Camp Breckinridge
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Morganfield | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Union |
| Established | 1812 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Home rule-class city |
| Area | |
• Total | Template:Infobox settlement/areadisp |
| • Land | Template:Infobox settlement/areadisp |
| • Water | Template:Infobox settlement/areadisp |
| Population (2010) | |
• Total | 3,285 |
| • Density | Template:Infobox settlement/densdisp |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
Morganfield is a home rule-class city situated in Union County, Kentucky, United States, and functions as the county seat. According to the 2010 U.S. census, its population was recorded at 3,285.
Name
The city derives its name from Revolutionary War General Daniel Morgan, who was granted land in recognition of his military service. Morganfield subsequently emerged on this granted territory.
Geography
Morganfield lies at . The United States Census Bureau reports that the city encompasses a total area of 2.1 square miles (5.5 km2), of which 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2)—approximately 1.42%—is covered by water.
Demographics
Based on data from the 2000 census, Morganfield had a population of 3,494 residents, with a population density of , along with 1,581 housing units averaging a density of . The racial composition was primarily White (82.34%) and African American (16.23%), with minor representations from Native American, Asian, other races, and individuals identifying with two or more races. Those identifying as Hispanic or Latino comprised 0.86% of the population.
There were 1,434 households in total: 28.0% included children under the age of 18, married couples accounted for 47.6%, and female householders without a husband present made up 14.1%. Non-family households represented 35.4%. Individuals living alone constituted 32.4% of households, with 15.1% being seniors aged 65 or older living independently. The average household size was calculated at 2.37 persons, while the average family size was 3.01.
The median age was identified as 39 years, with a fairly balanced distribution across different age groups both below and beyond working age. The gender ratio indicated roughly 85 males for every 100 females.
Median income figures showed households earning $38,676 and families $52,864 on average. Median earnings for males were $32,831 compared to $22,736 for females. Per capita income stood at $19,251, with approximately 9.9% of families and 12.3% of the overall population living below the poverty threshold—including elevated rates among individuals under age 18 (19.2%) and those over age 65 (15.1%).
Notable people
- Nancy Huston Banks, author and journalist
- Dwane Casey – Professional basketball coach, formerly head coach for NBA teams including the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Toronto Raptors
- Earle Clements – Former U.S. Senator, Governor of Kentucky, and U.S. Representative
- Kassie DePaiva – Actress recognized for her roles on Guiding Light, One Life to Live, and General Hospital
- Mallory Ervin – Crowned Miss Kentucky in 2009 and placed fourth runner-up at Miss America 2010
- Ed Johnson – Former professional baseball athlete
- Larry Johnson – Retired basketball player
- Jerry Wayne Parrish – Ex-U.S. Army corporal who defected to North Korea; passed away in Pyongyang in 1998
- Dottie Rambo – Gospel music singer and songwriter
- John Selby Townsend – Jurist and legislator from Iowa
- Thomas Lyle Williams – Entrepreneur and founder of the cosmetics brand Maybelline
Camp Breckinridge
Located near Morganfield is Camp Breckinridge, a World War II-era infantry division training facility and prisoner-of-war camp covering an area of 36,070 acres. The camp accommodated over 40,000 troops preparing for wartime deployment as well as roughly 3,000 German POWs before its closure in 1949. During the Korean War period, it functioned as the headquarters for the 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division and served as a training site for new Army recruits.
In 2007, families displaced by activities related to the camp sought additional compensation from the federal government concerning their properties; former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed to mediate these claims.
The site underwent refurbishment and reopened in 1965 as the "Breckinridge Job Corps Center." In 1980, it was renamed the "Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center" to honor the former Kentucky governor and senator.
Education
Union County Public Schools provide educational services to Morganfield. Children in elementary grades attend Morganfield Elementary School, while those in middle and high school go to Union County Middle School and Union County High School, both located outside the city limits. Additionally, Morganfield is home to the John Paul II parochial school as well as the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Center.
The city maintains a branch of the Union County Public Library for public use.
Climate
Morganfield experiences a humid subtropical climate, classified as "Cfa" according to the Köppen climate classification, characterized by hot and humid summers alongside generally mild to cool winter seasons.