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COUNTY · 2010 ACS

Breathitt County

Kentucky · 13,878 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 $19,906. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $50,900. The poverty rate of 33.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 52% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 40.0
US median: 37.2
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 26%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
13,878
−14%since 2000
from 16,100 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
28 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 33 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
40.0
+11%since 2000
from 35.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K14K15K15K16K1990201020202024Breathitt County
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$19,906
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,155 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,442
+49%since 2000
from $11,044 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
9.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
33.2%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 33.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.548
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information12.7%
US avg: 11.5%
Retail trade8.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Manufacturing4.8%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.6%
US avg: 3.1%
Other services2.7%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance2.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Construction2.3%
US avg: 1.4%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$50,900
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$405
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $297 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
24.7%
−51.9 ptssince 2000
from 76.5% in 2000
22.8% rent
Vacancy rate
17.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 17.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
20.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 18.3% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.6%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 35.8% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.6
+53%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Breathitt County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.1%(15,797)
Black0.4%(62)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(106)
Asian0.3%(47)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.3%(535)
2010
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(13,575)
Black0.3%(43)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(89)
Asian0.5%(67)
Other0.9%(120)
Diversity Score5.7%(785)
Diversity Score
6
+70%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
62.6%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 57.5% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
6.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.4 min
+8%since 2000
from 23.6 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
79.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 77.2% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
13.5%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
2.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
3.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
13.7%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
20.5%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
22.6%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 58.1% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.1% in 2009
Female
48.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
6.3%
−42.4 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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+53%
Home value$75,800+49%
Population6,298−50%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREATHITT COUNTY VS
Magoffin County
Income$33,080+66%
Home value$89,000+75%
Population11,110−12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREATHITT COUNTY VS
Perry County
Income$42,181+112%
Home value$91,800+80%
Population26,555+111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BREATHITT COUNTY VS
Owsley County
Income$22,188+11%
Home value$80,100+57%
Population3,932−69%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Breathitt County, Kentucky?

Breathitt County, Kentucky has about 13,878 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Breathitt County, Kentucky earns about $19,906 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 $50,900, and the typical rent is about $405 a month.

How educated are people in Breathitt County, Kentucky?

About 10.4% 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 shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,825 residents, a change of about -12 percent over that period.

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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

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