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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Breathitt County

Kentucky · 16,100 residents · 492.422 sq mi
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The short version

Breathitt County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $19,155. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $32,000. The poverty rate of 33.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 43% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Mid-age
median age 35.9
US median: 35.2
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 19%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,100
+3%since 1990
from 15,703 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
33 / sq mi
+3%since 1990
from 32 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
35.9
+13%since 1990
from 31.8 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K14K15K15K16K1990201020202024Breathitt County
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$19,155
+17%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $12,383 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$11,044
+60%since 1990
from $6,905 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
33.2%
−6.3 ptssince 1990
from 39.5% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$32,000
−19%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $30,000 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$297
+10%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $205 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
76.5%
+4.8 ptssince 1990
from 71.8% in 1990
23.5% rent
Afford Score
1.7
−31%since 1990
from 2.4 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Breathitt County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic99.7%(15,653)
Black0.1%(22)
Hispanic / Latino0.1%(15)
Asian0.2%(28)
Diversity Score1%(162)
2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(15,797)
Black0.4%(62)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(106)
Asian0.3%(47)
Diversity Score3.3%(535)
Diversity Score
3
+223%since 1990
from 1 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.0%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 8.6% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
57.5%
+9.7 ptssince 1990
from 47.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.6 ptssince 1990
from 3.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.6 min
+2%since 1990
from 23.1 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Breathitt County

Sumter County
Pop 11,588
Stone County
Pop 12,703
Desha County
Pop 9,984
Lowndes County
Pop 9,359
Places similar to Breathitt County
Head to head

Compare Breathitt County to nearby counties

BREATHITT COUNTY VS
Wolfe County
Income$30,417+59%
Home value$75,800+137%
Population6,298−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREATHITT COUNTY VS
Magoffin County
Income$33,080+73%
Home value$89,000+178%
Population11,110−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREATHITT COUNTY VS
Perry County
Income$42,181+120%
Home value$91,800+187%
Population26,555+111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREATHITT COUNTY VS
Owsley County
Income$22,188+16%
Home value$80,100+150%
Population3,932−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Breathitt County, Kentucky?

Breathitt County, Kentucky has about 16,100 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Breathitt County, Kentucky?

The typical household in Breathitt County, Kentucky earns about $19,155 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Breathitt County, Kentucky expensive?

In Breathitt County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $32,000, and the typical rent is about $297 a month.

How educated are people in Breathitt County, Kentucky?

About 10.0% of adults age 25 and over in Breathitt County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Breathitt County, Kentucky?

About 33.2% of people in Breathitt County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Breathitt County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Breathitt County, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 397 residents, a change of about 3 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

7 census tracts
Census Tract 9208Census Tract 9202Census Tract 9203.01Census Tract 9205Census Tract 9207Census Tract 9206Census Tract 9203.02
7 ZIP codes
ZIP 41339ZIP 41348ZIP 41317ZIP 41385ZIP 41390ZIP 41366ZIP 41310
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →