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Hazard, Kentucky

16 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1891 and the latest in 1992. It stands in the Hazard census division. It lies in ZIP code area 41701. It stands on Messer Branch. The Survey maps it on the Hazard South quadrangle. 5,263 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 928 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Hazard within Perry County

On record in Hazard

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Hazard grew from 4,456 to 5,263 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
20104,456
20205,263+807 (+18%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

8 surveys from 16 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 of 14 photographs shown, 1940 to 2020

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Miners' children crossing swinging bridge from their homes into town. Hazard, Kentucky
Miners' children crossing swinging bridge from their homes into town. Hazard, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Carloads of coal in mining section near Hazard, Kentucky
Carloads of coal in mining section near Hazard, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Curve through a cut in the mountains outside Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in southeastern Kentucky
Curve through a cut in the mountains outside Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in southeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Insidious kudzu vines ovewhelm just about everything along a road outside Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
Insidious kudzu vines ovewhelm just about everything along a road outside Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
The Black Gold Festival headquarters in Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
The Black Gold Festival headquarters in Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Mountain people bringing home groceries and supplies near Hazard, Kentucky
Mountain people bringing home groceries and supplies near Hazard, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Overview of Hazard, a logging and coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
Overview of Hazard, a logging and coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
An appropriately decorated "Bookmobile" bus belonging to the Perry County Public Library in Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
An appropriately decorated "Bookmobile" bus belonging to the Perry County Public Library in Hazard, a coal town of 4,500 or so population in the hills of southeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress

Every photograph of Perry County

Fires near this place

654 since 1993

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 654 fires within 5 miles of Hazard between 1993 and 2020, burning about 26,512 acres in total. 1 started naturally. 133 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning224
Missing data/not specified/undetermined214
Arson/incendiarism133
Recreation and ceremony60
Misuse of fire by a minor6
Equipment and vehicle use6
Smoking6
Railroad operations and maintenance4
Natural1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
8 September 2019Debris and open burning1.0 acresKentucky Division of ForestrySTIDHAM LN
6 September 2007Debris and open burning12 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
6 September 2001Missing data/not specified/undetermined56 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
5 September 2007Debris and open burning1.0 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
4 September 2007Debris and open burning1.0 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
30 September 2017Debris and open burning5.0 acresKentucky Division of ForestrySHERIFFS COURT
29 September 2016Recreation and ceremony1.0 acresKentucky Division of ForestryJEFF
29 September 2007Debris and open burning63 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Perry County

Mines and quarries near this place

2 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 2 workings within 5 miles of Hazard: 2 prospects. None of them still produces. What was taken out: Clay. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Branch Gap ClayClayProspect
Buffalo Divide ShaleClayProspect

Every working recorded in Perry County

Storms near this place

60 of 92 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Hazard in 92 storm reports between 1996 and 2025: 59 thunderstorm wind, 20 hail, 8 heavy rain, 3 flash flood. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 1996Flash FloodHazard$150,000no account filed
May 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$50,000Thunderstorm wind gusts downed power lines in the communities of Acup, Stormking, Coal Harbor, Tiger Hill, and Scuddy. Three thousand people were without power throughout the county.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$35,000Numerous trees were reported downed in Hazard and areas south.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindHazard$30,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in the Busy, Big Willard, and Briar Fork communities.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$30,000The public reported numerous trees were blown down with power outages in Hazard.
April 2008Thunderstorm WindHazard$20,000Powerlines were blown down on Typo Road.
February 2018FloodHazard$15,000A water rescue had to be performed in Bonnyman on Typo Road. Four individuals and pets were trapped inside a home after it had become surrounded by 4 feet of water after First Creek overtopped its banks. A water rescue also had to be performed on Cherokee Hills Road in Hazard after a man drove his car into the north fork of the swollen Kentucky River.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindHazard$15,000Trees and power lines were blown down in Hazard.
October 2001Thunderstorm WindHazard$15,000Strong winds produced damage at the Hazard Technical College. Winds ripped a brick wall from one end of a building. An emptied truck trailer in the parking lot was also blown over and it slid into a bull dozer producing damage.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindHazard$10,000Numerous trees were blown down in the Hazard and Viper areas.
April 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$10,000Trees and power lines were blown down near Glomawr.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindHazard$10,000Trees down near 1166 and Route 7 intersection. Also near Route 7 and Route 15 intersection.
July 2006Thunderstorm WindHazard$10,000Falling tree smashed a trailer. Numerous trees down in town.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindHazard$10,000Power poles, power lines, and trees were down.
February 2008Thunderstorm WindHazard$8,000Both trees and powerlines were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$7,000One tree and several power lines were blown down.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindHazard$7,000Several trees were blown down within a 4 mile radius around the water plant.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$5,000Thunderstorm wind gusts blew down trees in Hazard.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$5,000Trees fell on a structure in Combs.
July 2004Thunderstorm WindHazard$5,000Numerous trees and power lines were down.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindHazard$4,000Numerous reports of trees and power lines down throughout Perry County, including within the city limits of Hazard.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindHazard$4,000Trees were blown down onto Couchtown Road by wind gusts estimated at 61 mph.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$3,000Large branches were broken off of trees by thunderstorm wind gusts.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindHazard$3,000Three trees were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts on county roads just north of Hazard.
April 1996Thunderstorm WindHazard$3,000no account filed
August 2010Thunderstorm WindHazard$2,000Large limbs were blown down in the community of Diablock.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindHazard$2,000Two trees were blown down in the Big Creek area.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindHazard$2,000Large limbs down on Christopher Road.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindHazard$2,000Large tree limbs blown down onto power lines in multiple locations in and near Hazard.
August 2001Flash FloodHazard$2,000Heavy rains brought flash flooding to the area. High water caused the closure of Buffalo Run Road near Highway 1096. Homes along Big Creek were being evacuated due to flooding. Homes along Highway 1096 from Buffalo Run Road to Highway 80 were affected. No injuries were reported.
August 2000Thunderstorm WindHazard$2,000Trees were blown down onto power lines.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindHazard$2,000Trees and power lines down.
March 2015FloodHazard$1,000A portion of Main Street in Hazard was flooded.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindHazard$1,000A tree was blown down along Hwy 451 west of Hazard.
February 2011Thunderstorm WindHazard$1,000A tree was blown down on Brown Creek Road near Hwy 451 and the Hal Rogers Parkway at mile marker 56.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindHazard$1,000Dispatch reported that a tree was blown down along Combs Rd in Hazard.
September 2009Thunderstorm WindHazard$1,000A tree was blown down on KY 2021 near Willard.
March 2008Thunderstorm WindHazard$1,000A tree was blown down on Route 476 near Rowdy.
February 2002Thunderstorm WindHazard$100A Window was blown out of the Masonic Lodge in Hazard. Papers were sucked out of file cabinets.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindHazard-Perry County dispatch reported a tree down on KY-451 (Town Mountain Road), just before the intersection with Messer Branch Road on the southwest side of Hazard.
May 2025HailHazard-Social media pictures show quarter sized hailstones in someone's hand and videos of small hail piles on Gormon Hallow in Hazard.
August 2022Thunderstorm WindHazard-A tree was blown down onto Town Mountain Road, KY-452, just within the city limits of Hazard.
February 2019Heavy RainHazard-Department of Highway officials reported a mudslide on North Main Street in Hazard. This caused trees and mud to cover the roadway as the hillside continued to give way.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindHazard-A tree was blown down in Hazard.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindHazard-Trees were blown down.
October 2014Thunderstorm WindHazard-A large tree limb was blown down and onto a vehicle in downtown Hazard.
May 2014Thunderstorm WindHazard-A tree was blown down and onto a house near the old Hazard High School.
October 2014Thunderstorm WindHazard-A tree was blown down just north of Hazard along Hwy 476 between mile markers 16 and 17.
February 2014Thunderstorm WindHazard-Trees were blown down on roads on Raccoon Creek and Glomawr.
May 2013Thunderstorm WindHazard-A three foot diameter beech tree was twisted and its top was ripped off. The top was deposited 180 yards away. This occurred near the intersection of Hwy's 15 and 80.
August 2013Heavy RainHazard-The twenty four hour rainfall total from was 2.2 inches.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindHazard-Trees were blown down at Chimney Rock.
August 2012HailHazard-Hail lasted for about a half hour near Cardinal Chevrolet.
August 2012Heavy RainHazard-Two and ninety seven hundredths of an inch of rain fell in Hazard between 6 and 8 pm.
August 2012Heavy RainHazard-Two and eighteen hundredths of an inch of rain fell near Hazard between 6 and 8 pm.
February 2011Heavy RainHazard-Heavy rain caused a landslide on Hwy 80 near the junction of Hwy 476 near Hazard.
June 2011Heavy RainHazard-A volunteer weather observer reported that 3.05 inches of rain had fallen in Hazard since 7 am.
July 2009Heavy RainHazard-This was an automated report. Between 3 and 4 inches of rain fell in Hazard.
September 2009Heavy RainHazard-Heavy rain triggered a rock and mudslide on State Road 80 one mile east of the intersection of State Road 15.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindHazard-Four to five large trees down 1 mile east of Grapevine.

Every storm recorded in Perry County

Newspapers printed here

5,299 digitised pages

2 papers published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 826 issues, 5,299 pages. Every page is searchable, so a name or a street can be looked for directly in what the town printed about itself at the time.

NewspaperPublished
The Hazard Herald1911 to 1975
The Hazard Leader192? to 19??

What the paper printed

17,801 words

Front pages of the local paper, read from the Library of Congress scans: 8 issues spread across its run from 1911 to 1928, 17,801 words in total. Each is reproduced on its own page, exactly as the recogniser returned it.

These pages read less well than anything else here, and the number is worth stating: about three words in four come through cleanly, against nine in ten for the building records. An 1896 broadsheet sets eight-point type in seven columns on microfilm, which is the hardest thing in this archive to read by machine. We tested our own recognisers against the Library's and they were not better, so the Library's text is what appears, with the wholly unreadable columns removed. Read it as a guide to what the paper covered, and follow the link to the scan before quoting anything.

IssuePaper Length
1911-06-29The Hazard Herald454 words
1911-08-10The Hazard Herald2,767 words
1911-09-21The Hazard Herald3,080 words
1911-10-26The Hazard Herald1,931 words
1911-12-21The Hazard Herald1,716 words
1928-05-11The Hazard Herald1,488 words
1921-07-07The Hazard Leader5,647 words
1927-06-02The Hazard Leader718 words

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Lothair0.8 miles16
Woodland Park0.8 miles16
Walkertown1.0 miles16
Allais1.3 miles16
Combs1.6 miles16
Christopher1.6 miles16
Hilton1.7 miles16
Diablock1.8 miles16

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on HazardAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q1144366The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 512617. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.