QUICK FACTS:
Population: 23 million
% in poverty in Williamsburg: 35.4%
source: 2000 US Census

About Appalachia

ABOUT THE REGION

Source: Appalachian Region Commission

Appalachia as defined by the Appalachia Regional Commission covers a 200,000 square mile region, which includes all of West Virginia and parts of twelve other states (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia). They lie along the Appalachia mountain chain which runs from southern New York to northern Mississippi.

  

The Appalachia region has a population of some 23 million who reside in 410 counties of the thirteen states noted above. Approximately 42% of this population is rural.  The Appalachia Regional Commission was formed by Congress in March 1965. This was the result of the urging of president John F. Kennedy, who visited West Virginia during his Presidential campaign in 1960. Moved by the poverty he encountered, the newly elected President pushed congress to draw up " a comprehensive program for the development of the Appalachian Region". This effort was continued by President Johnson with the result being the formation of the ARC in 1965.


The Appalachia Committee serves the people in the Appalachian region with specific ties to the communities of Williamsburg and Harlan Kentucky. Spring and summer trips bring students and other volunteers to these two areas, and the warehouse sends the trucks with supplies to the people there as well.

WILLIAMSBURG

Williamsburg, Kentucky is located at mile marker 11 along I-75 in Whitley Co. As of the 2000 census Williamsburg had a population of 5,143. It is the county seat (located in Whitley county) and was founded in 1818.

FACTS

  • The median income for a household in the city is $16,114
  • Median income for a family $25996
  • Per capita income in the city $11,224
  • 35.4% of the population and 29.3% of families live below the poverty level
  • Of Total Population 49% under age 18 and 15% of those age 65 and older live below the poverty level

(2000 US census)

In Whitley county, population 38,029 (2005 estimate)

  • 61% HS grads
  • BS degree or higher 13.4%
  • Per capita money income (1999) $12,777
  • Median household income(2003) $23,886

HARLAN

Harlan is the Harlan County, Kentucky County seat. This is where many youth and college student service trips take place and work with COAP (including St Cecilia).

  • Population 2,081 (2000 census)
  • Per capita income Harlan city $15,572
  • Median household income Harlan city $17,270
  • 23.8% of families and 32.4% of the population live below the poverty level including 40% of those under age18 and 20.6% of those age 65 or over
  • HS grads 58%
  • Bs degree or higher 8.9%
  • Population (2005 estimate) 31,614
  • Per capita money income (1999) $11,585
  • Median household income (2003) $21,695