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 town, or county seat, of Graves County. In 2020, about 10,017 people lived there.
Contents
A Look Back at Mayfield's History
Early Days and How Mayfield Got Its Name
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 town's name comes from Mayfield Creek. A story says that a man named Mayfield carved his name into a tree near the creek. He was trying to escape after being kidnapped. Sadly, he drowned in the creek while trying to get away. The creek, and later the town, were named after him.
Growth and Industry in the 1800s
In 1858, a railroad was finished, connecting Mayfield to other places. This helped the town grow. For about 100 years, making clothes was a big industry here, starting with the Mayfield Woolen Mills in 1860. Mayfield was also important for processing tobacco.
Mayfield During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, many people in the Mayfield area supported the Confederate side. In 1861, some people met at the Graves County Courthouse to talk about joining with West Tennessee. Many records from this time were lost in a courthouse fire in 1887.
The 1900s and Changes
In 1907, a judge remembered that a meeting in Mayfield had supported leaving the Union. A historical marker now shares this fact. However, other records from the time do not mention such a decision. Historians believe the people at the meeting thought Kentucky would eventually join the Confederacy anyway. They did speak out against President Abraham Lincoln and praised Kentucky's governor for not sending soldiers to fight against the South.
Working Towards Fairness and Equality
After the Civil War, there were difficult times for African Americans in the county. People worked hard for fairness and equal rights. During the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, schools in Mayfield slowly began to welcome all students, no matter their race. In 1956, ten black students from Dunbar High School were able to enroll at Mayfield High School, which had been all-white. This was an important step towards equality.
Mayfield in the 2000s
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On May 10, 2016, a strong tornado passed near Mayfield. It caused some injuries but did not hit the city directly.
The December 2021 Tornado
On December 10, 2021, a very powerful tornado hit Mayfield. It caused a lot of damage and destroyed much of the downtown area.
A candle factory, Mayfield Consumer Products, had its roof collapse. Many workers were inside. Eight people sadly lost their lives, and eight others were missing for a time. Some workers later raised concerns about being told they would be fired if they left before the tornado hit. The company has said these claims are not true.
Mayfield's Location and Surroundings
Where is Mayfield Located?
Mayfield covers about 7.38 square miles (19.11 square kilometers) of land. Only a tiny part of this area is water.
Roads and Travel
Interstate 69 goes around the northwest side of Mayfield. This highway helps people travel to other cities. For example, it goes northeast about 28 miles to Interstate 24 and southwest about 22 miles to Fulton. Other important roads like U.S. Route 45 and Kentucky Route 80 also connect Mayfield to nearby towns such as Paducah and Murray.
Mayfield's Weather
Mayfield has a type of weather called a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot and humid summers. The winters are usually cool.
Who Lives in Mayfield?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 9,805 | −2.2% | |
Mayfield's Population in 2020
In 2020, Mayfield had a population of 10,017 people. The average age was about 36 years old. About 27% of the residents were under 18, and 18% were 65 or older.
Most people in Mayfield live in urban areas, which are more developed parts of the city. A small number live in rural areas, which are more like the countryside.
There were over 4,000 households in Mayfield. Many of these were family households.
| Race | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,765 | 67.5% |
| Black or African American | 1,216 | 12.1% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 38 | 0.4% |
| Asian | 76 | 0.8% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0.0% |
| Some other race | 1,010 | 10.1% |
| Two or more races | 912 | 9.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 1,793 | 17.9% |
Population in 2000
In 2000, there were 10,349 people living in Mayfield. The city was home to many different groups of people. A notable change in recent years has been the arrival of many Amish residents who farm in the county.
Arts and Special Places
The Wooldridge Monuments
Mayfield has a special place called the Wooldridge Monuments. These are a group of unique statues found in Maplewood Cemetery. Colonel Henry G. Wooldridge had them built between 1892 and 1899. He wanted to remember his family and other loved ones. People sometimes call this collection "The Strange Procession That Never Moves" because of its unusual design.
Sports in Mayfield
Mayfield has a history with professional baseball! It was once home to several minor league teams. These included the Mayfield Pantsmakers, the Mayfield Clothiers, and the Mayfield Browns. They played in a league called the KITTY League.
An important moment happened in 1952. The Mayfield Clothiers were the first team in the KITTY League to have an African-American player. His name was Mickey Stubblefield, and he was a pitcher from Mayfield. This was a big step for sports and equality.
Learning and Libraries
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Mayfield has a school district called the Mayfield Independent City School District. It started in 1908.
There was once a university near Mayfield called Mid-Continent University. It closed in 2014.
For reading and learning, Mayfield has the Graves County Public Library. It's a great place to find books and information.
Local News and Radio
Mayfield has its own local newspaper, the Mayfield Messenger. It comes out three times a week.
You can also listen to local radio stations like WLLE, WNGO, and WYMC. While some of these stations are based in Mayfield, some also serve the nearby Paducah area.
Notable People
- Lucien Anderson, U.S. representative from Kentucky
- Lon Carter Barton, historian
- Lyon quintuplets, set of quintuplets
- David Boaz, libertarian political theorist and executive of the Cato Institute
- Andrew Boone, U.S. representative from Kentucky
- Billy Joe "Cornbread Red" Burge, billiards player
- Betsy Cook, singer, songwriter, musician
- Randy Galloway, sports journalist and Texas radio personality
- Rex Geveden, president and CEO of BWX Technologies.
- Tripp Gibson, Major League Baseball umpire
- Noble J. Gregory, U.S. representative from Kentucky
- W. Voris Gregory, U.S. representative from Kentucky
- Chet Holifield, U.S. representative from California
- Helen LaFrance, artist
- Bobbie Ann Mason, author
- Ersa Hines Poston, civil service and employment reformer
- Kent Robbins, songwriter
- Kevin Skinner, musician and America's Got Talent winner
- Robert Burns Smith, third governor of Montana
- Chuck Taylor, professional wrestler
- Martha Nelson Thomas, creator of "Doll Babies", later plagiarized as Cabbage Patch Kids
- Ellis Wilson, artist
See also
In Spanish: Mayfield (Kentucky) para niños
