| Knott County, Kentucky | |
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Knott County courthouse in Hindman, Kentucky
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Location in the state of Kentucky |
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Kentucky's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1884 |
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| Named for | James Proctor Knott, Governor of Kentucky (1883–1887). |
| Seat | Hindman |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
353.01 sq mi (914 km²) 352.19 sq mi (912 km²) 0.82 sq mi (2 km²), 0.23% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
17,649 50/sq mi (19/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website | www.knottky.com |
Knott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1884. As of 2000, the population was 17,649. Its county seat is Hindman[1]. The county is named for James Proctor Knott, Governor of Kentucky (1883–1887). It is a prohibition or dry county. Notable inhabitants include U.S. Congressman Carl D. Perkins, Appalachian author James Still, poet Albert Stewart, country music star David Tolliver from Halfway to Hazard and actress Rebecca Gayheart. Its county seat is home to the Hindman Settlement School, founded as America's first settlement school. The Knott County town of Pippa Passes is home to Alice Lloyd College.
Tourism is increasing in the county, especially the popularity of elk viewing. Knott County and its surrounding counties are home to 5,700 free ranging elk, the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi River.
Knott County tourism has expanded in recent years, with the opening of an ATV Training Center dedicated to the safety of ATV usage amongst riders and the Knott County Sportsplex, a sports complex dedicated to bringing athletic opportunities to people of all ages, through indoor basketball courts, outside baseball fields, a soccer field, and a fitness center.
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According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 353.01 square miles (914.3 km2), of which 352.19 square miles (912.2 km2) (or 99.77%) is land and 0.82 square miles (2.1 km2) (or 0.23%) is water.[2]
| Historical populations | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 5,438 |
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| 1900 | 8,704 | 60.1% | |
| 1910 | 10,791 | 24.0% | |
| 1920 | 11,655 | 8.0% | |
| 1930 | 15,230 | 30.7% | |
| 1940 | 20,007 | 31.4% | |
| 1950 | 20,320 | 1.6% | |
| 1960 | 17,362 | −14.6% | |
| 1970 | 14,698 | −15.3% | |
| 1980 | 17,940 | 22.1% | |
| 1990 | 17,906 | −0.2% | |
| 2000 | 17,649 | −1.4% | |
| http://ukcc.uky.edu/~census/21119.txt | |||
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 17,649 people, 6,717 households, and 4,990 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 per square mile (19 /km2). There were 7,579 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile (8.5 /km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.27% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,717 households out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.60% were married couples living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.30% 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 24.50% under the age of 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $20,373, and the median income for a family was $24,930. Males had a median income of $29,471 versus $21,240 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,297. About 26.20% of families and 31.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.80% of those under age 18 and 23.10% of those age 65 or over.
Knott County has historically voted very strongly for the Democratic Party. In 1992, 75% of Knott County residents voted for Democrat Bill Clinton, the highest percentage for Clinton of any county in the state. However, in recent years, Knott County has voted more favorably for the Republican Party. In 2008, Republican John McCain became the first Republican to win Knott County in a presidential election by winning 55% of the vote to Barack Obama's 44%.[4] In 2005, Governor Ernie Fletcher appointed Republican Randy Thompson as County Judge Executive-the county's first Republican Judge Executive. Thompson won re-election in 2006 and again in 2010, making him the first Republican to win election in a Knott County office. Congressman Hal Rogers has also won Knott County's vote in recent years.
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Rebecca Gayheart an American actress and model. Married to Actor Eric Dane. Most known for her roles in Scream 2, Beverly Hills 90210, Urban Legends, Jawbreaker, and Ugly Betty
James Still Nationally recognized author.
David Tolliver member of the short lived country band Halfway to Hazard.