Alva, Kentucky
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| Males: 471 |  (50.4%) |
| Females: 465 |  (49.6%) |
| Median resident age: | 36.6 years |
| Kentucky median age: | 35.9 years |
Zip code: 40863
| Alva: | $29,133 |
| KY: | $59,341 |
Estimated per capita income in 2022: $16,254 (it was $9,055 in 2000)
Alva CCD income, earnings, and wages data
Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $68,139 (it was $32,400 in 2000)
| Alva: | $68,139 |
| KY: | $196,300 |
Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $102,372; detached houses: $112,042; townhouses or other attached units: $117,777; in 2-unit structures: $250,926; mobile homes: $57,021
Detailed information about poverty and poor residents in Alva, KY
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- 97197.7%White alone
- 131.3%Hispanic
- 50.5%Two or more races
- 30.3%Black alone
- 10.1%American Indian alone
- 10.1%Asian alone
Races in Alva detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth
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Current Local Time: EST time zone
Elevation: 1440 feet
Land area: 48.3 square miles.
Population density: 19 people per square mile (very low).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
| Alva CCD: | 0.9% ($301) |
| Kentucky: | 0.8% ($610) |
Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Knoxville, TN 
(60.1 miles , pop. 173,890).
Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Fayette, KY (107.9 miles , pop. 260,512).
Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (420.8 miles , pop. 2,896,016).
Nearest cities:
Pathfork, KY (1.9 miles ),
), South Wallins, KY (2.5 miles ),
), Wallins Creek, KY (2.6 miles ),
), Tejay, KY (2.6 miles ),
), Coldiron, KY (2.7 miles ),
), Loyall, KY (3.0 miles ),
), Latitude: 36.73 N, Longitude: 83.41 W
Area code commonly used in this area: 606
| Here: | 5.9% |
| Kentucky: | 3.8% |
- Mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction (17.7%)
- Educational services (16.0%)
- Accommodation & food services (11.0%)
- Food & beverage stores (10.3%)
- Department & other general merchandise stores (6.0%)
- Construction (5.0%)
- Health care (3.9%)
- Mining, quarrying, oil & gas extraction (32.3%)
- Educational services (13.5%)
- Construction (9.0%)
- Administrative & support & waste management services (6.5%)
- Furniture & related product manufacturing (5.8%)
- Food & beverage stores (5.8%)
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (5.2%)
- Accommodation & food services (24.4%)
- Educational services (18.9%)
- Food & beverage stores (15.7%)
- Department & other general merchandise stores (13.4%)
- Used merchandise, gift, novelty, souvenir, other miscellaneous stores (7.9%)
- Apparel (7.1%)
- Public administration (5.5%)
- Cooks and food preparation workers (12.8%)
- Extraction workers (12.8%)
- Retail sales workers, except cashiers (10.3%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (6.4%)
- Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (5.0%)
- Food processing workers (3.2%)
- Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers (3.2%)
- Extraction workers (23.2%)
- Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (11.6%)
- Food processing workers (5.8%)
- Laborers and material movers, hand (5.8%)
- Registered nurses (5.2%)
- Fishing, hunting, and forestry occupations (5.2%)
- Carpenters (5.2%)
- Cooks and food preparation workers (28.3%)
- Retail sales workers, except cashiers (17.3%)
- Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (11.0%)
- Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers (7.1%)
- Cashiers (6.3%)
- Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (5.5%)
- Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.5%)
Average climate in Alva, Kentucky
Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations
(lower is better)
Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2022 was 72.3. This is about average.
| City: | 72.3 |
| U.S.: | 72.6 |
Carbon Monoxide (CO) [ppm] level in 2000 was 0.127. This is significantly better than average. Closest monitor was 18.8 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 0.127 |
| U.S.: | 0.251 |
Ozone [ppb] level in 2022 was 27.8. This is about average. Closest monitor was 7.6 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 27.8 |
| U.S.: | 33.3 |
Particulate Matter (PM2.5) [µg/m3] level in 2022 was 9.68. This is about average. Closest monitor was 20.0 miles away from the city center.
| City: | 9.68 |
| U.S.: | 8.11 |
Tornado activity:
Alva-area historical tornado activity is significantly below Kentucky state average. It is 55% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 5/9/1988, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 16.0 miles away from the Alva place center killed one person and injured 15 people and caused between $5,000,000 and $50,000,000 in damages.
On 3/12/1967, a category F3 tornado 39.6 miles away from the place center .
Earthquake activity:
Alva-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Kentucky state average. It is 55% greater than the overall U.S. average.On 7/27/1980 at 18:52:21, a magnitude 5.2 (5.1 MB, 4.7 MS, 5.0 UK, 5.2 UK, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 106.2 miles away from the city center
On 8/9/2020 at 12:07:37, a magnitude 5.1 (5.1 MW, Depth: 4.7 mi) earthquake occurred 129.8 miles away from Alva center
On 11/30/1973 at 07:48:41, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 MB, 4.6 ML, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 71.3 miles away from the city center
On 8/23/2011 at 17:51:04, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.7 mi) earthquake occurred 311.9 miles away from the city center
On 9/7/1988 at 02:28:09, a magnitude 4.6 (4.5 MB, 4.6 LG) earthquake occurred 101.1 miles away from Alva center
On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW) earthquake occurred 272.6 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Natural disasters:
The number of natural disasters in Harlan County (21) is greater than the US average (15).Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 14
Emergencies Declared: 2
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 14, Storms: 11, Mudslides: 6, Landslides: 5, Tornadoes: 4, Winter Storms: 3, Fires: 2, Snows: 2, Snowstorms: 2, Winds: 2, Blizzard: 1, Freeze: 1, Hurricane: 1, Snowfall: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Alva:
- Lincoln Memorial University (about 18 miles; Harrogate, TN; Full-time enrollment: 3,706)
- Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (about 29 miles; Cumberland, KY; FT enrollment: 2,196)
- Walters State Community College (about 37 miles; Morristown, TN; FT enrollment: 4,359)
- Hazard Community and Technical College (about 38 miles; Hazard, KY; FT enrollment: 2,087)
- University of the Cumberlands (about 42 miles; Williamsburg, KY; FT enrollment: 3,585)
- Tusculum College (about 53 miles; Greeneville, TN; FT enrollment: 2,070)
- Northeast State Community College (about 59 miles; Blountville, TN; FT enrollment: 4,480)
Public elementary/middle school in Alva:
- ALVATON ELEMENTARY (Students: 463, Location: 6350 OLD SCOTTSVILLE RD., Grades: PK-6)
Points of interest:
Notable location: Black Star Coal Camp (A). Display/hide its location on the map
Cemetery: Fee Cemetery (1). Display/hide its location on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Abner Branch (A), Beartree Branch (B), Berts Branch (C), Bradford Branch (D), Daniel Branch (E), Cy Branch (F), Middleton Branch (G), Cloud Branch (H), Toms Branch (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Average household size:
| This place: | 2.3 people |
| Kentucky: | 2.5 people |
Percentage of family households:
| This place: | 68.2% |
| Whole state: | 66.9% |
Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
| This place: | 3.3% |
| Whole state: | 6.4% |
Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
- Lesbian couples: 0.5% of all households
- Gay men: 0.3% of all households
| This place: | 36.6% |
| Whole state: | 15.8% |
| This place: | 21.0% |
| Whole state: | 6.6% |
For population 15 years and over in Alva:
- Never married: 17.5%
- Now married: 64.3%
- Separated: 3.2%
- Widowed: 11.3%
- Divorced: 6.9%
For population 25 years and over in Alva:
- High school or higher: 55.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher: 3.2%
- Graduate or professional degree: 1.1%
- Unemployed: 10.5%
- Mean travel time to work (commute): 38.5 minutes
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
| Here: | 12.9 |
| Kentucky average: | 13.8 |
Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results
Religion statistics for Alva, KY (based on Harlan County data)
| Religion | Adherents | Congregations |
|---|---|---|
| Evangelical Protestant | 12,152 | 95 |
| Mainline Protestant | 1,524 | 13 |
| Black Protestant | 968 | 3 |
| Catholic | 207 | 3 |
| Other | 151 | 2 |
| None | 14,276 | - |
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 10
| Harlan County: | 3.22 / 10,000 pop. |
| Kentucky: | 2.19 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 2
| Harlan County: | 0.64 / 10,000 pop. |
| Kentucky: | 0.74 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 13
| Harlan County: | 4.18 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 4.36 / 10,000 pop. |
Number of full-service restaurants: 8
| Here: | 2.57 / 10,000 pop. |
| State: | 5.74 / 10,000 pop. |
Adult diabetes rate:
| This county: | 12.9% |
| Kentucky: | 11.0% |
Adult obesity rate:
| Harlan County: | 29.8% |
| Kentucky: | 30.0% |
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
| This county: | 21.0% |
| State: | 15.9% |
Strongest AM radio stations in Alva:
- WHLN (1410 AM; 5 kW; HARLAN, KY)
- WFSR (970 AM; 5 kW; HARLAN, KY; Owner: EASTERN BROADCASTING COMPAY)
- WKVL (850 AM; daytime; 50 kW; KNOXVILLE, TN; Owner: HORNE RADIO, LLC)
- WMIK (560 AM; 2 kW; MIDDLESBORO, KY; Owner: GATEWAY BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WFGW (1010 AM; 50 kW; BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC; Owner: BLUE RIDGE BROADCASTING CORP.)
- WGOC (640 AM; 10 kW; BLOUNTVILLE, TN; Owner: CITADEL BROADCASTING COMPANY)
- WRWB (740 AM; 1 kW; HARROGATE, TN; Owner: PINE HILLS OF TENNESSEE, INC.)
- WLFJ (660 AM; daytime; 50 kW; GREENVILLE, SC; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
- WCRK (1150 AM; 5 kW; MORRISTOWN, TN; Owner: RADIO ACQUISITION CORP.)
- WPWT (870 AM; daytime; 10 kW; COLONIAL HEIGHTS, TN; Owner: INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS CORP.)
- WNOX (990 AM; 10 kW; KNOXVILLE, TN)
- WKLB (1290 AM; 5 kW; MANCHESTER, KY; Owner: BARKER BROADCASTING COMPANY, INC.)
- WEKC (710 AM; daytime; 4 kW; WILLIAMSBURG, KY; Owner: GERALD PARKS)
Strongest FM radio stations in Alva:
- WTUK (105.1 FM; HARLAN, KY; Owner: EASTERN BROADCASTING COMPANY)
- WMIK-FM (92.7 FM; MIDDLESBORO, KY; Owner: GATEWAY BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WSEH (102.7 FM; CUMBERLAND, KY; Owner: CUMBERLAND CITY BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WRIL (106.3 FM; PINEVILLE, KY; Owner: PINE HILLS BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WCTU (105.9 FM; TAZEWELL, TN; Owner: STAIR COMPANY, INC)
- WAXM (93.5 FM; BIG STONE GAP, VA; Owner: VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WJDT (106.5 FM; ROGERSVILLE, TN; Owner: C & S BROADCASTING)
- WBGQ (100.7 FM; BULLS GAP, TN; Owner: CHEROKEE BROADCASTING)
- WSGS (101.1 FM; HAZARD, KY; Owner: MOUNTAIN BROADCASTING SERVICE, INC.)
- WTFM (98.5 FM; KINGSPORT, TN; Owner: HOLSTON VALLEY BROADCASTING CORP.)
- WJNV (99.1 FM; JONESVILLE, VA; Owner: REGINA KAY MOORE)
- W223AA (92.5 FM; BIG STONE GAP, VA; Owner: VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WIMZ-FM (103.5 FM; KNOXVILLE, TN; Owner: SOUTH CENTRAL COMM., CORP.)
- WXJB (96.5 FM; HARROGATE, TN; Owner: JBD INCORPORATED)
- WIFX-FM (94.3 FM; JENKINS, KY; Owner: LETCHER COUNTY BROADCASTING, INC)
- WEKH (90.9 FM; HAZARD, KY; Owner: EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY)
- WZQQ (97.9 FM; HYDEN, KY; Owner: LESLIE COUNTY BROADCASTING, INC.)
- WXKQ-FM (103.9 FM; WHITESBURG, KY; Owner: T.C.W. BROADCASTING , INC.)
- WMMT (88.7 FM; WHITESBURG, KY; Owner: APPALSHOP, INCORPORATED)
- WJMD (104.7 FM; HAZARD, KY; Owner: HAZARD BROADCASTING SERVICES)
TV broadcast stations around Alva:
- WAGV (Channel 44; HARLAN, KY; Owner: LIVING FAITH MINISTRIES, INC.)
- WYMT-TV (Channel 57; HAZARD, KY; Owner: WYMT LICENSEE CORP.)
- W24BT (Channel 24; TALBERT, KY; Owner: MS COMMUNICATIONS, LLC)
FCC Registered Private Land Mobile Towers:
1- Unit Train Loadout Along Ky Rte 72 15 Mi Se Of Us 119 (Lat: 36.729250 Lon: -83.418806), Type: Building, Structure height: 2 m, Overall height: 3 m, Call Sign: WPKD660,
Assigned Frequencies: 913.000 MHz, 918.150 MHz, Grant Date: 01/25/1997, Expiration Date: 01/25/2002, Cancellation Date: 05/05/2002, Certifier: Earl S Mc Knight, Registrant: Kanawha Scales & Systems, Poca, WV 25159, Fax: (304) 755-3327
Houses and condos
Apartments
- 72.0%Electricity
- 16.4%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
- 7.5%Coal or coke
- 2.2%Solar energy
- 1.9%No fuel used
- 42.4%Electricity
- 33.3%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
- 24.2%Coal or coke
Alva compared to Kentucky state average:
- Median household income below state average.
- Median house value significantly below state average.
- Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
- Median age below state average.
- Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
- Renting percentage below state average.
- Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
- Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.
- House age significantly below state average.
- Number of college students significantly below state average.
- Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.