Population 13,276 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Breathitt County
Household size in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.70 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.46 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.37 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.40 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.30 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Breathitt County are small: just 2.40 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has dropped from 2.70 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.1 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.1 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.7 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.4 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.3 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Breathitt County is 43.4 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 40.1, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.8% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.6% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.1% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Breathitt County as they are nationally: 12.1%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged up 1.4 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Breathitt County
Renters in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.3% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 23.6% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.0% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −4.9 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Breathitt County is largely a place of homeowners: only 23.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About three-quarters of owners (74.7%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 4.9 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.2% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.5% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.9% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Breathitt County: 16.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1986 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +12 | +5 | +6 |
Breathitt County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1990, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $422 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $503 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $476 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $577 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$155 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Breathitt County pays $577 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $155 a month from 2006–10, a 37% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 30.8% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the west; the most affordable are in the north.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Breathitt County
Bachelor's degrees in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.6% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.4% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.2% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.9 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Breathitt County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 16.2%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree is up 5.9 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.4% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 67.2% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 75.4% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 80.7% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +18.3 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in five adults in Breathitt County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 80.7% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 18.3 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Breathitt County has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Kentucky counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Breathitt County
| Period | Breathitt County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.2% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.5% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 10.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.3% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.9 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Breathitt County runs well above the national rate: 9.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Of Kentucky's 120 counties, only six have higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 2.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Breathitt County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breathitt County | 2.40 | 43.4 | 12.1% | 23.4% | 16.9% | 1990 | $577 | 16.2% | 80.7% | 9.3% |
| Owsley County | 2.51 | 47.4 | 8.9% | 29.9% | 23.4% | 1991 | $515 | 7.4% | 68.5% | 14.3% |
| Lee County | 2.40 | 43.4 | 11.9% | 22.3% | 17.2% | 1985 | $548 | 9.2% | 75.6% | 5.8% |
| Jackson County | 2.59 | 41.3 | 8.2% | 22.6% | 12.8% | 1991 | $788 | 9.5% | 76.2% | 4.4% |
| Floyd County | 2.37 | 42.7 | 11.8% | 27.8% | 16.5% | 1982 | $736 | 16.3% | 81.4% | 8.3% |
| Pike County | 2.33 | 42.5 | 9.4% | 24.7% | 15.4% | 1985 | $803 | 18.3% | 82.9% | 4.9% |
| Garrard County | 2.64 | 42.1 | 9.6% | 20.1% | 8.2% | 1985 | $834 | 18.5% | 85.3% | 5.6% |
| Lincoln County | 2.54 | 41.2 | 14.4% | 23.6% | 11.3% | 1987 | $765 | 15.7% | 83.4% | 7.1% |
| Boyle County | 2.31 | 40.7 | 11.5% | 32.0% | 8.9% | 1977 | $771 | 25.6% | 91.4% | 6.3% |
| Wyoming County | 2.63 | 45.5 | 13.0% | 17.5% | 17.6% | 1972 | $670 | 13.5% | 78.6% | 5.5% |
| Marion County | 2.50 | 40.7 | 12.6% | 22.3% | 9.4% | 1985 | $717 | 15.6% | 87.3% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Holmes County, MS · Martin County, TX · Martin County, IN · Marion County, TX · Marion County, GA · Maries County, MO · Magoffin County, KY · Madison County, TX · Madison County, FL · Lynn County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Breathitt County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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