PRESTONSBURG, KENTUCKY

(Redirected from Prestonsburg)
'Prestonsburg,' the county seat of Floyd County is located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky on the banks of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. It was founded in 1797 by Col. John Preston—for whom it was named—along with Solomon Stratton, Matthias Harman and Andrew Hood. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 3,612.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Education

Culture

Recreation

Films

External links

Geography

Prestonsburg is located at 37°40'4" North, 82°45'32" West (37.667872, -82.758765)
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 28.7 km² (11.1 mi²). 28.2 km² (10.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.5 km² (0.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.81% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 3,612 people, 1,563 households, and 956 families residing in the city. The population density is 128.3/km² (332.2/mi²). There are 1,683 housing units at an average density of 59.8/km² (154.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 97.51% White, 0.33% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.02% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,563 households out of which 26.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% are married couples living together, 14.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.8% are non-families. 37.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.09 and the average family size is 2.72.
In the city the population is spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 80.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $20,810, and the median income for a family is $27,852. Males have a median income of $30,809 versus $22,439 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,013. 27.5% of the population and 26.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 44.2% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Education

Prestonsburg's public schools are part of the Floyd County school system. The city is also home to Big Sandy Community and Technical College.

Culture

The Country Music Highway runs through Prestonsburg and celebrates the region's rich heritage of music. Country music stars including Loretta Lynn, Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom T. Hall, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, and Patty Loveless are all from the Big Sandy Valley.
Prestonsburg is the location of the Mountain Arts Center, which hosts music concerts and is home to the Kentucky Opry.
Middle Creek National Battlefield is the site of the largest and most significant Civil War battles (January 10, 1862) in Eastern Kentucky.
Prestonsburg is home to the Samuel May House Living History Museum. It is the oldest known brick home remaining in the Big Sandy Valley. Built by Samuel May in 1817, the house was utilized by the Confederate forces as a recruiting station during the American Civil War. The 5th Kentucky Infantry CSA and 10th Kentucky Cavalry was organized at this location. The house was being used as a residence until 1981 and was donated to the City of Prestonsburg in 1992. The Samuel May House has since been restored and maintained as a living history museum.
The Jenny Wiley Theatre is also located in Prestonsburg. It offers theatrical productions all year long at both the outdoor Jenny Wiley Amphitheater, located within the Jenny Wiley State Resort Park, and the nearby Mountain Arts Center. The Theatre's presentations of classic Broadway musicals, comedies, historical dramas and holiday productions have kept theatre-goers entertained for the past 40 years.

Recreation

Prestonsburg is also home to Jenny Wiley State Resort Park.

Films

★ ''Frontline: Country Boys'' (2005). Directed by David Sutherland. David Sutherland Productions, Inc.

External links