Knott County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Knott County
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Knott County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
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 Kentucky's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 1884 |
| Named for | James Proctor Knott |
| Seat | Hindman |
| Largest city | Hindman |
| Area | |
| • Total | 353 sq mi (910 km2) |
| • Land | 352 sq mi (910 km2) |
| • Water | 1.3 sq mi (3 km2) 0.4% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,251  |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
Knott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,346. Its county seat is Hindman. The county was formed in 1884 and is named for James Proctor Knott, Governor of Kentucky (1883–1887). It is a prohibition or dry county. Its county seat is home to the Hindman Settlement School, founded as America's first settlement school. The Knott County town of Pippa Passes is home to Alice Lloyd College.
Contents
History
Knott County was established in 1884 from land given by Breathitt, Floyd, Letcher, and Perry counties. The 1890s-era courthouse, the second to serve the county, burned in 1929.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 353 square miles (910 km2), of which 352 square miles (910 km2) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2) (0.4%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Magoffin County (north)
- Floyd County (northeast)
- Pike County (east)
- Letcher County (south)
- Perry County (southwest)
- Breathitt County (northwest)
Summits
Big Lovely Mountain, 1,401 feet (427 m)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 5,438 | — | |
| 1900 | 8,704 | 60.1% | |
| 1910 | 10,791 | 24.0% | |
| 1920 | 11,655 | 8.0% | |
| 1930 | 15,230 | 30.7% | |
| 1940 | 20,007 | 31.4% | |
| 1950 | 20,320 | 1.6% | |
| 1960 | 17,362 | −14.6% | |
| 1970 | 14,698 | −15.3% | |
| 1980 | 17,940 | 22.1% | |
| 1990 | 17,906 | −0.2% | |
| 2000 | 17,649 | −1.4% | |
| 2010 | 16,346 | −7.4% | |
| 2020 | 14,251 | −12.8% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 14,053 | −14.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2021 |
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As of the census of 2000, there were 17,649 people, 6,717 households, and 4,990 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 per square mile (19/km2). There were 7,579 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.27% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,717 households, out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% 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 24.50% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $20,373, and the median income for a family was $24,930. Males had a median income of $29,471 versus $21,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,297. About 26.20% of families and 31.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.80% of those under age 18 and 23.10% of those age 65 or over.
Areas of interest
Tourism is increasing in the county, There is an ATV Training Center dedicated to the safety of ATV usage amongst riders and the Knott County Sportsplex, a sports complex which has indoor basketball courts, outside baseball fields, a soccer field, and a fitness center.
Communities
Cities
- Hindman (county seat)
- Pippa Passes
- Vicco (part)
Unincorporated communities
In popular culture
- 20th Century Fox filmed several scenes in the county for a nationally released movie Fire Down Below
Economy
Coal companies in Knott County
- Alpha Natural Resources
- James River Coal Company
Education
Knott County Schools
- Knott County Central High School
- Knott County Area Technology Center
- Beaver Creek Elementary
- Carr Creek Elementary
- Cordia School
- Emmalena Elementary
- Hindman Elementary
- Jones Fork Elementary
Private schools
- Bethel Christian Academy
- Hindman Settlement School
- June Buchanan School
Higher education
- Knott County Campus of Hazard Community and Technical College
- Alice Lloyd College
Infrastructure
Transportation
Public transportation is provided by LKLP Community Action Partnership with demand-response service and scheduled service from Hindman to Hazard.
Notable residents
- Lige Clarke (1942−1975), LGBT activist, journalist and author
- Rebecca Gayheart (born 1971), actress and model
- Carl Dewey Perkins (1912−1984), politician and member of the United States House of Representatives
- James Still (1906–2001), author folklorist
- David Tolliver, musician; member of country band Halfway to Hazard
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Knott para niños
