin of 68% to 28%.


Wolfe remained reliably Democratic at the state level for some time after ceasing to favor the Democratic Party at the presidential level; it voted against [[Matt Bevin]] in both of his gubernatorial elections, and, along with nearby [[Elliott County, Kentucky|Elliott County]], it was, until [[2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky|2020]], one of only two counties in Kentucky to have voted against Senator [[Mitch McConnell]] in each of his elections. In 2020, however, both counties voted for McConnell over his Democratic challenger, [[Amy McGrath]].{{Hidden begin
Wolfe remained reliably Democratic at the state level for some time after ceasing to favor the Democratic Party at the presidential level; it voted against [[Matt Bevin]] in both of his gubernatorial elections. Wolfe County has not voted for a Republican gubernatorial candidate since [[1979 Kentucky gubernatorial election|1979]] when it voted for Republican and former Governor [[Louie Nunn]] over Democrat [[John Y. Brown Jr.]] Along with nearby [[Elliott County, Kentucky|Elliott County]], it was, until [[2020 United States Senate election in Kentucky|2020]], one of only two counties in Kentucky to have voted against Senator [[Mitch McConnell]] in each of his elections. In 2020, however, both counties voted for McConnell over his Democratic challenger, [[Amy McGrath]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.com/2020-election/results/kentucky/senate/ |title=2020 Kentucky Senate Results|work=Politico |access-date=November 7, 2020}}</ref>{{PresHead|place=Wolfe County, Kentucky|whig=no|source1=<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 6, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
|titlestyle = background:#ccccff;
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,097|839|43|Kentucky}}
|title = Presidential election results
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,804|753|78|Kentucky}}
}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,542|976|41|Kentucky}}
{| align="center" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="float:right; margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|1,408|1,493|67|Kentucky}}
|+ '''Presidential election results'''<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=2018-07-06}}</ref>
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|1,385|1,744|26|Kentucky}}
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,267|1,136|22|Kentucky}}
! Year
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|772|1,297|228|Kentucky}}
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|697|1,674|313|Kentucky}}
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|916|1,516|48|Kentucky}}
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]]
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|1,257|1,394|42|Kentucky}}
|-
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|951|1,814|40|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2016 United States presidential election|2016]]'''
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|659|1,777|22|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''68.5%''' ''1,804''
{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|936|957|24|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|28.6% ''753''
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|758|1,162|287|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|3.0% ''78''
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|562|2,018|17|Kentucky}}
|-
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,259|1,554|0|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2012 United States presidential election|2012]]'''
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,059|1,683|0|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''60.3%''' ''1,542''
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|876|1,557|2|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.1% ''976''
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|813|1,918|4|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.6% ''41''
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|889|1,450|2|Kentucky}}
|-
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,032|2,205|0|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2008 United States presidential election|2008]]'''
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|972|1,577|0|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|47.4% ''1,408''
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|909|2,321|2|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''50.3%''' ''1,493''
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,270|1,356|0|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|2.3% ''67''
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|821|1,597|17|Kentucky}}
|-
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|939|1,476|17|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[2004 United States presidential election|2004]]'''
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|645|1,108|6|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.9% ''1,385''
{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|395|873|256|Kentucky}}
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.3%''' ''1,744''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.8% ''26''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''[[2000 United States presidential election|2000]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.3%''' ''1,267''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|46.9% ''1,136''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.9% ''22''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1996 United States presidential election|1996]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.6% ''772''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''56.5%''' ''1,297''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|9.9% ''228''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1992 United States presidential election|1992]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.0% ''697''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''62.4%''' ''1,674''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|11.7% ''313''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1988 United States presidential election|1988]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.9% ''916''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.1%''' ''1,516''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.9% ''48''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1984 United States presidential election|1984]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|46.7% ''1,257''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.8%''' ''1,394''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.6% ''42''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1980 United States presidential election|1980]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.9% ''951''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''64.7%''' ''1,814''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.4% ''40''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1976 United States presidential election|1976]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|26.8% ''659''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''72.3%''' ''1,777''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.9% ''22''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1972 United States presidential election|1972]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|48.8% ''936''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''49.9%''' ''957''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|1.3% ''24''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1968 United States presidential election|1968]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34.4% ''758''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''52.7%''' ''1,162''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|13.0% ''287''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1964 United States presidential election|1964]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|21.6% ''562''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''77.7%''' ''2,018''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.7% ''17''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1960 United States presidential election|1960]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|44.8% ''1,259''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''55.2%''' ''1,554''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1956 United States presidential election|1956]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.6% ''1,059''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.4%''' ''1,683''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1952 United States presidential election|1952]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.0% ''876''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.9%''' ''1,557''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.1% ''2''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1948 United States presidential election|1948]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|29.7% ''813''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''70.1%''' ''1,918''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.2% ''4''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1944 United States presidential election|1944]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.0% ''889''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.9%''' ''1,450''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.1% ''2''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1940 United States presidential election|1940]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|31.9% ''1,032''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''68.1%''' ''2,205''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1936 United States presidential election|1936]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.1% ''972''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''61.9%''' ''1,577''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1932 United States presidential election|1932]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|28.1% ''909''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''71.8%''' ''2,321''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.1% ''2''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1928 United States presidential election|1928]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|48.4% ''1,270''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''51.6%''' ''1,356''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.0% ''0''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1924 United States presidential election|1924]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|33.7% ''821''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''65.6%''' ''1,597''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.7% ''17''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1920 United States presidential election|1920]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|38.6% ''939''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''60.7%''' ''1,476''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.7% ''17''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1916 United States presidential election|1916]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|36.7% ''645''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''63.0%''' ''1,108''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|0.3% ''6''
|-
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''[[1912 United States presidential election|1912]]'''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|25.9% ''395''
| style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''57.3%''' ''873''
| style="text-align:center; background:honeyDew;"|16.8% ''256''
|}
{{Hidden end}}


==Events==
==Events==
Line 254: Line 141:
* [[Pine Ridge, Kentucky|Pine Ridge]]
* [[Pine Ridge, Kentucky|Pine Ridge]]
* [[Trent, Kentucky|Trent]]
* [[Trent, Kentucky|Trent]]
* [[Valeria, Kentucky|Valeria]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


Line 260: Line 148:
* Folk artist [[Edgar Tolson]]; [[Ralph Rinzler]] of the Smithsonian Institution was impressed by Tolson's figures, and included them in the 1971 Festival of American Folklife.
* Folk artist [[Edgar Tolson]]; [[Ralph Rinzler]] of the Smithsonian Institution was impressed by Tolson's figures, and included them in the 1971 Festival of American Folklife.
* [[South Trimble]], politician, born near Hazel Green
* [[South Trimble]], politician, born near Hazel Green
* [[Tyler Booth]], Country singer, grew up near the city [[Campton, Kentucky]], population 424, on a farm where he begin playing guitar and writing songs from an early age. Booth signed a major record deal with [[Sony Music Nashville]] in early 2020. His voice and song writing talents were discovered while attending college at [[Morehead State University]] his freshman year.
* [[Tyler Booth]], Country singer, grew up near the city [[Campton, Kentucky]].


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 18:19, 20 September 2024

Wolfe County
County
Wolfe County courthouse in Campton
Wolfe County courthouse in Campton
Map of Kentucky highlighting Wolfe County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°44′N 83°29′W / 37.74°N 83.49°W / 37.74; -83.49
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1860
Named forThe Wolfe family out of Western North Carolina
SeatCampton
Largest cityCampton
Area
 • Total223 sq mi (580 km2)
 • Land222 sq mi (570 km2)
 • Water0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,562
 • Estimate 
(2023)
6,282 Decrease
 • Density29/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th

Wolfe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,562.[1] Its county seat is Campton.[2] The county is named for Nathaniel Wolfe, one of the first two graduates of the University of Virginia School of Laws in 1829 and a loyal Unionist attorney for Jefferson County, Kentucky.

History

[edit]

Wolfe County was formed on March 5, 1860, from portions of Breathitt County, Morgan County, Owsley County and Powell County. It was named for Nathaneal Wolfe, a member of the legislative assembly.[3]

Campton, the county's seat was reportedly formed from camp town in Wolfe County. A small creek winding through Campton, Swift Creek, is named after Jonathan Swift of the legend of Swift's silver mine. Swift supposedly buried treasure in the area which has never been recovered.

Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 223 square miles (580 km2), of which 222 square miles (570 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

[edit]

National protected area

[edit]

State protected area

[edit]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18703,603—
18805,63856.5%
18907,18027.4%
19008,76422.1%
19109,86412.6%
19208,783−11.0%
19308,425−4.1%
19409,99718.7%
19507,615−23.8%
19606,534−14.2%
19705,669−13.2%
19806,69818.2%
19906,503−2.9%
20007,0658.6%
20107,3554.1%
20206,562−10.8%
2023 (est.)6,282[5]−4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2021[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 7,065 people, 2,816 households, and 1,976 families residing in the county. The population density was 32 per square mile (12/km2). There were 3,264 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (5.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 99.24% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.06% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. 0.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,816 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% were married couples living together, 12.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.40% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $19,310, and the median income for a family was $23,333. Males had a median income of $23,859 versus $18,952 for females. The per capita income for the county was $10,321. About 29.90% of families and 35.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 50.20% of those under age 18 and 26.70% of those age 65 or over.

Wolfe County is the poorest county in the United States, by median household income.[12]

Politics

[edit]

Wolfe County, like most of Eastern Kentucky, is historically Democratic; in every presidential election from its creation in 1860 until 1996, the county had an uninterrupted Democratic voting streak. In 2000, George W. Bush narrowly won the county and became the first Republican to do so, but the county still proved its Democratic loyalty by supporting John Kerry by a comfortable margin in the next election. However, the county has indeed drifted away from the Democrats at the presidential level as Mitt Romney won the county 60% to 30% in 2012, and Donald Trump with an even wider margin of 68% to 28%.

Wolfe remained reliably Democratic at the state level for some time after ceasing to favor the Democratic Party at the presidential level; it voted against Matt Bevin in both of his gubernatorial elections. Wolfe County has not voted for a Republican gubernatorial candidate since 1979 when it voted for Republican and former Governor Louie Nunn over Democrat John Y. Brown Jr. Along with nearby Elliott County, it was, until 2020, one of only two counties in Kentucky to have voted against Senator Mitch McConnell in each of his elections. In 2020, however, both counties voted for McConnell over his Democratic challenger, Amy McGrath.[13]

United States presidential election results for Wolfe County, Kentucky[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,097 70.39% 839 28.16% 43 1.44%
2016 1,804 68.46% 753 28.58% 78 2.96%
2012 1,542 60.26% 976 38.14% 41 1.60%
2008 1,408 47.44% 1,493 50.30% 67 2.26%
2004 1,385 43.90% 1,744 55.28% 26 0.82%
2000 1,267 52.25% 1,136 46.85% 22 0.91%
1996 772 33.61% 1,297 56.46% 228 9.93%
1992 697 25.97% 1,674 62.37% 313 11.66%
1988 916 36.94% 1,516 61.13% 48 1.94%
1984 1,257 46.68% 1,394 51.76% 42 1.56%
1980 951 33.90% 1,814 64.67% 40 1.43%
1976 659 26.81% 1,777 72.29% 22 0.90%
1972 936 48.83% 957 49.92% 24 1.25%
1968 758 34.35% 1,162 52.65% 287 13.00%
1964 562 21.64% 2,018 77.71% 17 0.65%
1960 1,259 44.76% 1,554 55.24% 0 0.00%
1956 1,059 38.62% 1,683 61.38% 0 0.00%
1952 876 35.98% 1,557 63.94% 2 0.08%
1948 813 29.73% 1,918 70.13% 4 0.15%
1944 889 37.98% 1,450 61.94% 2 0.09%
1940 1,032 31.88% 2,205 68.12% 0 0.00%
1936 972 38.13% 1,577 61.87% 0 0.00%
1932 909 28.13% 2,321 71.81% 2 0.06%
1928 1,270 48.36% 1,356 51.64% 0 0.00%
1924 821 33.72% 1,597 65.59% 17 0.70%
1920 939 38.61% 1,476 60.69% 17 0.70%
1916 645 36.67% 1,108 62.99% 6 0.34%
1912 395 25.92% 873 57.28% 256 16.80%

Events

[edit]

The annual Swift Silver Mine Festival is held on Labor Day weekend each year. It includes a parade and vendors in the downtown Campton area.

Communities

[edit]

City

[edit]

Census-designated place

[edit]

Other unincorporated places

[edit]

Notable people

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Wolfe County, Kentucky". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 37.
  4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data".
  13. ^ "2020 Kentucky Senate Results". Politico. Retrieved November 7, 2020.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 6, 2018.

37°44′N 83°29′W / 37.74°N 83.49°W / 37.74; -83.49

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wolfe_County,_Kentucky&oldid=1246727085"