Caneyville, Kentucky

Geography

Caneyville is located in western Grayson County at 37°25′35″N 86°29′21″W. U.S. Route 62 passes through the center of town, leading east 14 miles (23 km) to Leitchfield, the county seat, and west 24 miles (39 km) to Beaver Dam. The Western Kentucky Parkway passes just south of Caneyville, with access from Exit 94 (Kentucky Route 79). The Parkway leads northeast 44 miles (71 km) to Elizabethtown and southwest 58 miles (93 km) to Nortonville. KY 79 crosses US 62 in the center of Caneyville and leads north 32 miles (51 km) to Hardinsburg and southwest 19 miles (31 km) to Morgantown.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Caneyville has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.2 km²), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²), or 0.59%, is water. Caney Creek, a west-flowing tributary of the Rough River, is formed in the north part of Caneyville at the junction of its North and South Forks. Water in Caney Creek flows via the Rough River and the Green River to the Ohio River and thence to the Mississippi.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 627 people, 281 households, and 168 families residing in the city. The population density was 384.8 people per square mile (148.5/km²). There were 321 housing units at an average density of 197.0 per square mile (76.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.52% White, 0.16% African American, 0.16% Native American, and 0.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16% of the population.

There were 281 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.2% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 82.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $17,273, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $25,625 versus $17,361 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,820. About 23.9% of families and 30.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.5% of those under age 18 and 22.8% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Its principal highway is U.S. Highway 62, an east-west route.

It is situated on the Paducah and Louisville Railway, a short line railroad operating on a former Illinois Central Railroad route.

Sites of interest

Caneyville is located 15 miles (24 km) south of Rough River Dam State Resort Park. Entertainment in the area includes Pine Knob Theater between Caneyville and Rough River.

Plain community

There is an Old Order, Anabaptist, horse-and-buggy community of about 15 families in Caneyville, called the Caneyville Christian Community. This community has much in common with Old Order Mennonites and Amish, but does not belong to either of these two groups. The Caneyville Christian Community lives mostly from produce they sell, and the manufacture of wood stoves.

Sports

The former Caneyville High School, despite its small enrollment, was well known for its boys' basketball team, which reached the "Sweet 16," the Kentucky State Boys Basketball Tournament, in 1962 and 1968.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Caneyville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.