Hyden, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hyden, Kentucky
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City
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Main Street
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| Nickname(s):
Redbud Capital of the World
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Location of Hyden, Kentucky
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Leslie |
| Incorporated | March 18, 1882 |
| Government | |
| • Type | City Commission |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.34 sq mi (3.46 km2) |
| • Land | 1.30 sq mi (3.36 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) |
| Elevation | 922 ft (281 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 303 |
| • Density | 233.80/sq mi (90.27/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
41749, 41762
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| Area code(s) | 606 |
| FIPS code | 21-38908 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0512880 |
Hyden is a city in Kentucky, and it's the main town (called the county seat) of Leslie County. In 2010, about 365 people lived there. You can find Hyden where two main roads, U.S. Route 421 and Kentucky Route 80, meet. It's located right by the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River.
Contents
History of Hyden
People first started settling in the Hyden area around 1800. The Sizemore family, who were part Native American and part Anglo, moved there from North Carolina. They lived in a "rock house" near a creek that was later named Rockhouse Creek.
The town of Hyden was officially started in 1878 and became an incorporated city in 1882. It was named after John Hyden, who was a state senator. He helped create Leslie County. The mountains around Hyden made it hard to get to, which slowed down its growth for a while.
In 1939, the Frontier Nursing University opened in Hyden. This school helps train nurses, especially those who work in rural areas.
Hyden gained national attention in 1970 because of a mining accident. This event, called the Hurricane Creek mine disaster, happened about 5 miles (8 km) southeast of the city.
In 1978, Richard Nixon visited Hyden. He gave his first public speech there since he resigned as president during the Watergate scandal. He chose Hyden because the local leader, C. Allen Muncy, invited him to dedicate a new recreation center.
Geography and Location
Hyden is in the northern part of Leslie County. It sits in the valley of the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River. Most of the city is on the west side of the river, where Rockhouse Creek joins it.
Two important roads, U.S. Route 421 and Kentucky Route 80, run through Hyden. They form the city's Main Street. From Hyden, US 421 goes south over Pine Mountain to Harlan. KY 80 goes northeast to Combs, which is near Hazard.
Kentucky Route 118, also known as Tim Couch Pass, is a three-lane highway that goes northwest from Hyden to the Hal Rogers Parkway. Kentucky Route 257 (Dryhill Road) is a local road that goes north along the Middle Fork valley.
The United States Census Bureau says Hyden covers about 1.34 square miles (3.5 square kilometers). A small part of this area, about 0.04 square miles (0.1 square kilometers), is water.
Climate in Hyden
Hyden has a climate with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 80 | — | |
| 1900 | 269 | 236.3% | |
| 1910 | 316 | 17.5% | |
| 1920 | 313 | −0.9% | |
| 1950 | 647 | — | |
| 1960 | 348 | −46.2% | |
| 1970 | 482 | 38.5% | |
| 1980 | 488 | 1.2% | |
| 1990 | 375 | −23.2% | |
| 2000 | 204 | −45.6% | |
| 2010 | 365 | 78.9% | |
| 2020 | 303 | −17.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the census from 2000, there were 204 people living in Hyden. There were 95 households and 58 families. The population density was about 256 people per square mile (99 people per square kilometer).
Most of the people living in Hyden were White (99.51%). About 0.49% were Native American. About 0.98% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of age, about 15.7% of the population was under 18 years old. About 25.5% were 65 years or older. The average age in Hyden was 48 years.
The median income for a household in Hyden was $26,429. For families, the median income was $32,500. About 10.5% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Education
Hyden has a lending library called the Leslie County Public Library. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.
Famous People from Hyden
Many interesting people have connections to Hyden:
- Leila Feltner Begley – She was the secretary of state of Kentucky from 1970 to 1971.
- Mary Carson Breckinridge – She started the first school in the U.S. for nurse midwives. She also worked to improve public health in rural areas.
- Tim Couch – A well-known NFL quarterback.
- John Hensley – An actor.
- Ken Keen – A lieutenant general in the military.
- C. Wesley Morgan – A businessman and Kentucky state legislator.
- The Osborne Brothers – Famous bluegrass musicians.
- Betty Jean Robinson – A gospel singer.
- Willie Sandlin – A soldier who received the Medal of Honor during World War I.
See also
In Spanish: Hyden (Kentucky) para niños
