County · Kentucky
Breathitt County, Kentucky
Breathitt County, Kentucky. Breathitt County had 12,558 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 8.5% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 21025.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
12,558
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,718 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,276
Median household income
$34,808
±$3,824 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$70,300
±$10,295 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$548
±$47 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Breathitt County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 13,718 residents in Breathitt County. The Census Bureau estimates 12,558 for July 1, 2025, down 8.5% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 13,276 over 492 square miles of land.
| Measure | Breathitt County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,276 | 4,534,824 | +299 |
| Households | 5,464±196 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.38±0.09 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,575±24 | 2,023,116 | +217 |
Breathitt County's population since 2000
From 16,100 in 2000 to 12,558 in 2025: down 22.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Breathitt County?
Breathitt County holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Jackson with 2,054 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jackson | 2,237 | $32,683 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Breathitt County?
The median resident of Breathitt County is 42.8 years old; 21.2% are under 18 and 18.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 1.9%.
| Measure | Breathitt County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8±0.9 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.2%±0.6 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.7%±0.4 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.1%±0.7 pts | 5.0% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.0%±0.5 pts | 81.5% | −0.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.9%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 31.9%±2.5 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.2%±1.6 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.3%±2.4 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.3%±2.7 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.6%±1.6 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Breathitt County earn?
Half of Breathitt County's 5,464 households earn less than $34,808 a year (±$3,824), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $33,652 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 33.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Breathitt County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $34,808±$3,824 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $51,653±$3,979 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,593±$1,585 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 33.1%±4.0 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 42.1%±8.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 34.5%±3.6 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 81.2%±3.0 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Breathitt County?
Owners occupy 76.6% of Breathitt County's occupied homes and renters 23.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $70,300 by its owner (±$10,295). The median renter pays $548 a month including utilities, and 33.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Breathitt County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $70,300±$10,295 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $548±$47 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.4%±12.3 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,151±$137 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.6%±3.3 pts | 68.3% | +5.6 pts |
| Housing units | 6,575±24 | 2,023,116 | +217 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.5%±3.8 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 49.7%±3.5 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 41.3%±3.7 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.9 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.7%±1.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Breathitt County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Breathitt County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Breathitt County get to work?
71.7% of Breathitt County's workers drive alone and 7.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.3%.
| Measure | Breathitt County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 42.8%±3.4 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.3%±3.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.7%±5.6 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 17.0%±4.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±1.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.0%±2.7 pts | 10.2% | +5.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.2 min±3.0 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Breathitt County's census tracts?
Breathitt County is divided into 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,491 (Tract 9208) to $42,476 (Tract 9203.02).
| Tract 920221025920200 | 2,180±303 | $51,583 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9203.0121025920301 | 1,845±366 | $33,533 |
| Tract 9203.0221025920302 | 1,429±247 | $42,476 |
| Tract 920521025920500 | 1,757±285 | $37,278 |
| Tract 920621025920600 | 1,453±334 | $24,044 |
| Tract 920721025920700 | 1,753±299 | $33,676 |
| Tract 920821025920800 | 2,859±438 | $23,491 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Breathitt County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 80th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 120th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 112th of 120 |
| Median household income | 114th of 120 |
| Median home value | 118th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 114th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 7th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 78th of 120 |
| Median age | 29th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Breathitt County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.