Cave City, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Cave City is a city in Barren County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population was 1,880 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Glasgow
Micropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,880 people, 844 households, and 544 families residing in the city. The population density
was 435.2 people per square mile (168.0/km²). There were 914 housing units at an average density of 211.6 per square mile (81.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.74% White, 7.13% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.
There were 844 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples
living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,257, and the median income for a family was $30,179. Males had a median income of $28,098 versus $20,214 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,346. About 18.6% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under age 18 and 24.9% of those age 65 or over.
. A number of motels and restaurants are located at the interchange of Interstate 65
and state routes 70 and 90, which cater to tourists visiting the area or just passing through. The city operates a small convention center that is popular with church groups and other family-related organizations, mainly because of the area's lack of crime and abundance of tourist attractions. Cave City has long been a gateway to Mammoth Cave; in the era of passenger rail travel, trains of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
would discharge tourists there, who would then be shuttled to the cave.
Aside from tourism, the city's economy is largely agricultural.
in public places. (The region around Cave City is one of the largest tobacco-producing areas in the world.)
Barren County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 38,033 people, 15,346 households, and 10,941 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 17,095 housing units at an average density of...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,880 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Glasgow
Glasgow, Kentucky
Glasgow is a city in and the county seat of Barren County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 14,200 at the 2000 census. The city is well-known for its annual Scottish Highland Games. In 2007, Barren County was named the number one rural place to live by Progressive Farmer magazine...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Glasgow micropolitan area
The Glasgow Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in Kentucky, anchored by the city of Glasgow...
.
Geography
Cave City is located at 37°8′14"N 85°57′25"W (37.137130, -85.956958).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,880 people, 844 households, and 544 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 435.2 people per square mile (168.0/km²). There were 914 housing units at an average density of 211.6 per square mile (81.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.74% White, 7.13% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.
There were 844 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,257, and the median income for a family was $30,179. Males had a median income of $28,098 versus $20,214 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,346. About 18.6% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.4% of those under age 18 and 24.9% of those age 65 or over.
Business and economy
Cave City's main industry is tourism, thanks to its proximity to Mammoth Cave National ParkMammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park is a U.S. National Park in central Kentucky, encompassing portions of Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system known in the world. The official name of the system is the Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System for the ridge under which the cave has formed. The park was established...
. A number of motels and restaurants are located at the interchange of Interstate 65
Interstate 65
Interstate 65 is a major Interstate Highway in the United States. The southern terminus is located at an intersection with Interstate 10 in Mobile, Alabama, and its northern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 90 , U.S. Route 12, and U.S...
and state routes 70 and 90, which cater to tourists visiting the area or just passing through. The city operates a small convention center that is popular with church groups and other family-related organizations, mainly because of the area's lack of crime and abundance of tourist attractions. Cave City has long been a gateway to Mammoth Cave; in the era of passenger rail travel, trains of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
Louisville and Nashville Railroad
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States.Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business...
would discharge tourists there, who would then be shuttled to the cave.
Aside from tourism, the city's economy is largely agricultural.
Political
Cave City is governed by a mayor and an elected city council. The current mayor is Bob Hunt, owner of a local funeral home, who is starting his fourth term in office. Hunt recently attracted attention by casting the tie-breaking vote against an ordinance considered by the council, which would have banned the use of tobaccoTobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
in public places. (The region around Cave City is one of the largest tobacco-producing areas in the world.)