Cumberland, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cumberland, Kentucky
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City
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Main Street downtown
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| Nickname(s):
Black Bear Capital of Kentucky
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Location of Cumberland in Harlan County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Harlan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.15 sq mi (8.15 km2) |
| • Land | 3.12 sq mi (8.07 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,444 ft (440 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,947 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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1,845 |
| • Density | 625.04/sq mi (241.34/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
40823
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| Area code(s) | 606 |
| FIPS code | 21-19108 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0511673 |
Cumberland is a city located in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the United States. It's known as a "home rule-class city," which means it has the power to govern itself in local matters. In 2020, about 1,947 people lived here. The city is built where two creeks, Looney Creek and Poor Fork Cumberland River, meet.
Contents
History of Cumberland
Cumberland was first settled in 1837. Back then, it was called "Poor Fork." This name came from its location on a branch of the Cumberland River where the soil wasn't very rich for farming. For a long time, the town was quite isolated.
However, things changed a lot in the 1900s when coal mining became very important. Railroads were built, connecting Poor Fork to other towns. This helped the town grow. In 1926, the town's name was officially changed to "Cumberland."
Coal Miners' Protest
In 2019, something important happened in Cumberland. A group of coal miners protested because their company, Blackjewel LLC, didn't pay them after going out of business. These miners blocked a coal train to show how serious the problem was. Many miners in Kentucky, Virginia, and Wyoming were affected. The protest ended after a few months because many miners found new jobs. However, they planned to keep fighting for their pay in court.
Geography of Cumberland
Cumberland is in the northeastern part of Harlan County. It sits in a valley where the Poor Fork of the Cumberland River meets Looney Creek and Cloverlick Creek. The city stretches north up to the top of Pine Mountain. This mountain also forms the border with Letcher County.
The land in Cumberland varies a lot. Along the Poor Fork, the elevation is about 1,400 feet (427 meters) above sea level. But on top of Pine Mountain, it reaches about 2,700 feet (823 meters).
Roads and Travel
U.S. Route 119 goes through Cumberland, passing just south of the city center. This road can take you northeast to Jenkins or southwest to Harlan, which is the main town in Harlan County. Kentucky Route 160 also runs through the middle of Cumberland. It goes southeast to Benham and then towards the Virginia border. If you go north on Route 160, you'll cross over Pine Mountain to Gordon.
The city of Cumberland covers a total area of about 3.1 square miles (8.1 square kilometers). A small part of this area, about 0.03 square miles (0.08 square kilometers), is water.
Cumberland's Climate
Cumberland has a climate with hot and humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Population of Cumberland
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 300 | — | |
| 1930 | 2,639 | 779.7% | |
| 1940 | 4,149 | 57.2% | |
| 1950 | 4,249 | 2.4% | |
| 1960 | 4,271 | 0.5% | |
| 1970 | 3,380 | −20.9% | |
| 1980 | 3,712 | 9.8% | |
| 1990 | 3,112 | −16.2% | |
| 2000 | 2,611 | −16.1% | |
| 2010 | 2,237 | −14.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,947 | −13.0% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 1,845 | −17.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 2,611 people living in Cumberland. The population has changed over the years, as shown in the table above. The city is home to people from many different backgrounds.
Families in Cumberland often have children living with them. The average household had about 2 to 3 people. The population includes people of all ages, from young children to seniors.
Education in Cumberland
Cumberland is an important place for learning in the region. It is home to the main campus of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College. This college is part of a larger system of colleges in Kentucky.
The city also has a lending library. It's a branch of the Harlan County Public Library, where people can borrow books and other materials.
Arts and Culture in Cumberland
Cumberland offers fun activities and places to visit.
Kingdom Come State Park
One of the most popular spots is Kingdom Come State Park. This park has a lake where you can go paddle boating. There's also a gift shop, places to camp, and even miniature golf. You can enjoy picnics, go hiking on trails, and see natural rock formations like Raven Rock and Log Rock. The park also has an amphitheatre for events. From two special overlooks, you can see amazing views of the Appalachian Mountains.
Local Festivals
Cumberland hosts two exciting annual festivals:
- Kingdom Come Swappin' Meetin: This festival celebrates the history and folklore of the Appalachian region. You can see live demonstrations of old Appalachian traditions and crafts. It takes place at the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College campus.
- Black Bear Festival: This newer festival honors the black bears that are often seen at Kingdom Come State Park. It's a fun way to celebrate these popular animals.
See also
In Spanish: Cumberland (Kentucky) para niños
