Breathitt County, Kentucky

Infobox U.S. County
county = Breathitt County
state = Kentucky


founded year = 1839
founded date =
seat wl = Jackson
area_total_sq_mi = 495
area_total_km2 = 1283
area_land_sq_mi = 495
area_land_km2 = 1283
area_water_sq_mi = 0
area_water_km2 = 0
area percentage = 0.02%
census yr = 2000
pop = 16100
density_sq_mi = 14
density_km2 = 5
time zone = Eastern
UTC offset = -5
DST offset = -4
footnotes =
web = www.breathittcounty.com
named for = John Breathitt, Governor of Kentucky (1832–1834)

Breathitt County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1839. As of the 2000 US Census, the population is 16,100. Its county seat is Jackson, KentuckyGR|6. The county is named for John Breathitt who was Governor of Kentucky from 1832 to 1834. Breathitt is a prohibition or dry county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 495 square miles (1,283 km²), of which, 495 square miles (1,283 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (0 km²) of it (0.02%) is water.

History

During World War I, this county attained national prominence by filling its quota of service men by volunteers. No men had to be drafted from Breathitt, the only county in U.S. with this record. During war 3,912 men registered, 405 volunteered; of 324 called, 281 were inducted and 43 rejected. Kentuckians ranked among highest in nation in physical fitness

Adjacent counties

*Wolfe County (northwest)
*Magoffin County (northeast)
*Knott County (east)
*Perry County (southeast)
*Owsley County (southwest)
*Lee County (west)

Demographics

USCensusPop
1840= 2195
1850= 3785
1860= 4980
1870= 5672
1880= 7742
1890= 8705
1900= 14322
1910= 17540
1920= 20614
1930= 21143
1940= 23946
1950= 19964
1960= 15490
1970= 14221
1980= 17004
1990= 15703
2000= 16100
estimate=
estyear=
estref=
footnote=http://ukcc.uky.edu/~census/21025.txt

As of the 2000 US Census, there were 16,100 people, 6,170 households, and 4,541 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (13/km²). There were 3 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.69% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 6,170 households out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $19,155, and the median income for a family was $23,721. Males had a median income of $26,208 versus $20,613 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,044. About 28.10% of families and 33.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.90% of those under age 18 and 26.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Jackson
*Quicksand
*Turner's Creek

Education

Jackson Independent Schools

Jackson Independent Schools is a school district that educates students inside and outside the city limits of Jackson, Kentucky.
*Jackson City School - a single K-12 facility.

Breathitt County Schools

Breathitt County Schools is another school district with an array of schools within the city limits of Jackson, Kentucky and throughout the county.
*L.B.J. Elementary School
*Highland-Turner Elementary School
*Rousseau Elementary School
*Marie Roberts-Caney Elementary School
*Sebastian Middle School
*Breathitt County High School

Private Schools

* Mount Carmel Schools
* Oakdale Christian Academy
* Riverside Christian Schools

Higher Education

* Lees College Campus of Hazard Community and Technical College (part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System)
* Kentucky Mountain Bible College

Breathitt Area Technology Center

The Breathitt Area Technology Center serves both the Jackson Independent and the Breathitt County school districts. The school is located in Jackson, Kentucky. The school is operated by the state of Kentucky. While most of the funding comes from the state, much of the equipment is purchased with federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act funds, which are aimed at advancing technical education.

The focus of the school is that of technical education. The Breathitt ATC offers the following technical programs:
*Automotive Technology
*Construction Technology
*Electrical Technology
*Health Sciences
*Office Technology

UK Robinson Station

The community of Quicksand is the location for the University of Kentucky Robinson Station. This agriculture research facility is a pivotal asset in Breathitt County, furthering the scientific studies in the areas of agriculture and forestry.

ee also

*Dry counties

References

External links

* [http://www.kentuckyhighlands.com/kh/counties/breathitt_county.asp The Kentucky Highlands Project]
* [http://www.breathittmuseum.com The Breathitt County Museum] - Provides a wealth of information on the rich history of Breathitt County.
* [http://ces.ca.uky.edu/robinsonstation UK Robinson Station] http://www.breathittcounty.com - hundreds of photos and articles about Breathitt County