Vanceburg
cityVanceburg, Kentucky, nestled along the Ohio River in Lewis County, serves as the county seat. With a population of approximately 1,430 as of 2025, it maintains a small-town character rooted in its riverfront location. The city is part of the Maysville Micropolitan Statistical Area. The local economy of Vanceburg is supported by industries like retail trade, manufacturing, and construction. Historically, salt production and mining played significant roles. The Electric Plant Board provides essential utilities such as electricity, water, sewer, and gas to the city and surrounding areas. Vanceburg's history is marked by its founding in 1797 and its role as a key river port. The city is known for its Union monument, a rare tribute to Union soldiers located south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The devastating 1937 flood significantly reshaped the town, leading to the renaming of its streets.
Vanceburg, Kentucky
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 21-79068
- Country
- United States
- County
- Lewis County
- Region
- Ohio River Valley
- Elevation
- 495 ft
- Total Area
- 1.2 sq mi
- Land Area
- 1.19 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.04 sq mi
- Latitude
- 38.59444
- Longitude
- -83.32444
- Climate
- Vanceburg experiences a temperate climate typical of Kentucky.
- Notable Features
- Ohio River · Salt Lick Creek
- Neighboring Areas
- Tollesboro · Concord · Garrison
- Population (2020)
- 1,428
- Est. Population (2026)
- 1,362
- Median Age
- 49.7
- Median Income
- $30,054
- Poverty Rate
- 39.61%
- Family Households
- 62.9%
- Owner-Occupied
- 49.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The population is primarily White (96.5%), with smaller percentages of Two or More races (2.2%), Hispanic (1.0%), and Black (0.3%).
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- Lewis County Schools
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire & Rescue · Street Department · Electric Plant Board
- Unemployment Rate
- 8.4%
- Economic Profile
- Primarily driven by agriculture, manufacturing and tourism
- Employment Sectors
- Retail Trade · Manufacturing · Construction
- Schools
- 5
- Students
- 1,981
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19:1
- School Districts
- Lewis County Public Schools
- Transportation
- Kentucky Route 9/10 (AA Highway) · Kentucky Route 8
- Utilities
- Electric · Water · Sewer · Gas
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Boat Docks Recreational Park · Scott Park · Veteran's Memorial Park
- Parks & Trails
- Boat Docks Recreational Park · Scott Park on the River · Historical Walking Trail
- Founded
- 1797
- Incorporated
- 1839
- Named After
- William Vance, cofounder of the city
- Historical Significance
- Vanceburg played a significant role as a transportation hub and center for commerce in the region, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Key Events
- Founded in 1797 by Joseph Vance and William Vance · Named after William Vance after a coin toss · Served as a key river port for pioneers moving westward · Devastated by the 1937 flood, which led to street renaming · Site of a Confederate raid during the Civil War in 1864