Breathitt County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Breathitt County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 13,438. It is the 80th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Breathitt County is 43.0 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Breathitt County is $41,101. This is 34% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.2%. This is 74% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.3%. This is 93% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $61,800. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Breathitt County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Breathitt County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

16.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.6%.