Breathitt County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Breathitt County
|
|
|---|---|
Breathitt County Courthouse in Jackson
|
|
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
|
|
 Kentucky's location within the U.S. |
|
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 1839 |
| Named for | John Breathitt |
| Seat | Jackson |
| Largest city | Jackson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 495 sq mi (1,280 km2) |
| • Land | 492 sq mi (1,270 km2) |
| • Water | 2.9 sq mi (8 km2) 0.6%% |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 13,718 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
12,953  |
| • Density | 27.713/sq mi (10.700/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
Breathitt County (pronounced BREH-thit) is a county in eastern Kentucky. In 2020, about 13,718 people lived there. The main town and county seat is Jackson.
The county was created in 1839. It was named after John Breathitt. He was the Governor of Kentucky from 1832 to 1834. For a long time, Breathitt County did not allow alcohol sales. But in July 2016, people voted to allow it.
Contents
History of Breathitt County
The land that is now Breathitt County has a long history. In 1772, this area was part of a very large county called Fincastle County, Virginia. Later, in 1776, it became part of Kentucky County, Virginia.
Kentucky County was divided into three parts in 1780. One of these parts was Lincoln County. Over the years, parts of Lincoln County were used to create new counties. Finally, on February 6, 1839, Breathitt County was formed. It was made from parts of Clay, Estill, and Perry Counties. The county was named to honor Governor John Breathitt.
Geography of Breathitt County
Breathitt County covers about 495 square miles (1,282 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 492 square miles (1,274 square kilometers). The rest, about 2.9 square miles (7.5 square kilometers), is water.
The North and Middle Forks of the Kentucky River flow through the county. These rivers are the main waterways in the area.
Counties Nearby
Breathitt County shares borders with several other counties:
- Wolfe County - to the northwest
- Magoffin County - to the northeast
- Knott County - to the east
- Perry County - to the southeast
- Owsley County - to the southwest
- Lee County - to the west
People of Breathitt County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 2,195 | — | |
| 1850 | 3,785 | 72.4% | |
| 1860 | 4,980 | 31.6% | |
| 1870 | 5,672 | 13.9% | |
| 1880 | 7,742 | 36.5% | |
| 1890 | 8,705 | 12.4% | |
| 1900 | 14,322 | 64.5% | |
| 1910 | 17,540 | 22.5% | |
| 1920 | 20,614 | 17.5% | |
| 1930 | 21,143 | 2.6% | |
| 1940 | 23,946 | 13.3% | |
| 1950 | 19,964 | −16.6% | |
| 1960 | 15,490 | −22.4% | |
| 1970 | 14,221 | −8.2% | |
| 1980 | 17,004 | 19.6% | |
| 1990 | 15,703 | −7.7% | |
| 2000 | 16,100 | 2.5% | |
| 2010 | 13,878 | −13.8% | |
| 2020 | 13,718 | −1.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 12,953 | −6.7% | |
| US Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 |
|||
In 2000, there were 16,100 people living in Breathitt County. About 34% of homes had children under 18. The average age of people in the county was 36 years old.
Economy in Breathitt County
The economy in Breathitt County has historically included coal mining. Some coal companies that have operated here include Arch Coal and US Coal.
Education in Breathitt County
Breathitt County has several schools for students of all ages.
Schools for Kids (K-12)
There are two main school districts in the county. The Jackson Independent School District serves parts of Jackson. The Breathitt County School District covers the rest of Jackson and the county.
The Jackson school district has one school, Jackson City School, for grades K-12. The county school district runs several schools, including:
- Sebastian Elementary School (opened 1970)
- Highland-Turner Elementary School (opened 1992)
- Breahitt Elementary School
- Breathitt County High School (new school opened 1982)
There are also some private schools:
- Mount Carmel School in Vancleve
- Oakdale Christian Academy in Jackson
- Riverside Christian School in Lost Creek
Colleges and Higher Learning
For students who want to continue their education after high school, there are a few options:
- Lees College Campus of Hazard Community and Technical College in Jackson. This is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.
- Kentucky Mountain Bible College in Vancleve.
Breathitt Area Technology Center
The Breathitt Area Technology Center helps students learn job skills. It is located at Breathitt County High School. This school offers special programs in areas like:
- Automotive Technology
- Construction Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Health Sciences
- Office Technology
UK Robinson Station
In the community of Quicksand, there is a special research center. It is called the University of Kentucky Robinson Station. This center studies agriculture and forestry. It helps local farmers and helps us learn more about plants and trees.
Communities in Breathitt County
City
- Jackson (This is the main town and county seat.)
Small Towns and Areas
- Altro
- Bays
- Caney
- Canoe
- Chenowee
- Clayhole
- Cockrell Fork
- Crockettsville
- Elkatawa
- Evanston
- Fishtrap
- Flintville
- Frozen/Frozen Creek
- Fugates Fork
- Guage
- Haddix
- Hardshell Caney
- Hayes Branch
- Leatherwood
- Lost Creek
- Morris Fork
- Ned
- Nix Branch
- Noble
- Noctor
- Oakdale
- Portsmouth
- Quicksand
- River Caney
- Riverside
- Rose Branch
- Rousseau
- Rowdy
- Saldee
- Sebastians Branch
- Shoulder Blade/Shoulderblade
- Smith Branch
- South Fork
- Stevenson
- Troublesome Creek
- Turners Creek
- Vancleve
- War Creek
- Watts
- Whick
- Wilstacy
- Wolf Coal
Nature Viewing
In the area called Southfork, you can visit a special place to see animals. You might spot elk and even wild horses there!
Famous People from Breathitt County
- Jeffrey Reddick: He was born in Jackson and is known for writing the Final Destination movies.
- Sturgill Simpson: This country music singer was born in Jackson and spent much of his childhood there.
- Chad Warrix: He is a member of the country music duo Halfway to Hazard.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Breathitt para niños
