Ravenna, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ravenna, Kentucky
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Businesses along Main Street (KY 52)
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Location of Ravenna in Estill County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Estill |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2) |
| • Land | 0.31 sq mi (0.81 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 636 ft (194 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 568 |
| • Density | 1,826.37/sq mi (704.13/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
40472
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| Area code(s) | 606 |
| FIPS code | 21-64092 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0514849 |
Ravenna is a small city in Estill County, Kentucky, United States. It's known as a "home rule-class city," which means it has the power to govern itself within state laws. In 2020, about 568 people lived there. Ravenna is located in the beautiful valley of the Kentucky River.
Contents
History of Ravenna
Even before it was officially a city, Ravenna was called "The Village." Records from 1820 already show a town named "Ravenna" in Estill County.
How Ravenna Got Its Name
The Louisville & Nashville Railroad played a big part in naming Ravenna. The railroad built shops, a yard, an office building, and stations here. This was to create a railroad hub in Estill County, just east of Irvine, Kentucky, the county seat.
After the railroad terminal was finished in 1915, the county decided to name the area "Ravenna." This name comes from the word "ravine," which is a deep, narrow valley. It's also said that an Italian foreman, who was working with about 60 Italian construction workers, asked railroad officials to name the station after his hometown, Ravenna, Italy. The railroad officials agreed to his request.
Growth and City Status
A busy village quickly grew in 1915 when the railroad began building its facilities. Just five years later, in 1920, Ravenna officially became a city. The Estill County Circuit Court recognized it as a 6th-class city.
By 1924, Ravenna's population had grown. Because of this, the Kentucky State Legislature declared it a 5th-class city. This new status meant Ravenna could have its own mayor, six council members, a city clerk, and even fire and police departments.
Community and Memorials
Ravenna is home to the local VFW Post #8019. It also has a National Guard armory. This armory is where C Company, 1–149th Infantry (M), 149th BDE is based. You can also find the Estill County Veterans Memorial in Ravenna's Veterans Memorial Park.
The Ravenna Tile Gift
After a terrible tornado hit Ravenna, Kentucky, on June 9, 1961, the Italian city of Ravenna wanted to show its support. They donated a special glazed tile to Ravenna, Kentucky. This tile is a copy of an old mosaic from the Basilica of San Vitale in Italy. The mosaic shows Roman Emperor Justinian I with Maximianus, who was the Bishop of Ravenna. Today, you can see this unique tile displayed at the city hall.
Geography and Climate
Ravenna is located almost in the very center of Estill County. It sits in the valley of the Kentucky River. The city of Irvine, Kentucky, which is the county seat, borders Ravenna to the northwest.
Kentucky Route 52 runs through Ravenna. It is known as Main Street and Third Street in the city. This road goes east and southeast for about 24 miles to Beattyville, Kentucky. It also goes west for about 20 miles to Richmond, Kentucky.
The United States Census Bureau reports that Ravenna covers a total area of about 0.8 square kilometers (0.31 square miles). All of this area is land.
Understanding Ravenna's Climate
Ravenna has a climate known as a humid subtropical climate. This means the area experiences hot and humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool. This type of climate is often shown as "Cfa" on climate maps.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 1,189 | — | |
| 1940 | 1,098 | −7.7% | |
| 1950 | 979 | −10.8% | |
| 1960 | 921 | −5.9% | |
| 1970 | 784 | −14.9% | |
| 1980 | 793 | 1.1% | |
| 1990 | 804 | 1.4% | |
| 2000 | 693 | −13.8% | |
| 2010 | 605 | −12.7% | |
| 2020 | 568 | −6.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, a census showed that 693 people lived in Ravenna. There were 301 households and 207 families. The population density was about 1,873 people per square mile. Most of the people living in Ravenna were White (97.55%).
About 25.9% of households had children under 18 living with them. Many households (50.8%) were married couples living together. The average household had 2.30 people, and the average family had 2.80 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 20.5% were under 18 years old. About 17.9% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 39 years.
The median income for a household in Ravenna was $30,583. For a family, the median income was $33,438. The per capita income for the city was $14,089. About 17.6% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 21.5% of those under 18.
Famous People from Ravenna
- Kevin Richardson, a member of the famous music group the Backstreet Boys, attended and graduated from Ravenna Elementary School.
See also
In Spanish: Ravenna (Kentucky) para niños
