Moving to Jenkins, Kentucky
Jenkins, Kentucky is a small town located in the Appalachian Mountains. It has an estimated population of 1,500 people. The geography of Jenkins is typical of the mountain region, with rolling hills, dense forests, and plenty of streams and rivers. The climate in Jenkins is humid and subtropical due to its location at the base of the mountains. Summers are typically hot and humid, while winters are cold and wet.
The history of Jenkins dates back to the early 1800s when it was first settled by European settlers. The town was named after a prominent local family who owned much of the land surrounding it. Since then, Jenkins has seen its share of growth and decline over time as industries have come and gone from the area. In recent years, however, it has seen a resurgence in both population growth and economic activity due to its proximity to larger cities in nearby states such as Tennessee and Virginia.
Politics in Jenkins are dominated by conservative values with a focus on fiscal responsibility and small government. There is also a strong sense of community among residents which helps to bring people together for common causes such as education or economic development projects.
The economy in Jenkins is largely reliant on agriculture with many local farms producing food for both local markets as well as export markets abroad. There is also some light manufacturing that takes place within city limits such as furniture production or electronics assembly plants which provide additional employment opportunities for residents.
The school system in Jenkins consists of two elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one college campus offering associate degrees in various fields including business administration or information technology management. There are also several private schools located near the city which offer additional educational options for students looking for more specialized training or curriculum options than what’s available through public schools alone.
Finally, there are several notable landmarks located within or near Jenkins that help to define its identity as a small Appalachian town including natural features like Cave Mountain State Park or historical sites like Union Station Museum & Library where visitors can learn about the area’s rich past through interactive exhibits and artifacts from times gone by.
Population: 2,401. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,297 (-4.3% change)
Males: 1,152 (48.0%), Females: 1,249 (52.0%)
Letcher County
Zip code: 41537
Demographics
Median resident age: 38.5 years
Median household income: $20,143
Median house value: $36,400
Population by Race
Races in Jenkins:
- White Non-Hispanic (97.7%)
- Black (1.1%)
Ancestries: United States (21.0%), English (14.7%), Irish (6.2%), German (2.4%), Italian (1.6%), Dutch (1.5%).
Elevation: 1526 feet
Land area: 8.5 square miles
Population by Education
Jenkins, Kentucky is a small rural town with a population of approximately 1,400. The majority of residents are in their late thirties to mid-fifties, with the median age being 43 years old. The town is comprised primarily of Caucasian and African-American citizens. The primary industry in Jenkins is coal mining, which has been the main source of employment for many generations.
The cost of living in Jenkins is quite low compared to other parts of the country. In terms of housing, there are a variety of options available ranging from single family homes to apartments and mobile homes. Prices range from $50,000 to $150,000 depending on size and location. Utilities such as electricity, gas and water are also quite affordable in the area. Groceries and other necessary items such as clothing are also relatively inexpensive due to competition between local stores. Healthcare services are limited but there are two hospitals located within a 30 mile radius that provide adequate care at reasonable prices when needed.
For population 25 years and over in Jenkins
- High school or higher: 66.9%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.3%
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4%
- Unemployed: 10.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 24.8 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Jenkins city
- Never married: 19.1%
- Now married: 58.6%
- Separated: 1.9%
- Widowed: 8.6%
- Divorced: 11.8%
0.1% Foreign born
Population change in the 1990s: -350 (-12.7%).
Hospitals
Hospital/medical center in Jenkins:
- JENKINS COMMUNITY HOSP (MAIN ST)
Other hospitals/medical centers near Jenkins:
- DICKENSON COUNTY MEDICAL CENTER (about 13 miles; CLINTWOOD, VA)
- WHITESBURG ARH HOSPITAL (about 15 miles; WHITESBURG, KY)
- NORTON COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; NORTON, VA)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Jenkins:
- TRI-CITIES RGNL TN/VA (about 52 miles; BRISTOL/JOHNSON/KINGSPORT, TN; Abbreviation: TRI)
- TRI-STATE/MILTON J. FERGUSON FIELD (about 82 miles; HUNTINGTON, WV; Abbreviation: HTS)
- YEAGER (about 110 miles; CHARLESTON, WV; Abbreviation: CRW)
Other public-use airports nearest to Jenkins:
- LONESOME PINE (about 16 miles; WISE, VA; Abbreviation: LNP)
- PIKE COUNTY-HATCHER FIELD (about 27 miles; PIKEVILLE, KY; Abbreviation: PBX)
- GRUNDY MUNI (about 36 miles; GRUNDY, VA; Abbreviation: GDY)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Jenkins:
- NORTHEAST STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 48 miles; BLOUNTVILLE, TN; Full-time enrollment: 2,729)
- SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 58 miles; RICHLANDS, VA; Full-time enrollment: 2,412)
- EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 63 miles; JOHNSON CITY, TN; Full-time enrollment: 9,498)
- WALTERS STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 82 miles; MORRISTOWN, TN; Full-time enrollment: 3,893)
- MARSHALL UNIVERSITY (about 87 miles; HUNTINGTON, WV; Full-time enrollment: 12,361)
- MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY (about 89 miles; MOREHEAD, KY; Full-time enrollment: 6,866)
- APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY (about 92 miles; BOONE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 12,245)
Schools
Public high school in Jenkins:
- JENKINS MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 232; Location: 269 OLD HWY 386; Grades: 07 – 12)