Vicco, Kentucky

Vicco was originally a coal mining town; its name comes from the initials of the Virginia Iron Coal and Coke Company. The city was known for its bars and entertainment; The New York Times described it as "the local coal miner's Vegas". The decline of the coal industry in the region brought economic trouble to Vicco, as local businesses closed and the city faced severe budget deficits. However, in the early 2010s, the city attempted a revival, restarting its defunct police force among other measures.[4]

Vicco is located in eastern Perry County at 37°12′58″N 83°3′40″W (37.216186, -83.061089).[13] A small portion of the city extends northeast into neighboring Knott County. The city is in the valley of the Carr Fork, a west-flowing tributary of the North Fork of the Kentucky River.

Kentucky Route 15 passes through the center of Vicco, leading west 11 miles (18 km) to Hazard, the Perry county seat, and east 20 miles (32 km) to Whitesburg.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Vicco has a total area of 0.85 square miles (2.2 km²), of which 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²), or 1.26%, are water.[3]

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 318 people, 132 households, and 93 families residing in the city. The population density was 411.2 inhabitants per square mile (158.8/km²). There were 152 housing units at an average density of 196.6 per square mile (75.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.69% White and 0.31% from two or more races.

There were 132 households, of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $13,235, and the median income for a family was $14,688. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,325. About 42.4% of families and 39.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.4% of those under age 18 and 26.9% of those age 65 or over.