West Liberty, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Liberty, Kentucky
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Downtown West Liberty, 2007
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Location in Morgan County, Kentucky
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Morgan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.94 sq mi (12.79 km2) |
| • Land | 4.90 sq mi (12.70 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 817 ft (249 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,215 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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3,434 |
| • Density | 655.59/sq mi (253.12/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
41472
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| Area code(s) | 606 |
| FIPS code | 21-81858 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0516279 |
West Liberty is a city in Morgan County, Kentucky, United States. It is the main town and county seat of Morgan County. This means it's where the county government offices are located.
In 2020, about 3,215 people lived in West Liberty. The city is located along the Licking River. It sits where two important roads, Kentucky Route 7 and U.S. Route 460, meet.
Contents
History of West Liberty
Early Settlement and Name
Around 1816, the area where West Liberty now stands was known as "Wells Mills." When Morgan County was created in 1823, Wells Mills became the county seat. It was then officially named "West Liberty." People thought that another town, Pikeville, Kentucky, would be called "Liberty." However, West Liberty is actually about 100 miles (160 km) east of Liberty, Kentucky.
Civil War and Rebuilding
During the American Civil War, three small battles happened near West Liberty. A large part of the town was burned down during the war, including the courthouse. After the war, a new courthouse was built. A fourth courthouse was built in 1907.
The 2012 Tornado
On March 2, 2012, a very strong tornado hit West Liberty. It was an EF-3 tornado, which means it had very high winds. The tornado caused a lot of damage to the downtown area. Many homes and businesses were badly damaged or completely destroyed.
Sadly, six people died, and at least 75 people were hurt. This tornado was over a mile wide in some places. It traveled a long distance, about 85 miles (137 km), from Menifee County to West Virginia. It was the longest-lasting tornado in the United States that year.
The old courthouse from 1907 and a new courthouse that was still being built were both damaged. But both buildings were later repaired and finished. The tornado also hit the city of Wellington and was near another strong tornado that hit Salyersville. These tornadoes were some of the worst in the history of these towns.
West Liberty's Restoration
Since the 2012 tornado, West Liberty has made great progress. Many buildings that were destroyed have been rebuilt. Some were restored to how they looked before, while others were replaced with new structures. The town has been continuously planning for its future since the disaster.
Geography of West Liberty
West Liberty is located in the middle of Morgan County. It's in the eastern part of Kentucky, among the foothills. The city is about 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Cave Run Lake and the Daniel Boone National Forest. It's also about the same distance west of Paintsville Lake.
U.S. Route 460 goes through the center of West Liberty. This road leads west to Frenchburg, Kentucky and southeast to Salyersville, Kentucky. Kentucky Route 7 also passes through West Liberty. It joins US 460 towards Salyersville but turns north in the city center, leading to Sandy Hook, Kentucky.
West Liberty covers an area of about 4.94 square miles (12.8 km²). A small part of this area is water. The Licking River flows through the city, just west of downtown. It flows northwest and eventually joins the Ohio River.
Population of West Liberty
West Liberty has grown quite a bit over the years. Here's how its population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 142 | — | |
| 1880 | 225 | 58.5% | |
| 1890 | 234 | 4.0% | |
| 1900 | 205 | −12.4% | |
| 1910 | 442 | 115.6% | |
| 1920 | 461 | 4.3% | |
| 1930 | 569 | 23.4% | |
| 1940 | 573 | 0.7% | |
| 1950 | 931 | 62.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,165 | 25.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,387 | 19.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,381 | −0.4% | |
| 1990 | 1,887 | 36.6% | |
| 2000 | 3,277 | 73.7% | |
| 2010 | 3,435 | 4.8% | |
| 2020 | 3,215 | −6.4% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 3,434 | 0.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population increased a lot after 1990. This was mainly because the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex opened. This brought more people to live and work in the area.
Economy of West Liberty
West Liberty is home to the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. This is a large facility that provides many jobs in the area.
The town also has extended campuses for two universities: Morehead State University and the University of Kentucky's Regional Technology Center. These offer educational opportunities for local students.
Another important business is Rod and Staff Publishing. This company, run by Mennonites, prints Bible literature. It is located in a nearby area called Crockett.
Education in West Liberty
Morgan County has several schools for students. There are four elementary schools: Ezel, East Valley, Morgan Central, and Wrigley Elementary. For older students, there is Morgan County Middle School and Morgan County High School.
West Liberty also has a lending library. It is a branch of the Montgomery County Public Library.
Arts and Culture in West Liberty
West Liberty hosts two popular annual festivals that celebrate local culture.
Sorghum Festival
The annual Sorghum Festival takes place on the last full weekend of September. In 2015, it celebrated its 45th year. Up to 50,000 visitors are expected to attend this event.
The festival features many traditional Appalachian crafts, folk art, and food. You can find unique items for sale and display. The entire downtown area is closed off, with Main Street as the main hub of activity. The festival also includes two Civil War reenactments. These exciting shows take place at the soccer field.
Bluegrass Festival
The Bluegrass Festival started in 1996. It showcases talented local and regional bluegrass music groups. This festival is held at Old Mill Park. Visitors can enjoy a variety of food and browse booths from local vendors.
See also
In Spanish: West Liberty (Kentucky) para niños
