Kentucky

Breathitt

13,718
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About Breathitt

Breathitt, Kentucky, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 2,195. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 13,718.

Its recorded population peaked at 23,946 in 1940, and has since declined by roughly 43 percent.

On the ground today, 4 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them First Battle of Breathitt County (Jackson), Second Action at Breathitt County (1863), Third Action at Jackson (Breathitt County 1864), and 7 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202013,718
201013,878
200016,100
199015,703
198017,004
197014,221
196015,490
195019,964
194023,946
193021,143
192020,614
191017,540
190014,322
18908,705
18807,742
18705,672
18604,980
18503,785
18402,195
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Breathitt

Military engagements that took place in Breathitt, Kentucky.

First Battle of Breathitt County (Jackson)
1862
Second Action at Breathitt County (1863)
1863
Third Action at Jackson (Breathitt County 1864)
1864
Engagement at Breathitt County (final 1865)
1865

Historic places in Breathitt

National Register of Historic Places listings in Breathitt, Kentucky.

Jackson Commercial District
Jackson
Jackson Post Office
Jackson
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Other counties in Kentucky

Explore census history and historic records for more Kentucky counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Breathitt County, Kentucky

This page charts the census history of Breathitt County, Kentucky. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Breathitt

When does Breathitt first appear in the US census?
Breathitt, Kentucky first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 2,195.
What is the population of Breathitt?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Breathitt had a recorded population of 13,718.
When did Breathitt's population peak?
Breathitt's recorded population peaked at 23,946 in 1940.
Were any battles fought in Breathitt?
4 documented military engagements took place in Breathitt, including First Battle of Breathitt County (Jackson), Second Action at Breathitt County (1863), Third Action at Jackson (Breathitt County 1864).
How many historic places are in Breathitt?
7 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Breathitt, Kentucky.
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