County · Kentucky
Knox County, Kentucky
Knox County, Kentucky. Knox County had 29,532 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 2.2% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 5 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 21121.
Knox County is one of the 4 counties of the Corbin, KY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
29,532
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 30,193 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,865
Median household income
$32,527
±$6,385 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$118,700
±$14,145 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$681
±$39 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Knox County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 30,193 residents in Knox County. The Census Bureau estimates 29,532 for July 1, 2025, down 2.2% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 29,865 over 386 square miles of land.
| Measure | Knox County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,865 | 4,534,824 | −1,500 |
| Households | 11,711±337 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.48±0.07 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,866±32 | 2,023,116 | −874 |
Knox County's population since 2000
From 31,795 in 2000 to 29,532 in 2025: down 7.1%. 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 Knox County?
Knox County holds 5 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Barbourville with 3,064 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Barbourville | 3,222 | $22,046 |
|---|---|---|
| Corbin | 7,856 | $51,065 |
| Flat LickGEOID 2127730 | 850 | $17,303 |
| ArtemusGEOID 2102188 | 453 | $21,141 |
| North Corbin | 1,727 | $51,447 |
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 Knox County?
The median resident of Knox County is 39.7 years old; 23.6% are under 18 and 17.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.4%. 0.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Knox County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.7±1.2 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.6%±0.7 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.4%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.3% | 5.0% | +0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.0%±0.4 pts | 81.5% | −0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.9 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.2%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 3.7%±1.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 24.1%±2.2 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.6%±2.1 pts | 6.0% | +3.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 76.9%±2.7 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.6%±2.0 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.5 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 Knox County earn?
Half of Knox County's 11,711 households earn less than $32,527 a year (±$6,385), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $37,144 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 36.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Knox County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $32,527±$6,385 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $50,707±$4,495 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $20,708±$1,622 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 36.9%±3.6 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 46.6%±7.3 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 31.9%±3.9 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3%±3.2 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 Knox County?
Owners occupy 65.3% of Knox County's occupied homes and renters 34.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $118,700 by its owner (±$14,145). The median renter pays $681 a month including utilities, and 42.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Knox County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $118,700±$14,145 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $681±$39 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 42.1%±7.8 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,104±$53 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.3%±3.6 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,866±32 | 2,023,116 | −874 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.5%±3.3 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 56.5%±4.0 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 32.0%±3.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.3%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.9%±1.8 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 Knox County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Knox County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 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 Knox County get to work?
79.8% of Knox County's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.1%.
| Measure | Knox County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 41.5%±2.5 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.1%±3.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±4.2 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±2.7 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8%±2.8 pts | 10.2% | +6.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.4 min±2.4 | 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 Knox County's census tracts?
Knox County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,465 (Tract 9306.04) to $68,125 (Tract 9304.02).
| Tract 930121121930100 | 1,367±398 | $23,678 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 930221121930200 | 3,639±497 | $33,971 |
| Tract 930321121930300 | 2,676±536 | $47,620 |
| Tract 9304.0121121930401 | 4,143±603 | $25,699 |
| Tract 9304.0221121930402 | 3,302±516 | $68,125 |
| Tract 9305.0121121930501 | 3,121±744 | $18,542 |
| Tract 9305.0221121930502 | 3,929±557 | $28,641 |
| Tract 9306.0221121930602 | 1,455±467 | $24,500 |
| Tract 9306.0321121930603 | 2,588±610 | $35,042 |
| Tract 9306.0421121930604 | 1,638±521 | $23,465 |
| Tract 930721121930700 | 2,007±421 | $36,231 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Knox County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 36th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 99th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 46th of 120 |
| Median household income | 117th of 120 |
| Median home value | 92nd of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 91st of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 4th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 98th of 120 |
| Median age | 90th 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 Knox 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.