McKee, Kentucky

McKee, Kentucky
City
Jackson County Courthouse in McKee
Jackson County Courthouse in McKee
Motto(s): 
Where the Mountains and the Bluegrass Blend
Location of McKee in Jackson County, Kentucky
Location of McKee in Jackson County, Kentucky
Coordinates: 37°25′49″N 83°59′37″W / 37.43028°N 83.99361°W / 37.43028; -83.99361
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
CountyJackson
IncorporatedApril 1, 1882
Named afterJudge George R. McKee
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorMichael Stidham
Area
[1]
 • Total
2.41 sq mi (6.23 km2)
 • Land2.41 sq mi (6.23 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,030 ft (314 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
803 Increase
 • Density333.75/sq mi (128.85/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
40447
Area code606
FIPS code21-49116
GNIS feature ID0513872

McKee is a home rule-class city in Jackson County, Kentucky, United States. It is the county seat and second-largest city in the county.[2] As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 803.[3]

History

The city was founded on April 1, 1882, and was named for Judge George R. McKee.[4] In 2019, the city held a vote regarding the sale of alcohol, which passed, making the city wet.[5]

Geography

McKee is located in the central part of Jackson County, within the Daniel Boone National Forest. U.S. Route 421 passes through the center of town, leading northwest 34 miles to Richmond and southeast 29 miles to Manchester. Kentucky Route 89 runs north from McKee 28 miles to Irvine and southwest 24 miles to Livingston, while Kentucky Route 290 leads south from McKee 9 miles to Annville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.33 square miles, of which 0.3 acres or 0.02%, are water.[3] The city sits in the valley of Pigeon Roost Creek, which joins Birch Lick Creek at the western end of the city to form Indian Creek, a southwest-flowing tributary of the Middle Fork of the Rockcastle River, part of the Cumberland River watershed.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
188088—
1900106—
191014637.7%
192017318.5%
19301909.8%
1960234—
19702559.0%
1980759197.6%
199087014.6%
20008780.9%
2010800−8.9%
20208030.4%
2021 (est.)8030.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
Main Street in downtown McKee

As of the 2020 census,[7] there were 803 people residing in the town. The racial makeup of the city was 97.65% White, 1.03% Black or African American, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population. The median age of residents was 40.9 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,061, and the median income for a family was $21,289. About 40% of the population were below the poverty line.

The median rental price in the city was $338 a month and the median house value was $107,000.

Economy

The Jackson County - McKee Industrial Development Authority assists with economic development efforts in the county. The authority manages several industrial parks within Jackson County, one of which is located in McKee.[8]

Arts and culture

A branch of the Jackson County Public Library is located in McKee.[9]

Annual events include:

  • Jackson County Fair and Homecoming, featuring 4-H craft exhibits, music entertainment, clogging, vendors, food trucks, and a parade.[10]
  • Sheltowee Trace Artisans Fair, a craft sale.[10]

Parks and recreation

Public parks include Bond Memorial Park, Jackson County Veterans Park, McKee City Park, and Jack Gabbard Park.[11]

Other recreation areas include McKee Reservoir,[11] Big Turtle Trail,[11] Daniel Boone National Forest,[12] and Mill Creek Wildlife Management Area.[11]

Education

History

In 1900, the Woman's Board of Domestic Missions of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) established a day school called the McKee Academy. They soon established a girls' dormitory nearby to accommodate students living too far away. A teachers' cottage accommodated the growing staff that by 1908 offered high school courses. The RCA also offered a "trading house" where locals could purchase used clothing and household furnishings.[13] This was Kentucky's first settlement school, a notable event usually associated with the Hindman Settlement School in Knott County, Kentucky. The RCA opened a new school in nearby Annville, establishing the Annville Institute.[14] Lincoln Hall school building on that campus opened in 1910.[15]

Public education

The city is served by the Jackson County Public School system. The following schools operate within the city:[16]

  • McKee Elementary School
  • Jackson County Middle School
  • Jackson County High School
  • Jackson County Area Technology Center

Infrastructure

Utilities

Power in McKee is served by Jackson Energy, which is headquartered in the city and serves Jackson County and surrounding counties such as Lee County, Owsley County, Clay County, Laurel County, Rockcastle County, and Madison County.[17] Cable TV, internet, and phone in McKee is served by Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative, which is also headquartered in the city and serves Jackson County, Owsley County, and Clay County.[18] Every home and business in McKee is wired with fiber-optic cable.[19] McKee Water and Sewer also serves residents in the city.[20]

Healthcare

Emergency medical services for McKee are provided by the Jackson County Ambulance Service.

References

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): McKee city, Kentucky". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  4. ^ Collins, Lewis (1877). History of Kentucky. Library Reprints, Incorporated. p. 352. ISBN 9780722249208. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  5. ^ "Historical Wet/Dry Vote for City of McKee - Results!". Jackson County Sun. Nolan Media Group. November 8, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  6. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. ^ "About". Jackson County - McKee Industrial Development Authority. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "Kentucky Public Library Directory". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Fairs and Festivals". Jackson County Kentucky Tourism. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d "Recreation". Jackson County Kentucky Tourism. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  12. ^ "Daniel Boone National Forest". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "Battle against illiteracy is graphically portrayed". State Journal [Frankfort, Kentucky]. November 21, 1914.
  14. ^ Ratmeyer, Una (1995). Hands, Hearts, and Voices: Women Who Followed God's Call. New York: Reformed Church Press. pp. 123–124, 165. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  15. ^ "Annville Institute". National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  16. ^ "Jackson County Public Schools, KY". Jackson County Public Schools. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  17. ^ "About Us". Jackson Energy Cooperative. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  18. ^ "About Us". Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  19. ^ Halpern, Sue (December 3, 2019). "The One-Traffic-Light Town with Some of the Fastest Internet in the U.S." The New Yorker. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  20. ^ "Departments and Agencies". City of McKee, KY. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
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