Knott County, Kentucky

{{further|The Forks of Troublesome#Early settlers|Hindman, Kentucky#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.{{Cite book |last=Hogan, Roseann Reinemuth |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hAVlVS29NKIC&q=%22bell+county%22+1914+1918+1976&pg=PA263 |title=Kentucky Ancestry: A Guide to Genealogical and Historical Research |publisher=Ancestry Publishing |year=1992 |isbn=9780916489496 |pages=263 |access-date=July 26, 2013}}

The first elected county officials were county clerk Lewis Hays (an early settler of The Forks of Troublesome defeating fellow early settler F. P. Allen), county judge David Calhoun, county attorney Fielding Johnson, sheriff Madison Pigman, jailer Isom Slone, and county assessor Hiram Maggard.{{Cite book |last=Scalf |first=Henry Preston |title=Kentucky's Last Frontier |publisher=The Overmountain Press |year=2000 |isbn=9781570721656 |pages=151–152 |chapter=The Rising Tide}}

The political lines drawn in the early politics of the county were largely along divisions between the early settler families of The Forks, inherited from Civil War differences.

In a later election Anderson Hays ran against Clabe Jones, who had been on opposite sides in the Civil War, with Jones winning the election.

This caused a feud that lasted several years, with fights and deaths in Hindman.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|353|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|352|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.3|sqmi}} (0.4%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

• Magoffin County (north)
• Floyd County (northeast)
• Pike County (east)
• Letcher County (south)
• Perry County (southwest)
• Breathitt County (northwest)

Big Lovely Mountain, {{convert|1,401|ft|m}}

{{US Census population

| 1890 = 5438

| 1900 = 8704

| 1910 = 10791

| 1920 = 11655

| 1930 = 15230

| 1940 = 20007

| 1950 = 20320

| 1960 = 17362

| 1970 = 14698

| 1980 = 17940

| 1990 = 17906

| 2000 = 17649

| 2010 = 16346

| 2020 = 14251

| estyear = 2024

| estimate = 13438

| estref = {{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|access-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1790-1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900-1990{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}
1990-2000{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=August 17, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} 2010-2020

}}

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 {{convert|50|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 7,579 housing units at an average density of {{convert|22|/sqmi|/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.

• 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

• Bethel Christian Academy
• Hindman Settlement School
• June Buchanan School

• Knott County Campus of Hazard Community and Technical College
• Alice Lloyd College

{{PresHead|place=Knott County, Kentucky|source={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=July 3, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|4,732|1,181|102|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|4,780|1,412|60|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|4,357|1,245|161|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,130|1,420|143|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,070|2,612|138|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|2,648|4,685|61|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|2,029|4,349|80|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,201|4,842|564|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,243|5,500|585|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|1,691|5,185|50|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|1,728|4,487|33|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|1,602|5,405|58|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|962|4,762|55|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|1,479|2,774|34|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,098|3,335|434|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|482|4,739|9|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,412|3,957|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,715|3,987|10|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,124|4,437|21|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|754|4,660|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|803|3,867|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|759|4,434|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|865|3,488|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|747|4,443|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,004|2,822|0|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|886|2,286|21|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|802|2,295|11|Kentucky}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|571|1,454|4|Kentucky}}

{{PresFoot|1912|Democratic|387|1,114|129|Kentucky}}

Knott County had historically voted very strongly for the Democratic Party. In 1992, 75% of Knott County residents voted for Democrat Bill Clinton for US president, the highest percentage for Clinton of any county in the state. However, in recent years, Knott County has voted more favorably for the Republican Party. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican John McCain became the first Republican to win Knott County in a presidential election by winning 52.6% of the vote to Barack Obama's 45%.{{Cite news |year=2008 |title=Presidential Election Results Map |url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/map.html |work=The New York Times}}

When Governor Ernie Fletcher appointed Republican Randy Thompson as County Judge Executive in 2005, it was the first time the county ever had a Republican Judge Executive. Thompson won re-election in 2006 and again in 2010, making him the first Republican to win election in a Knott County office. Randy Thompson was later convicted in federal court of running a vote buying scheme and sentenced to 40 months in the federal prison system.

• Alpha Natural Resources[Alpha Natural Resources - 2012 Kentucky Operations]
• James River Coal Company[http://www.jamesrivercoal.com/leeco.htm James River Coal Company – Leeco complex]

Tourism is increasing in the county,{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} especially the popularity of elk viewing.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} Knott County and its surrounding counties are home to 5,700 free ranging elk, the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi River.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}{{Cite news |title=All About Elk in Kentucky |url=http://www.kentuckytourism.com/articles/all-about-elk-in-kentucky/3106/ |access-date=September 24, 2017 |work=kentuckytourism.com |language=en}} There is an ATV Training Center dedicated to the safety of ATV usage amongst riders and the [http://www.knottcountysportsplex.com Knott County Sportsplex], a sports complex which has indoor basketball courts, outside baseball fields, a soccer field, and a fitness center.

Hometown24

• WKCB-FM
• WKCB-AM
• WWJD-FM

• [http://www.troublesomecreektimes.com/ Troublesome Creek Times]

• Hindman (county seat)
• Pippa Passes
• ViccoKentucky Department of State - Office of Land Management - [http://kygeonet.ky.gov/kycities/index.html?config=config-zoom.xml&layerID=0&where=NAME2=%27Vicco%27|Commonwealth Map] (part)

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Anco
• Bath
• Bearville
• Betty
• Breeding Creek
• Carrie
• Dema (part)
• Elic
• Elmrock
• Emmalena
• Fisty
• Garner
• Handshoe
• Hollybush
• Indian Grave
• Irishmans
• Jones Fork
• Kite
• Leburn
• Littcarr
• Mallie
• Mousie
• Pine Top
• Raven
• Redfox
• Ritchie
• Sassafras
• Slone Fork
• Soft Shell
• Spider
• Talcum
• Tina
• Topmost
• Vest
• Wiscoal

{{div col end}}

Public transportation is provided by LKLP Community Action Partnership with demand-response service and scheduled service from Hindman to Hazard.{{Cite web |title=LKLP Community Action Council, Inc. > Programs > Public Transportation |url=http://www.lklp.org/Programs/Public-Transportation |access-date=May 19, 2015}}

• 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

• 20th Century Fox filmed several scenes in the county for a nationally released movie Fire Down Below

{{Portal|United States}}

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Knott County, Kentucky
• Robinson Forest

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite news |last=Estep |first=Bill |last2=Cheeves |first2=John |date=June 16, 2013 |title=Coal jobs gone, perhaps for good |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/06/16/2679110/in-eastern-kentucky-coal-mines.html |work=Lexington Herald-Leader}}
• {{Cite news |last=Cheeves |first=John |last2=Estep |first2=Bill |date=June 22, 2013 |title=Bombs and bullets in Clear Creek: Knott County's evolution from mining resistance to pro-coal epicenter |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/06/22/2687942/bombs-bullets-in-clear-creek-knott.html |work=Lexington Herald-Leader}}
• {{Cite news |last=Estep |first=Bill |last2=Cheeves |first2=John |date=June 29, 2013 |title=How a Kentucky school teacher stopped a 756-acre surface mine — for now |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/06/29/2696651/how-a-kentucky-school-teacher.html |work=Lexington Herald-Leader}}
• {{Cite news |last=Estep |first=Bill |last2=Cheeves |first2=John |date=July 6, 2013 |title=Pain remains more than 30 years after mine blast killed 8 on Potato Branch |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/07/06/2705174/more-than-400-kentucky-miners.html |work=Lexington Herald-Leader}}
• {{Cite news |last=Cheeves |first=John |last2=Estep |first2=Bill |date=July 13, 2013 |title=How Eastern Kentucky's future chained to coal despite millions spent on diversification |url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/07/13/2713515/eastern-kentuckys-future-chained.html |work=Lexington Herald-Leader}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070210131321/http://www.kentuckyhighlands.com/kh/counties/knott_county.asp The Kentucky Highlands Project]

{{Knott County, Kentucky}}

{{Eastern Mountain Coal Fields (Kentucky)}}

{{Kentucky}}

{{Coord|37.35|-82.95|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Kentucky counties

Category:1884 establishments in Kentucky

Category:Populated places established in 1884