Corbin, Kentucky
| Location of Corbin, Kentucky Location in the state of Kentucky | |
| Counties | Whitley, Knox |
| Mayor | Willard McBurney |
| Area - Land - Water |
7.4 sq. miles / 19.2 km² 7.4 sq. miles / 19.2 km² 0.0 sq. miles / 0.0 km² |
| Population - Total (2000) - Density |
7,742 403.9/km² |
| Time zone - summer (DST) |
EST (UTC-5) EDT (UTC-4) |
| Latitude Longitude |
36°56'30" N 84°5'44" W |
| Official website: http://www.corbinkentucky.us/ | |
Corbin is a city in Whitley and Knox counties in southeastern Kentucky. The urbanized area around Corbin extends into Laurel County; this area, known as North Corbin, is not incorporated into the city limits. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,742, with 17,558 living in the "urban cluster" that includes Corbin.
History
The Corbin area, known originally as Lynn Camp, was first settled by Europeans around 1800. The present town came into being when the Louisville and Nashville Railroad laid the first tracks through the area around 1883. Swampland, chosen because it was both flat and cheap, was drained to make way for a depot and roundhouse, and a town soon grew up around the tracks.
The post office at the site was originally named Cummins for community founder Nelson Cummins. However, when it was discovered in 1885 that both Cummins and Lynn Camp were already in use as names for Kentucky post offices, postmaster James Eaton was asked to select another name. He chose Corbin, perhaps for James Corbin Floyd, a local minister. (The word itself is derived from the Latin corvus, meaning raven; compare French corbeau.) The town was incorporated under that name in 1905.
Law and government
Corbin is a fourth-class city governed by a mayor and city council. Willard McBurney is the current mayor.
Corbin is located in Kentucky's 5th Congressional District. In terms of party affiliation, the residents of Corbin and the surrounding areas are predominantly Republican.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, it has a total area of 19.2 km² (7.4 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.
Corbin lies in the Cumberland Plateau region of Appalachia in southeastern Kentucky. The Pine Mountain Overthrust Fault, a geologic fault system located several miles to the east, produces occasional tremors, the most recent in 2004.
Economy
Originally formed by L&N Railroad, rail transport was the backbone of the local economy in the first half of the twentieth century. While the railroad (presently CSX) continues to play an important role, the decline of the rail industry in the latter half of the twentieth century, as well as the loss of some manufacturing jobs due to globalization, has prompted the community to begin diversifying its economy.
Major employers in the area today include Aisin Automotive Casting, NCS Pearson, Pepsi Bottling Company, CTA Acoustics, Baptist Regional Medical Center, and Whayne Supply, Superior Protection Fire Safety.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 7,742 people, 3,308 households, and 2,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 403.9/km² (1,045.8/mi²). There were 3,704 housing units at an average density of 193.3/km² (500.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.35% White, 0.08% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.
There were 3,308 households out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.5% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 81.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 74.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,203, and the median income for a family was $32,784. Males had a median income of $27,323 versus $17,568 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,200. About 15.5% of families and 21.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.0% of those under age 18 and 16.4% of those age 65 or over.
Culture and local color
- Each year in early August, Corbin hosts a festival called NIBROC (Corbin spelled backwards) featuring open-air concerts, carnival attractions, a beauty pageant, parade, and other events. The festival is featured, if anachronistically, in the play Last Train to Nibroc [1] by Arlene Hutton. (Though the play is set in the 1940s, the festival itself only dates to 1952.)
- Despite being in dry counties (Knox and Whitley), sales of alcoholic drinks by restaurants seating at least 100 diners are allowed.
Transportation
Corbin straddles Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 25 (which splits into 25-E and 25-W in the Corbin area). The town is served by the CSX rail line.
Sites of interest
- Cumberland Falls State Park, the site of the only waterfall in the Western hemisphere to feature a regularly occurring moonbow, is located 19 miles (31 km) to the southwest.
- Sanders' Cafe, the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken (though not sold as the KFC/Kentucky Fried Chicken brand at the time) is located in North Corbin. The restaurant and accompanying museum are popular with tour groups traveling along Interstate 75.
- Nearby Laurel River Lake, created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1974, is a popular recreational site for boating, fishing, water skiing, and scuba diving.
- Cumberland Gap and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park are located about 50 miles (80 km) south of Corbin on U.S. Highway 25E at the Tennessee border.
Education
Corbin, like many communities of its size in southeastern Kentucky, has an independent school system (i.e., a public school system affiliated with a city rather than with any county). The Corbin Independent School District includes:
- Central Primary (grades K-2)
- South Elementary (grades 3-5)
- Corbin Middle (grades 6-8)
- Corbin High (grades 9-12)
- Corbin Vocational
- Corbin East (alternative school)
The community also places considerable emphasis on the success of its high school athletic teams. "Redhounds" games, especially football, are important social events for many within the community.
In 2004 Eastern Kentucky University opened a new extension campus in Corbin.
Corbin is also home to Saint Camillus Academy, a private school affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky. Established in 1913 by the Sisters of Divine Providence, the school has been successful as both a boarding school for national and international students and as a Montessori school. With a beautiful schoolhouse in ornate French chateau style situated atop a prominence overlooking the town, St. Camillus Academy provides a striking backdrop to the streets of downtown Corbin.
Notable natives and former residents
- Sarah Kenney a 2007 graduate of FAU was born in Corbin in 1984.
Media
Newspapers
- The Corbin Times-Tribune, daily afternoon newspaper
- The Corbin News Journal, weekly morning newspaper
Radio
- WCTT AM 680
- WKDP AM 1330
- WEKF FM: 88.5
- WVCT FM 91.5
- WKDP FM 99.5
- WCTT FM 107.3
External links
- Official City of Corbin Web Site
- Corbin, Kentucky Office of Economic Development
- The Corbin Times-Tribune
- The Corbin News Journal
- Template:Mapit-US-cityscale
- [2]
