The Evolution of Coal Company Towns in Kentucky

This thesis investigates the history and demographic development of coal company towns in Kentucky relative to a local and global context. This project defines coal company towns in Kentucky and takes a comprehensive presence of coal company towns census in order to cast light on the history and demographic development of coal company towns in Kentucky. This research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods, using statistical analysis and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to offer a spatial analysis approach to map and analyze the population development of these evolving towns. The study of coal company towns in Kentucky confirms that some of these towns have experienced considerable growth, and then have experienced sharp declines as a result of the coal industry's downturn. This study looks at these situations in detail, but it also brings to light some interesting cases of towns in which they have demonstrated resilience and adaptation to survive in the face of a declining population. This research highlights the life cycle stages of coal company towns and articulates the importance of understanding the coal company town's changing times in development and population. The thesis's findings hold significance for a broader area that deals with industrial histories and could provide a framework to perceive and conduct research about community development and population transformation in post-industrial geographies.