McKee, Kentucky


McKee is a home rule-class city in Jackson County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 800 at the 2010 census. The city was named for Judge George R. McKee. In 2019, the city had a vote whether to continue the prohibition of alcohol sales within the city limits, and the votes came back in favor of making the city wet.

Geography

McKee is located in central Jackson County at , within Daniel Boone National Forest. U.S. Route 421 passes through the center of town, leading northwest to Richmond and southeast to Manchester. Kentucky Route 89 runs north from McKee to Irvine and southwest to Livingston, while Kentucky Route 290 leads south from McKee to Annville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which, or 0.02%, are water. 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

As of the census of 2000, there were 878 people, 359 households, and 232 families residing in the town. The population density was 385.3 people per square mile. There were 402 housing units at an average density of 176.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.54% White, 0.11% Black or African American, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.11% of the population.
There were 359 households out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 25.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the town the population was spread out with 31.0% under the age of 18, 15.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $11,622, and the median income for a family was $12,857. Males had a median income of $20,000 versus $13,750 for females. The per capita income for the town was $7,589. About 48.3% of families and 53.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 65.8% of those under age 18 and 29.8% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Last major employer BAE Systems has closed down. Most employment is found out of city or county for residents.

Education

McKee has a lending library, a branch of the Jackson County Public Library.
Jackson County High School is the single high school for both the city and the county.
is the elementary school located in the city and is one of three serving the county.