Morgan County

Morgan County is a county in eastern Kentucky, situated in the Appalachian foothills within the state’s Eastern Coal Field region. Created in 1822 from portions of Bath and Floyd counties and named for War of 1812 figure Daniel Morgan, it developed historically around small-scale agriculture, timbering, and later coal-related activity common to the region. The county is small in population, with a dispersed settlement pattern and no large urban centers. Its landscape is predominantly rugged and forested, shaped by narrow valleys and ridgelines, with waterways associated with the Licking River watershed. Morgan County’s economy and land use remain largely rural, with public services and retail concentrated in its main town. Local culture reflects broader Appalachian traditions, including strong community networks, church life, and ties to outdoor land-based work. The county seat is West Liberty.

Morgan County is located in eastern Kentucky in the Appalachian region, with West Liberty as the county seat. For local government and planning resources, visit the Morgan County, Kentucky official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Morgan County, Kentucky, Morgan County had:

• Population (2020): 13,948
• Population estimate (2023): 13,400

Age & Gender

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (most recent county profile values shown on the page):

• Age distribution (selected measures)
  • Under age 18: 19.9%
  • Age 65 and over: 22.5%
• Gender
  • Female: 50.8%
  • Male: 49.2%

Racial & Ethnic Composition

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (race alone unless noted; Hispanic/Latino is an ethnicity):

• White: 96.8%
• Black or African American: 0.5%
• American Indian and Alaska Native: 0.3%
• Asian: 0.2%
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 0.0%
• Two or more races: 2.2%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): 0.9%

Household & Housing Data

According to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts:

• Households (2018–2022): 5,319
• Persons per household: 2.45
• Owner-occupied housing unit rate (2018–2022): 71.8%
• Median value of owner-occupied housing units (2018–2022, in current dollars): $98,700
• Median selected monthly owner costs, with a mortgage (2018–2022): $953
• Median selected monthly owner costs, without a mortgage (2018–2022): $344
• Median gross rent (2018–2022): $544
• Housing units (2020): 6,444

Morgan County, Kentucky is a largely rural Appalachian county where dispersed settlement and mountainous terrain can raise the cost and complexity of last‑mile networks, shaping how reliably residents can access email and other online services.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published, so email adoption is inferred from proxy indicators such as household internet subscriptions, computer availability, and demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov). Key digital access indicators include estimates of broadband subscription and computer access reported in the American Community Survey; these measures track the practical ability to maintain regular email accounts and use webmail or apps.

Age structure is relevant because older populations typically show lower rates of online account adoption and use; Morgan County’s age distribution from the American Community Survey provides context for potential email uptake patterns (see American Community Survey methodology and tables). Gender distribution is generally less predictive of email use than age and connectivity, but county sex composition is available in the same ACS profile tables.

Connectivity constraints are reflected in broadband availability reporting and rural buildout challenges documented by the FCC National Broadband Map.

Morgan County is located in eastern Kentucky within the Appalachian region. The county is predominantly rural, characterized by rugged, forested terrain and narrow valleys that can constrain radio propagation and increase the number of towers or sites needed for consistent mobile coverage. Population is concentrated in and around West Liberty (the county seat), with low overall population density relative to Kentucky’s metropolitan counties—factors that commonly correlate with weaker commercial incentives for dense network buildouts and more variable in-building coverage.

Data scope and limitations (county-level)

County-specific mobile adoption and device-type data are limited. The most consistent county-level indicators come from U.S. Census Bureau survey products (for household internet subscription types, including “cellular data plan”) and from federal availability maps (for where mobile broadband service is reported available). Carrier-specific performance, indoor coverage reliability, and precise shares of smartphones vs. feature phones are generally not published at the county level in a standardized, public dataset.

Network availability (coverage) vs. household adoption (subscription)

Network availability describes where providers report mobile broadband service (e.g., 4G LTE or 5G) as available geographically.
Household adoption describes whether households actually subscribe to or use mobile internet services (e.g., “cellular data plan” as an internet subscription type), regardless of coverage.

These concepts do not move in lockstep: a county can have reported coverage across large areas while still showing lower household subscription rates due to income, affordability, device costs, digital skills, or reliance on fixed broadband where available.

Mobile penetration / access indicators (adoption)

Household internet subscriptions that include cellular data plans

County-level adoption indicators are most directly captured through U.S. Census Bureau estimates of household internet subscription types. These tables distinguish between:

• Households with an internet subscription
• Subscription type, including “cellular data plan” (mobile broadband) and various fixed broadband categories

Public access points for these estimates include:

• The Census Bureau’s primary portal for survey tables and profiles via data.census.gov
• The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) program documentation via Census.gov (ACS)

Limitation: ACS provides estimates with sampling error, and county estimates can have larger margins of error in small-population areas. ACS also measures household subscriptions, not individual device ownership.

Proxy indicators related to access

Commonly used county-level correlates of mobile access include income, age distribution, and disability status (all available through ACS). These factors can affect smartphone ownership and mobile data subscription rates, but they do not directly measure them.

Mobile internet usage patterns and connectivity (4G/5G availability)

Reported 4G LTE and 5G availability

Public, standardized availability information is published through the Federal Communications Commission:

• The FCC’s broadband availability resources, including its map and underlying data, are available via the FCC National Broadband Map.

This source is used to identify where mobile broadband is reported available, typically including:

• 4G LTE availability footprints (often widespread along roads and settled valleys, with weaker coverage in mountainous/forested areas depending on tower siting and spectrum)
• 5G availability footprints (often concentrated in more populated areas and along main corridors; availability varies by provider and technology layer)

Important distinction: FCC availability is provider-reported and reflects where service is claimed to be available at a defined standard; it does not guarantee consistent indoor coverage, actual speeds at peak times, or adoption.

Common rural performance constraints relevant to Morgan County’s terrain

While county-specific performance metrics are not uniformly published, terrain-driven constraints common to Appalachian counties include:

• Line-of-sight obstructions from ridges and dense tree cover, which can reduce signal strength and increase dead zones
• Limited site density outside town centers, contributing to weaker in-building coverage
• Backhaul and tower placement constraints that can affect throughput and latency even where coverage exists

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

County-specific device-type shares (smartphone vs. feature phone vs. hotspot/router) are not typically published in a consistent public dataset.

What can be stated using federal statistical sources:

• The ACS measures household computing devices (desktop/laptop/tablet) and internet subscription types, including cellular data plans, but it does not provide a county-level split of smartphone vs. non-smartphone mobile phones in the way many telecom market reports do.
• For national and some state-level measures of smartphone ownership and mobile-only internet reliance, widely cited benchmarks often come from survey organizations (not consistently available at a Morgan County granularity).

Practical interpretation anchored to available data: County-level “cellular data plan” subscription rates serve as the closest standardized public indicator of mobile-internet reliance, but they do not specify whether connectivity is via smartphone-only plans, dedicated hotspots, or mixed-use arrangements.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage in Morgan County

Geography and settlement patterns

• Mountainous Appalachian terrain tends to produce uneven coverage (strong on ridge-top sites and near towers; weak in hollows/valleys and behind ridgelines).
• Low population density reduces the economic incentive for dense networks, often resulting in fewer sites per square mile compared with urban Kentucky counties.
• Road-corridor concentration is typical in rural Appalachia; mobile coverage is often strongest along primary routes and near town centers.

Socioeconomic factors (adoption side)

Household adoption of mobile internet is often associated with:

• Income and poverty rates
• Housing stability
• Age structure (older populations often show lower adoption of some internet technologies)
• Education levels

These are measurable at the county level through ACS tables and profiles accessed via data.census.gov, but they remain correlates rather than direct measures of mobile device ownership.

State and local planning context (relevant public sources)

Kentucky broadband planning resources can provide contextual information about regional connectivity initiatives and mapping efforts:

• Kentucky’s broadband office information and statewide planning materials are accessible through ConnectKentucky and the Commonwealth’s broadband-related resources (often linked through Kentucky state government portals).
• County-level civic context is available via Morgan County’s official website (not a primary telecom data source, but relevant for local infrastructure and community context).

Summary: what can be stated with high confidence vs. what is limited

• High-confidence, publicly verifiable (county-usable):

  • Rural Appalachian terrain and low density in Morgan County are structural factors that commonly affect coverage uniformity.
  • Reported mobile broadband availability (4G/5G footprints by provider/technology) can be sourced from the FCC National Broadband Map.
  • Household adoption indicators for “cellular data plan” subscriptions are available via data.census.gov (ACS).

• Limited or not consistently available at county level:

  • Precise smartphone vs. feature phone shares for Morgan County.
  • Consistent, public county-level mobile performance metrics (typical speeds, indoor reliability, congestion) across carriers.

This separation between availability (where networks are reported present) and adoption (who subscribes and uses mobile internet at home) is essential for interpreting Morgan County mobile connectivity using standardized public data sources.

Morgan County is in eastern Kentucky within the Appalachian region; its county seat is West Liberty. The county’s largely rural settlement pattern, lower population density, and commuting ties to nearby regional hubs shape how residents access the internet and use social platforms, with mobile connectivity and community-oriented networks tending to play outsized roles compared with urban Kentucky counties.

User statistics (penetration and active use)

• Local, county-level social media penetration: Publicly standardized county-specific social media penetration estimates are generally not published by major survey organizations due to sample-size limits; most reliable figures are available at national and sometimes state levels.
• National benchmark (U.S. adults): Approximately 7 in 10 U.S. adults use social media (long-running national estimates vary by survey year and platform definitions). This is consistently documented in Pew Research Center’s social media fact sheet.
• Interpretation for Morgan County: Rural Appalachian counties typically track below national averages for broadband availability and sometimes for overall internet adoption, which tends to reduce total social media reach while increasing reliance on mobile-first platforms. Context on the rural digital divide is summarized by Pew Research Center’s internet/broadband fact sheet.

Age group trends (who uses social media most)

National survey patterns provide the most reliable age-gradient signal applicable to rural counties:

• Highest usage: 18–29 and 30–49 adults show the highest social media adoption overall, per Pew Research Center social media benchmarks.
• Middle usage: 50–64 adults use social media at lower rates than younger cohorts but remain a majority on at least one platform in most recent Pew reporting.
• Lowest usage: 65+ adults are consistently the least likely to use social media, though adoption has risen over the past decade.
• Platform-by-age: Younger adults over-index on visually and video-forward platforms (notably YouTube, Instagram, TikTok), while older adults over-index on Facebook; these directional patterns are repeatedly shown in Pew’s platform-by-demographic tables.

Gender breakdown

County-level gender splits are not reliably published in representative form; national patterns are stable enough to describe expected differences:

• Women are more likely than men to report using certain platforms (notably Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest), while men are more likely to use some discussion- and content-aggregation platforms (patterns vary by year and platform). Pew’s demographic cross-tabs summarize these differences in its platform demographic breakdowns.
• Overall “any social media” usage tends to show smaller gender gaps than platform-specific usage.

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

The most reliable percentages are national, not county-specific. Recent Pew reporting consistently identifies the following as leading platforms among U.S. adults:

• YouTube and Facebook: Typically the top two by reach among U.S. adults in Pew’s tracking.
• Instagram: Widely used, especially among adults under 50.
• Pinterest: Higher usage among women.
• TikTok: Skews younger; growth has been notable in recent years.
• LinkedIn: More concentrated among college-educated and higher-income users (often lower in rural counties). Source for platform reach and demographic splits: Pew Research Center’s social media fact sheet.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns and preferences)

• Mobile-first usage is more common in rural areas: Rural users are more likely to rely on smartphones for internet access when home broadband is limited, shaping content consumption toward short-form video, messaging, and lightweight browsing. National rural connectivity patterns are documented by Pew’s internet/broadband fact sheet.
• Community and local-information use cases: In rural counties, Facebook groups and local pages often function as community bulletin boards (events, school activities, local news circulation), which aligns with Facebook’s continued broad reach in U.S. adult populations (Pew).
• Video is a dominant engagement mode: YouTube’s consistently high reach nationally supports strong video consumption across age groups, including older adults, relative to other platforms (Pew).
• Messaging and private sharing: Even when public posting frequency is modest, engagement often shifts to private channels (Messenger-style communication, group chats), a common pattern described in broader social media research; Pew findings show many users engage through reading, watching, and sharing rather than frequent public posting.
• Platform preference by age: Younger residents tend to concentrate time on TikTok/Instagram/YouTube, while older residents concentrate on Facebook/YouTube, consistent with Pew’s age-platform splits.

Morgan County, Kentucky family-related public records primarily include vital records (birth and death certificates) maintained at the state level by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. Local access is commonly provided through the county clerk for applications and identity verification; the Morgan County Clerk’s office publishes contact and office information via the Morgan County, KY elected officials directory. Marriage licenses are recorded by the county clerk and indexed locally. Court-adjacent family records (guardianships, certain juvenile matters, and other domestic-related case filings) are handled through the Kentucky Court of Justice; access points and case search tools are listed on the Kentucky Court of Justice (KCOJ) site.

Public databases include statewide court case lookup via KCOJ CourtNet (subscription-based) and public guidance on records access through the KCOJ Open Records page. Vital records ordering and eligibility information are provided by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics.

Access occurs online through state portals and in person at the county clerk and courthouse offices during business hours. Privacy restrictions apply to many records: birth certificates are generally restricted for a statutory period; adoption and many juvenile records are sealed; and some court filings may be confidential or partially redacted under Kentucky law and court rules.

Types of records available

• Marriage records (licenses and certificates/returns)
  Morgan County maintains county-level marriage licensing records. A typical “marriage record” file includes the marriage license issued by the county clerk and the marriage return/certificate completed and signed by the officiant and returned for recording.

• Divorce records (decrees and case files)
  Divorces are handled as civil court cases. Records commonly include the final divorce decree (judgment) and related case documents (petitions/complaints, summons/returns of service, motions, orders, agreements).

• Annulment records (decrees and case files)
  Annulments are also court matters. Records commonly include an order/decree of annulment and associated pleadings and orders within the case file.

Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

• Marriage licenses and recorded marriage returns

  • Filed/recorded with: Morgan County Clerk (county clerk’s office is the recorder for marriage licensing and recording in Kentucky counties).
  • Access methods: Requests are typically handled through the county clerk’s office by in-person or mail request. Older marriage information may also appear in statewide indexes and genealogical databases, but the county clerk’s recorded copy is the county-level source.

• Divorce and annulment decrees/case files

  • Filed with: Morgan County Circuit Court Clerk (court clerk maintains the official court file and final judgments for domestic relations cases, including divorce and annulment).
  • Access methods: Court records are typically available through the circuit court clerk by in-person request and, for some courts, limited remote access through Kentucky’s court records systems or archived records procedures. Certified copies of final judgments are generally issued by the circuit court clerk.

• State-level repositories commonly used for vital events

  • Kentucky’s state vital statistics office maintains statewide vital records; however, divorce records are court records and are typically obtained from the circuit court clerk, while marriage licensing/recording is handled at the county level.

Typical information included in these records

• Marriage licenses / recorded marriage returns

  • Full names of parties
  • Date and place of marriage (as reported on the return)
  • Date the license was issued
  • Officiant name and authority, and officiant signature
  • Names of witnesses (when recorded)
  • Ages or dates of birth (varies by era and form)
  • Residences and places of birth (commonly included on applications; recorded fields vary)
  • Prior marital status (may appear on applications)

• Divorce decrees and case files

  • Case caption (names of parties), case number, and court
  • Date of filing and date of final decree
  • Grounds/statutory basis or findings (as stated in pleadings/orders)
  • Orders on dissolution of marriage and restoration of name (when requested)
  • Child-related provisions: custody, parenting time/visitation, child support, medical support
  • Property division and allocation of debts
  • Spousal maintenance (alimony) provisions (when ordered)
  • Incorporation of settlement agreements (when applicable)

• Annulment decrees and case files

  • Case caption, case number, and court
  • Findings supporting annulment under Kentucky law
  • Decree declaring the marriage void or voidable as adjudicated
  • Provisions addressing children, support, and property issues when included in the court’s orders

Privacy or legal restrictions

• Marriage records

  • Marriage licenses and recorded marriage returns are generally treated as public records. Access may be subject to standard identification requirements for certified copies and fee schedules set by the county clerk.

• Divorce and annulment court records

  • Court files and final judgments are generally public, but Kentucky courts can restrict access to specific documents or information by court order.
  • Confidential information (such as Social Security numbers, certain financial account details, and other protected identifiers) is subject to redaction rules and confidentiality protections under court policies and applicable law.
  • Certain records involving minors or sensitive matters may be sealed or partially restricted by law or order, limiting public inspection even though the case exists.

• Certified copies and identity controls

  • Government offices typically require payment of statutory fees for copies and may require identification for issuance of certified copies, particularly where certification is used for legal purposes.

Morgan County is located in Eastern Kentucky in the Appalachian region, with West Liberty as the county seat. It is a predominantly rural county characterized by small towns, dispersed housing on rural lots and hollows, and a local economy anchored in public services, health/education, and small private employers. The county’s population is small (roughly 13,000–14,000 residents in recent estimates), with many households experiencing below‑statewide median incomes and higher-than-average economic hardship relative to Kentucky overall (context consistent across major federal datasets, including the U.S. Census Bureau and BLS).

Education Indicators

Public schools (district overview and school names)

Morgan County is served primarily by Morgan County Schools (public). The district generally includes an elementary/middle pipeline feeding into one main high school; commonly listed schools include:

• Morgan County High School (West Liberty)
• Morgan County Middle School
• Morgan County Primary School
• Morgan County Intermediate School
  School rosters can change over time (consolidations/renaming). The most reliable current school directory is maintained by the district and state:
• Kentucky Department of Education district profiles and directories: Kentucky Department of Education (KDE)

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• Student–teacher ratio: A commonly used proxy is the district’s staffing ratio reported in state and federal school profile systems; rural eastern Kentucky districts typically fall in the mid‑teens (approximately 14:1–17:1). A precise current-year ratio should be taken from KDE’s district profile (most recent reporting year), as it can vary with enrollment.
• Graduation rate: Morgan County High School’s 4-year cohort graduation rate is reported annually by KDE. Recent years for similar rural districts in the region are often in the high‑80% to low‑90% range, but the authoritative figure is the latest KDE accountability release for Morgan County.

(Direct, continuously updated source for these measures: KDE accountability/reporting pages via KDE; Morgan County-specific dashboards are linked from KDE district/school profiles.)

Adult education levels (countywide)

Countywide adult educational attainment is reported by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5‑year estimates:

• High school diploma (or higher): Morgan County is below the Kentucky and U.S. averages, reflecting regional Appalachian patterns.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: Morgan County is substantially below statewide and national averages, consistent with many rural eastern Kentucky counties.

The most recent standardized county estimates are available through:

• U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov (ACS Educational Attainment)

Notable programs (STEM, vocational, AP)

Programs vary by year and staffing, but typical offerings in Kentucky high schools and many rural districts include:

• Career and Technical Education (CTE): vocational pathways aligned to state CTE programs (often including health science, skilled trades, business/IT, and work-based learning).
• Dual credit/college credit opportunities: often offered through regional community/technical colleges or partner institutions.
• Advanced Placement (AP): availability can be limited in smaller rural schools; where offered, it is typically a small set of core AP courses.

Program availability is most reliably verified through district/school course catalogs and KDE CTE program listings:

• KDE Career and Technical Education

School safety measures and counseling resources

Kentucky public schools commonly report the following safety and student-support structures (specific implementation differs by building):

• School resource officers or law-enforcement coordination, visitor management, controlled entry points, and emergency response drills.
• Counseling services (school counselors) and referrals to regional mental health providers; many districts also participate in state/federal initiatives supporting student mental health and trauma-informed practices.

The most consistent documentation is found in district board policies, school safety plans (where publicly posted), and KDE school safety guidance:

• KDE Safe Schools guidance

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

Morgan County unemployment is tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). The county’s rate typically runs above the U.S. average and often above the Kentucky statewide average, with month-to-month and year-to-year variability.

• Source for the most recent published county rate: BLS LAUS (county unemployment)

Major industries and employment sectors

Based on ACS county industry-of-employment profiles and common regional patterns, the largest employment sectors generally include:

• Educational services and health care/social assistance (often among the largest combined sectors in rural counties due to schools and regional healthcare).
• Retail trade
• Public administration
• Manufacturing and construction (often smaller but locally important)
• Transportation/warehousing and services (varies by commuting linkages and local employers)

Primary source:

• U.S. Census Bureau ACS Industry by Occupation / Industry of Employment

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational composition in Morgan County typically skews toward:

• Service occupations (healthcare support, food service, protective services)
• Office and administrative support
• Sales
• Production and transportation/material moving
• Construction and extraction (smaller share but present regionally)

Primary source:

• ACS Occupation tables (county)

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

Morgan County’s commuting profile reflects rural geography:

• High reliance on driving alone, limited fixed-route transit, and longer trips for specialized jobs.
• Mean commute times in rural Appalachian counties commonly fall in the mid‑20s to low‑30s minutes; Morgan County’s precise mean commute time is reported by ACS.

Primary source:

• ACS Commuting Characteristics (Means of Transportation to Work; Travel Time to Work)

Local employment versus out‑of‑county work

A significant share of residents in small rural counties work outside the county, commonly commuting to nearby employment centers (regional hospitals, larger retail hubs, manufacturing sites, or public sector jobs). The best standardized proxy is ACS “Place of Work” commuting flow indicators (county-to-county commuting shares where available in Census products) and related labor-shed measures.

• Source (commuting/flow data and related products): U.S. Census commuting data resources

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Morgan County’s housing tenure is reported by ACS; rural Kentucky counties generally have higher homeownership rates than urban areas, often around 70%+ owner-occupied with 30% or less renter-occupied (Morgan County’s exact current estimate is in ACS).

• Source: ACS Housing Tenure (owner vs. renter)

Median property values and recent trends

• Median owner-occupied home value in Morgan County is typically well below Kentucky and U.S. medians, reflecting lower land and housing costs in rural Appalachia.
• Recent trends since 2020 in many rural Kentucky markets include moderate price increases, though absolute values remain comparatively low; county-specific trend confirmation requires year-over-year ACS comparisons and/or market datasets (Zillow/Redfin), which are not official statistical sources.

Official median value source:

• ACS Median Value (Owner-Occupied Housing Units)

Typical rent prices

• Median gross rent is reported by ACS and is typically below state and national medians in Morgan County.
• Source: ACS Median Gross Rent

Types of housing

Morgan County’s housing stock is predominantly:

• Single-family detached homes and manufactured housing on rural lots
• Small multifamily properties and limited apartment supply concentrated around West Liberty and near major roads
• A meaningful share of older housing stock, with some homes requiring reinvestment, consistent with regional patterns documented in ACS housing age/quality indicators

Primary source:

• ACS Housing Structure Type and Year Structure Built

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• Housing in and around West Liberty generally offers the closest proximity to schools, county services, and basic retail.
• Outlying areas are more dispersed, with greater distance to schools and healthcare, higher dependence on personal vehicles, and fewer neighborhood-scale amenities.

(These are qualitative community structure characteristics typical of a rural county with a single main town; no single federal table enumerates “proximity to amenities” directly at county scale.)

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

Kentucky property taxes are assessed locally and vary by taxing district (county, school, city, special districts). In general:

• Effective property tax rates in Kentucky are relatively low compared with many states; Morgan County’s effective rate and typical annual bill are best represented by a combination of the county’s assessed value base and the consolidated local rates.
• Official rate and billing information is maintained by local property valuation and tax collection offices:
  • Kentucky Department of Revenue (property tax administration overview)

For Morgan County’s exact current composite rate and typical homeowner tax cost, the authoritative sources are the Morgan County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) and the county sheriff/tax collector publications (not consistently standardized across counties in a single statewide dataset).