Knott County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Knott County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 14,046. It is the 78th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Knott County is 44.4 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Knott County is $37,736. This is 40% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.9%. This is 61% 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 11.6%. This is 141% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $74,600. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Knott County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Knott County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.9%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 72.8%.