Breathitt County, KY

County

2024 Population

13,276

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

42.8

0.465% 1-year decrease

2024 Poverty Rate

33.1%

17.7% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$34,808

15.3% 1-year decline

2024 Median Property Value

$70,300

13.8% 1-year growth

Population & Diversity

Breathitt County, KY is home to a population of 13.3k people, from which 99.8% are citizens.

As of 2024, 0.324% of Breathitt County, KY residents were born outside of the country (43 people).

In 2024, there were 71.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (12.7k people) in Breathitt County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 178 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) and 114 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.8%

2024 Citizenship

99.4%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 99.8% of Breathitt County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Breathitt County, KY was 99.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Breathitt County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Breathitt County, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
12.7k ± 61
Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
178 ± 108
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
114 ± 91

1.12%

Hispanic Population

149 people

1.12% of the people in Breathitt County, KY are hispanic (149 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Breathitt County, KY as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
34,417 ± 4,537 people
Cuba
21,613 ± 3,601 people
India
11,987 ± 2,684 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 34,417 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 21,613 and India with 11,987.

Foreign-Born Population

0.324%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

43 people

0.714%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

96 people

As of 2024, 0.324% of Breathitt County, KY residents (43 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Breathitt County, KY was 0.714%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Breathitt County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
169 ± 82
Gulf War (2001-)
105 ± 60
Gulf War (1990s)
42 ± 40

Breathitt County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.61 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Breathitt County, KY.

Health

96.8% of the population of Breathitt County, KY has health coverage, with 25.9% on employee plans, 48.8% on Medicaid, 13% on Medicare, 8.05% on non-group plans, and 1.11% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Breathitt County, KY see 2,259 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,259 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 6676 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 418 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.4% were men and 50.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,259 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Breathitt County, KY

Primary care physicians in Breathitt County, KY see an average of 2,259 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (2,259 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Breathitt County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Location of Health Services Facilities

Health Service Type

Top 5 Health Facilities Servicing the Greatest Number of Addresses

Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4001
Health Practice Name
12345 Community Center Dr., Hayward, CA 94540 Census Tract # 4002

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.3% under 18 years, 18% between 18 and 34 years, 41.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 18.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.4% were men and 50.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

3.18%

Uninsured

25.9%

Employer Coverage

48.8%

Medicaid

13%

Medicare

8.05%

Non-Group

1.11%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Breathitt County, KY grew by 16.8% from 2.72% to 3.18%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Breathitt County, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.98 in Breathitt County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Breathitt County, KY.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 43.1% in Breathitt County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Breathitt County, KY.

Clinical Care

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 6.65% in Breathitt County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Breathitt County, KY.

Economy

The economy of Breathitt County, KY employs 4.2k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Breathitt County, KY were Educational Services (719 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (638 people), and Retail Trade (468 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($73,958), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($68,438), and Transportation & Warehousing ($67,813).

Employment

Occupations

4.2k

2024 Value

± 463

−8.19%

1 Year decline

± 15.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Breathitt County, KY declined at a rate of −8.19%, from 4.57k employees to 4.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Breathitt County, KY, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (500 people), Production Occupations (452 people), and Management Occupations (409 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Breathitt County, KY.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.2k

2024 Value

± 463

−8.19%

1 Year decline

± 15.9%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Breathitt County, KY declined at a rate of −8.19%, from 4.57k employees to 4.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Breathitt County, KY, are Educational Services (719 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (638 people), and Retail Trade (468 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Breathitt County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Breathitt County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,173

Median earning men ± $4,757

$29,932

Median earning women ± $5,493

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($68,616), Wholesale Trade ($67,545), and Construction ($54,250).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($48,750), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($45,875), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($43,750).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Y-Axis

2.51%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.98M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.51% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

14
Retail Trade
13
Health Care and Social Assistance
11
Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$29.4k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$12.1k
Retail Trade
$5k
Finance and Insurance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Education

The student population of Breathitt County, KY in 2024 is skewed towards men, with 56 male students and 38 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Breathitt County, KY are White (13 and 86.7%), Two or More Races (1 and 6.67%), and Hispanic or Latino (1 and 6.67%).

The largest universities in Breathitt County, KY by number of degrees awarded are Kentucky Mountain Bible College (15 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Breathitt County, KY are Biblical Studies (8 and 53.3%), Religious Studies (7 and 46.7%), and General Music (0 and 0%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $9,450.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Breathitt County, KY, the percentage of applicants admitted was 100%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 54.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 94 (59.6% men and 40.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2024 there were 94 students enrolled in Breathitt County, KY, 59.6% men and 40.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 84 records, of which 40.5% were women and 59.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Biblical Studies

Most Common

8 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Breathitt County, KY was Biblical Studies with 8 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Breathitt County, KY according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Kentucky Mountain Bible College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

15 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kentucky Mountain Bible College with 15 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 7 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Breathitt County, KY, which is 0.875 times less than the 8 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 13 degrees mean that there were 13 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 1 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($9,450) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($910) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($500) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Breathitt County, KY was $70,300 in 2024, which is 0.211 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $61,800 to $70,300, a 13.8% increase. The homeownership rate in Breathitt County, KY is 76.6%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Breathitt County, KY have an average commute time of 28.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Breathitt County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 14.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Breathitt County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.0861%.

Housing

Property

$70,300

Median Property Value 2024

±$10,295

$4,185

Median Property Taxes

±$354

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Breathitt County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Breathitt County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

76.6%

Homeownership

2024

55%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 76.6% of the housing units in Breathitt County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Breathitt County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$34,808

Median Household Income

± $3,824

5.46k

Number of Households

± 460

In 2024, the median household income of the 5.46k households in Breathitt County, KY declined from $34,808 from the previous year's value of $41,101.

The following chart displays the households in Breathitt County, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $10k - $15k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Breathitt County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.446

2024 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.449

2023 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2024, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.446 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.585% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (71.7%)
Carpooled (17%)
Worked At Home (7.04%)

In 2024, 71.7% of workers in Breathitt County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (17%) and those who worked at home (7.04%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

28.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Breathitt County, KY have a longer commute time (28.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 9.41% of the workforce in Breathitt County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Breathitt County, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Breathitt County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Breathitt County, KY have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 14.7% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Breathitt County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 0.0861%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

33.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Breathitt County, KY (4.33k out of 13.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Breathitt County, KY is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 37.3% of the children was living in poverty in Breathitt County, KY. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.9%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798, followed by New York (5,087).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 29.9 in Breathitt County, KY. From 2019 to 2022, the indicator grew 0% per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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