Central City, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Central City is a city in Muhlenberg County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population was 5,893 at the 2000 census. It is also the largest city in the county and the principal community in the Central City Micropolitan Statistical Area which includes all of Muhlenberg County and the communities within it. The city grew up around a junction of old wagon trails that went north and south. These trails soon become roads and with roads, railroads came as well. The city once had a full-fledged working train yard, complete with a Roundhouse
and coal tipple. The city's elevated rail station (formally the ICRR) was in downtown and had passenger service between Paducah
& Louisville
. The city's street level rail station (formally the L&N) carried passengers toward Owensboro, KY to the north, and Russellville, KY towards the south. As time went by, the railroads were more focused on freight carriage, not passenger, and so Central City's importance along the rail lines lessened. The city still resides alongside the Mainline for Paducah and Louisville Railway
, but also sits along a trunk-line for CSX Transportation
. The trunk-line brings trains in from Wyoming and the mainline yard in Madisonville
to the Paradise Fossil Plant just minutes south of the city along the Green River. Many longtime residents say that "As the coal industry goes, so goes Central City!" The two factors that played into the growth of Central City were the coal mines and the railroad.
Central City is the only city in Muhlenberg County that allows liquor to be sold by package stores and by the drink in restaurants seating at least 100 persons. Muhlenberg County is "Dry".
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all land.
Terrain in Central City is rolling hills to steep bluffs along the northern boundaries of the city along the Green River
. The city, along its northwestern border, is known for its swamps and lowland area that remain at or near the water table year-round.
Most of Central City has a sandstone
bedrock with #9 bituminous coal
underlying the bedrock. Central City has a number of old underground coal mine shafts that still crisscross the city. Most of these old shafts date back to the early 1900s. The majority of terrain around the city limits is reclaimed land where surface mining
has taken place.
of 2000, there were 5,893 people, 2,065 households, and 1,410 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,126.2 people per square mile (435.0/km2). There were 2,313 housing units at an average density of 442.0 per square mile (170.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.07% White, 10.67% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races
, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 2,065 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 116.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,371, and the median income for a family was $32,959. Males had a median income of $29,284 versus $18,265 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,637. About 18.4% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.
Central City is also home to the Muhlenberg Campus of Madisonville Community College
, completed in 2001.
Weekend 1988, Central City began hosting The Everly Brothers
Homecoming event to raise money for a scholarship fund for Muhlenberg County
students. The Homecoming became a popular annual event for fourteen years, before ending in 2002.
Not to be discouraged, the citizens reformed the event as a weekend long cruise-in and car show that is still held annually on Labor Day
Weekend.
is a paved trail following an old Paducah and Louisville railway route between Central City and Greenville
that is open to pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle traffic. Kentucky's most extensive rail trail conversion to date, the Muhlenberg Rail Trail opened October 20, 2000 and was named "Trail of the Month" by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in May 2004. A viewing platform and birding guide are available where the trail passes through a local wetland. The Muhlenberg County Rails to Trails Committee has railbanked an additional 3 miles of abandoned rail, possibly for a later extension into McLean County
.
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Muhlenberg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 31,499. The county is named for Peter Muhlenberg. Its county seat is Greenville....
, 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 5,893 at the 2000 census. It is also the largest city in the county and the principal community in the Central City Micropolitan Statistical Area which includes all of Muhlenberg County and the communities within it. The city grew up around a junction of old wagon trails that went north and south. These trails soon become roads and with roads, railroads came as well. The city once had a full-fledged working train yard, complete with a Roundhouse
Roundhouse
A roundhouse is a building used by railroads for servicing locomotives. Roundhouses are large, circular or semicircular structures that were traditionally located surrounding or adjacent to turntables...
and coal tipple. The city's elevated rail station (formally the ICRR) was in downtown and had passenger service between Paducah
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is the largest city in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase Region and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, halfway between the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Missouri, to the west and Nashville,...
& Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. The city's street level rail station (formally the L&N) carried passengers toward Owensboro, KY to the north, and Russellville, KY towards the south. As time went by, the railroads were more focused on freight carriage, not passenger, and so Central City's importance along the rail lines lessened. The city still resides alongside the Mainline for Paducah and Louisville Railway
Paducah and Louisville Railway
The Paducah & Louisville Railway is a Class II railroad that operates freight service between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky.The 270-mile line was purchased from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in August, 1986. The 223-mile main route runs between Paducah and Louisville with a branch line from...
, but also sits along a trunk-line for CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
. The trunk-line brings trains in from Wyoming and the mainline yard in Madisonville
Madisonville, Kentucky
Madisonville is a city in Hopkins County, Kentucky, United States of the Western Coal Field region, located along US 41 and The Pennyrile Parkway. The population was 19,307 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Hopkins County. The city was named in honor of U.S...
to the Paradise Fossil Plant just minutes south of the city along the Green River. Many longtime residents say that "As the coal industry goes, so goes Central City!" The two factors that played into the growth of Central City were the coal mines and the railroad.
Central City is the only city in Muhlenberg County that allows liquor to be sold by package stores and by the drink in restaurants seating at least 100 persons. Muhlenberg County is "Dry".
Geography
Central City is located at 37.294989°N 87.128622°W (37.294989, -87.128622).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 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all land.
Terrain in Central City is rolling hills to steep bluffs along the northern boundaries of the city along the Green River
Green River (Kentucky)
The Green River is a tributary of the Ohio River that rises in Lincoln County in south-central Kentucky. Tributaries of the Green River include the Barren River, the Nolin River, the Pond River and the Rough River...
. The city, along its northwestern border, is known for its swamps and lowland area that remain at or near the water table year-round.
Most of Central City has a sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
bedrock with #9 bituminous coal
Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal or black coal is a relatively soft coal containing a tarlike substance called bitumen. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than Anthracite...
underlying the bedrock. Central City has a number of old underground coal mine shafts that still crisscross the city. Most of these old shafts date back to the early 1900s. The majority of terrain around the city limits is reclaimed land where surface mining
Surface mining
Surface mining , is a type of mining in which soil and rock overlying the mineral deposit are removed...
has taken place.
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 5,893 people, 2,065 households, and 1,410 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 1,126.2 people per square mile (435.0/km2). There were 2,313 housing units at an average density of 442.0 per square mile (170.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.07% White, 10.67% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.41% 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 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 2,065 households out of which 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% 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, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 116.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,371, and the median income for a family was $32,959. Males had a median income of $29,284 versus $18,265 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 $12,637. About 18.4% of families and 20.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Central City is home to Central City Elementary School (formerly Central City High School). Central City Elementary School is a feeder school for Muhlenberg North Middle School which, in turn, feeds Muhlenberg High School.Central City is also home to the Muhlenberg Campus of Madisonville Community College
Madisonville Community College
Madisonville Community College , located in Madisonville, KY, is one of 16 two-year, open-admissions colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System . MCC was originally established as a member of the University of Kentucky's Community College System in 1968...
, completed in 2001.
Media
- WMTA AM 1380, founded 1955
- WNES AM, founded in 1955, owned by the Andy Anderson Corporation which founded the station.
- WQXQ FM 101.9, 100,000 watt station, owned and operated by Andy Anderson Corporation, licensed to Central City where the main studio is, tower and transmitter located in Pleasant Ridge, (Daviess CountyDaviess County, KentuckyAs of the census of 2000, there were 91,545 people, 36,033 households, and 24,826 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 38,432 housing units at an average density of...
), KentuckyKentuckyThe 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...
. - A number of regional radio stations have Radio repeaterRadio repeaterA radio repeater is a combination of a radio receiver and a radio transmitter that receives a weak or low-level signal and retransmits it at a higher level or higher power, so that the signal can cover longer distances without degradation. This article refers to professional, commercial, and...
's located in Central City. Two are currently active while a third is under consideration. - Leader-News, weekly newspaper founded in Greenville Leader, moved to Central City in the 60's and became the "Greenville Leader-Central City News", owned and published by the Andy Anderson Corporation.
- Times Argus, formerly the Messenger Times Argus, founded in 1909, published weekly.
Economy
Major employers in Central City include:- Brewco
- Brewer, Inc.
- Green River Correctional ComplexGreen River Correctional ComplexGreen River Correctional Complex is a state prison located near Central City, Kentucky. It opened in 1994 and had a prison population of 982 as of 2007....
- Kentucky UtilitiesKentucky UtilitiesKentucky Utilities is based in Lexington, Kentucky and provides electricity to 77 counties in Kentucky. KU also serves five counties in Virginia under the name Old Dominion Power. It is owned by LG&E and KU Energy, LLC, which, in turn, is owned by PPL Corporation.-History:Kentucky Utilities was...
Green River Generating Station - Armstrong Coal Company Parkway Mine
- KenAmerican Paradise Underground Mine
- Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
Supercenter - Central City Elementary School
Everly Brothers Homecoming / Labor Day Cruise-In
On Labor DayLabor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
Weekend 1988, Central City began hosting The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
Homecoming event to raise money for a scholarship fund for Muhlenberg County
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Muhlenberg County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 31,499. The county is named for Peter Muhlenberg. Its county seat is Greenville....
students. The Homecoming became a popular annual event for fourteen years, before ending in 2002.
Not to be discouraged, the citizens reformed the event as a weekend long cruise-in and car show that is still held annually on Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
Weekend.
Kentucky Women's Hall of Fame, Inc.
Sponsored by the Central City Business & Professional Women's Club, the Hall of Fame is located inside the Central City Public Library, 108 E. Broad Street and features a portrait and memorabilia gallery which includes former Governor Martha Layne Collins, Country & Western music giant Loretta Lynn, and local author, editorialist, historian, war correspondent for the Service Star and noted cultivator of roses Agnes S. Harralson. Central City Library hours are Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9 am - 7 pm; Wednesday & Friday 9 am - 5 pm ; Saturday 9 am - 1 pm. www.mcplib.org for more info; Central City BPW meets the second Tuesday of each month in the library meeting room at 6:00 pm - visitors are welcome.Muhlenberg County Rail Trail
The Muhlenberg County Rail TrailRail trail
A rail trail is the conversion of a disused railway easement into a multi-use path, typically for walking, cycling and sometimes horse riding. The characteristics of former tracks—flat, long, frequently running through historical areas—are appealing for various development. The term sometimes also...
is a paved trail following an old Paducah and Louisville railway route between Central City and Greenville
Greenville, Kentucky
Greenville is a city in and the county seat of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, United States. It is named for Revolutionary War General Nathan Greene...
that is open to pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle traffic. Kentucky's most extensive rail trail conversion to date, the Muhlenberg Rail Trail opened October 20, 2000 and was named "Trail of the Month" by the Rails to Trails Conservancy in May 2004. A viewing platform and birding guide are available where the trail passes through a local wetland. The Muhlenberg County Rails to Trails Committee has railbanked an additional 3 miles of abandoned rail, possibly for a later extension into McLean County
McLean County, Kentucky
McLean County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky; its population was 9,938 in the 2000 Census. McLean County's county seat is at Calhoun....
.
Notable natives
- Don Everly, of The Everly BrothersThe Everly BrothersThe Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
, famous early rock and roll performers from the late 1950s. - Tom Christerson, the second-ever recipient of an artificial heartArtificial heartAn artificial heart is a mechanical device that replaces the heart. Artificial hearts are typically used in order to bridge the time to heart transplantation, or to permanently replace the heart in case transplantation is impossible...
transplant - Patrick Sparks, former University of KentuckyUniversity of KentuckyThe University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
basketball player - Jade Perry, 2006 National Championship winner University of MarylandUniversity of MarylandWhen the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
- Thomas Eades, 2010 NCAA Final Four Game Basketball Official
- Musician Jim Walker (musician), world-renowned flute soloist—orchestral and film soundtracks.