Geography

---

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,283 km² (495 mi²). 1,283 km² (495 mi²) of it is land and 0 km² (0 mi²) of it (0.02%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Wolfe County (northwest)
• Magoffin County (northeast)
• Knott County (east)
• Perry County (southeast)
• Owsley County (southwest)
• Lee County (west)

Demographics

---

2000 16,100
1990 15,703
1980 17,004
1970 14,221
1960 15,490
1950 19,964
1940 23,946
1930 21,143
1920 20,614
1910 17,540
1900 14,322
1890 8,705
1880 7,742
1870 5,672
1860 4,980
1850 3,785
1840 2,195

'''Breathitt County Population by year

As of the census² of 2000, there were 16,100 people, 6,170 households, and 4,541 families residing in the county. The population density was 13/km² (32/mi²). There were 6,812 housing units at an average density of 5/km² (14/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.69% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,170 households out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $19,155, and the median income for a family was $23,721. Males had a median income of $26,208 versus $20,613 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,044. About 28.10% of families and 33.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.90% of those under age 18 and 26.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

---

• Jackson

Home of the 1995, 1996, & 2002 All A State Champions the Breathitt County High School Bobcat football team. Also located in Breathitt County is the University of Kentucky Robinson Station. This agriculture research facility is a pivitol organization in Breathitt County.

Breathitt County is also home to the famous duo of Jonathan Herald and Megan Hudson who from 2005 - 2006 went on a crime spree robbing banks along the eastern Kentucky border. People have compared them to Bonnie and Clyde yet, it seems that this duo actually managed to disappear completely off of police radars. Most people believe they escaped into Canada somewhere.

See also

---

• Dry counties

External links

---

• The Kentucky Highlands Project

Breathitt County, Kentucky | Kentucky counties | Dry counties of Kentucky

Breathitt County | Condado de Breathitt