Mayfield, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mayfield, Kentucky
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Graves County Courthouse and Confederate monument in 2018. The courthouse was severely damaged by the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado on December 10, 2021, and was demolished in 2022.
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Location within Graves County and Kentucky
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| Country | United States | ||||
| State | Kentucky | ||||
| County | Graves | ||||
| Established | 1824 | ||||
| Incorporated | 1846 | ||||
| Named for | Mayfield Creek | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 7.38 sq mi (19.11 km2) | ||||
| • Land | 7.35 sq mi (19.03 km2) | ||||
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2) | ||||
| Elevation | 476 ft (145 m) | ||||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,017 | ||||
| • Estimate
(2022)
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9,894 | ||||
| • Density | 1,363.60/sq mi (526.50/km2) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | ||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||||
| ZIP code |
42066
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| Area code | 270 & 364 | ||||
| FIPS code | 21-50898 | ||||
| GNIS ID | 497715 | ||||
Mayfield is a city in Kentucky, United States. It is the main city and county seat of Graves County. In 2024, about 9,623 people lived there.
Contents
A Look Back: Mayfield's History
Mayfield is located in an area called the Jackson Purchase. This land was bought from the Chickasaw people in 1818. Mayfield became the main town for Graves County in 1821.
The first settler, John Anderson, arrived in 1819. He built a log home near Mayfield Creek. The town and the creek are named after a gambler named Mayfield. He was kidnapped around 1817 and carved his name into a tree in the area. He later drowned in the creek while trying to escape.
In 1858, a railroad was finished, connecting Mayfield to other places. For about 100 years, making clothes was the main industry, starting with the Mayfield Woolen Mills in 1860. The town was also a big market for tobacco.
Mayfield During the Civil War
During the Civil War, many people in the Jackson Purchase, including Mayfield, supported the Confederate side. In 1861, a group met in Mayfield. They talked about joining the Jackson Purchase with West Tennessee. Records from that time show they were against President Abraham Lincoln and supported the South.
After the war, people in Mayfield continued to support the Democratic Party. During the Civil Rights Movement, schools in Mayfield were slow to integrate. However, they did so peacefully. In 1956, ten Black students from Dunbar High School, known as the "Mayfield Ten", were allowed to attend the all-white Mayfield High School.
In 2016, a strong tornado passed near Mayfield. Ten people were injured.
Mayfield's Weather and Climate
Mayfield has hot, humid summers. Winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate.
Mayfield's Location and Surroundings
Mayfield covers about 7.38 square miles (19.11 square kilometers) of land. Only a very small part is water.
The Purchase Parkway (which will become part of Interstate 69) goes around the northwest side of Mayfield. This road connects Mayfield to Interstate 24 and other towns like Fulton and Paducah.
Who Lives in Mayfield?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 44 | — | |
| 1860 | 556 | — | |
| 1870 | 779 | 40.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,839 | 136.1% | |
| 1890 | 2,909 | 58.2% | |
| 1900 | 4,081 | 40.3% | |
| 1910 | 5,916 | 45.0% | |
| 1920 | 6,583 | 11.3% | |
| 1930 | 8,177 | 24.2% | |
| 1940 | 8,619 | 5.4% | |
| 1950 | 8,990 | 4.3% | |
| 1960 | 10,762 | 19.7% | |
| 1970 | 10,724 | −0.4% | |
| 1980 | 10,705 | −0.2% | |
| 1990 | 9,935 | −7.2% | |
| 2000 | 10,349 | 4.2% | |
| 2010 | 10,024 | −3.1% | |
| 2020 | 10,017 | −0.1% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 9,894 | −1.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, there were 10,017 people living in Mayfield. Most residents are White, with a significant number of Hispanic or Latino and Black or African American people also living in the city.
Art, Culture, and Fun in Mayfield
The Wooldridge Monuments
Mayfield is home to the Wooldridge Monuments. These are a group of unique statues in Maplewood Cemetery. Colonel Henry G. Wooldridge built them from 1892 until his death in 1899. They honor his family and loved ones. People sometimes call them "The Strange Procession That Never Moves."
Sports History
Mayfield had minor league baseball teams in the past. These included the Mayfield Pantsmakers and the Mayfield Clothiers. The Clothiers were important because in 1952, they were the first team in their league to have an African-American player, Mickey Stubblefield, who was from Mayfield.
Learning and Schools in Mayfield
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The Mayfield Independent City School District started in 1908.
Mayfield High School is famous for its football team, the "Cardinals." They have won 13 state championships and are one of the top teams nationally for all-time wins.
Graves County High School, whose mascot is the "Eagles," has a very successful Co-Ed Cheerleading Team. They have won many national and state championships.
Mayfield also has a lending library, the Graves County Public Library.
Mayfield in the News
Mayfield has its own newspaper, the Mayfield Messenger, which comes out three times a week. There are also local radio stations like WLLE, WNGO, and WYMC.
Famous People from Mayfield
Many notable people have come from Mayfield, including:
- Lucien Anderson, a former United States representative.
- David Boaz, a political thinker.
- Betsy Cook, a singer and songwriter.
- Randy Galloway, a sports journalist.
- Helen LaFrance, an artist.
- Bobbie Ann Mason, an author.
- Kevin Skinner, a musician and winner of America's Got Talent.
- Chuck Taylor, a professional wrestler.
- Ellis Wilson, an artist.
See also
In Spanish: Mayfield (Kentucky) para niños
