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Sandy Hook, Kentucky
Elliott County courthouse in Sandy Hook
Elliott County courthouse in Sandy Hook
Location of Sandy Hook in Elliott County, Kentucky.
Location of Sandy Hook in Elliott County, Kentucky.
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Elliott
Established March 4, 1850
Incorporated 1872
Reincorporated April 13, 1888
Reactivated 1930
Reactivated 1968
Government
 • Type Mayor-Council
Area
 • Total 0.98 sq mi (2.55 km2)
 • Land 0.98 sq mi (2.54 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
804 ft (245 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 641
 • Density 652.75/sq mi (252.03/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
41171
Area code(s) 606
FIPS code 21-68556
GNIS feature ID 2405416

Sandy Hook is a city in Elliott County, Kentucky, United States. It is located next to the Little Sandy River. In 2010, about 675 people lived there.

Sandy Hook is the main town, or "county seat," for Elliott County. It is known as a "dry county," which means selling alcohol is not allowed there. A prison called the Little Sandy Correctional Complex is about 6 miles (10 km) northeast of the city.

The History of Sandy Hook

How Sandy Hook Got Its Name

People first settled near the Little Sandy River in the 1820s. This area was important because it was as far as boats could travel up the river. By 1850, when the state government officially recognized it, the place was called "Sandy Hook." This name came from a part of the river that looked like a fishhook.

Becoming the County Seat

In 1869, Sandy Hook was chosen to be the county seat for the new Elliott County. This happened because a local resident, James Hunter, gave land for public buildings. In 1872, the city was officially named "Martinsburg." This was to honor a politician named John P. Martin.

However, there was already another town in Kentucky called Martinsburg. So, the post office that opened in 1874 had to use the name "Sandy Hook." Because of this, the city soon went back to its original name. It was officially renamed "Sandy Hook" in 1888.

Geography of Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook is located in the middle of Elliott County in eastern Kentucky. It sits at the point where boats can no longer travel up the Little Sandy River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers about 0.98 square miles (2.5 square kilometers) of land.

Roads and Travel

Kentucky Route 7 goes through the center of Sandy Hook. This road leads northeast about 22 miles (35 km) to Grayson. It also goes southwest about 18 miles (29 km) to West Liberty.

Kentucky Route 32 heads east from Sandy Hook about 39 miles (63 km) to Louisa. It also travels north out of Sandy Hook with KY 7. Eventually, it leads northwest about 27 miles (43 km) to Morehead.

Population of Sandy Hook

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 62
1880 83 33.9%
1890 151 81.9%
1900 148 −2.0%
1910 160 8.1%
1920 115 −28.1%
1930 155 34.8%
1940 184 18.7%
1950 238 29.3%
1960 195 −18.1%
1970 561 187.7%
1980 627 11.8%
1990 548 −12.6%
2000 678 23.7%
2010 675 −0.4%
2020 641 −5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the year 2000, there were 678 people living in Sandy Hook. These people lived in 292 households. About 167 of these households were families.

Most of the people in Sandy Hook were White (99.26%). A small number were African American (0.15%) or Native American (0.15%). Some people (0.44%) were from two or more races.

About 27.1% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.13 people. The average family had 2.90 people.

The population was spread out by age. About 23.5% were under 18 years old. About 25.2% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 42 years.

Education in Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook has a public library where people can borrow books. It is called the Rocky J. Adkins Public Library.

Notable Person from Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook is the hometown of the famous country music singer Keith Whitley. He is no longer alive. You can see a statue of Whitley playing his guitar in the local cemetery. One of the streets in Sandy Hook was also renamed "Keith Whitley Boulevard" in his honor.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Sandy Hook (Kentucky) para niños

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