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Johnson County, KY
3 cities and towns and 17 ZIP codes in Johnson County, Kentucky.
Population
22,334
Land area
262sq mi
People per sq mi
85
ZIP codes
17
Cities and towns in Johnson County
Johnson County at a glance
- Johnson County is 26% less dense than Kentucky as a whole.
- The median household income is $44,904, 30% below the Kentucky median of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $120,200 (42% below Kentucky) and median rent is $708 a month.
- Its largest cities are Paintsville (4,203), West Van Lear (1,155) and Van Lear (443).
Local data for Johnson County, KY
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes1
- Schools15
- Colleges1
- Libraries1
- Banks7
- Post Offices13
- Parks4
- Grocery Stores15
- Restaurants52
- Affordable Housing2
- Home Health Agencies1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Community Health Centers5
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment6
- Private Schools2
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Historic Places38
Housing and community stats
Johnson County, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$44,904
Poverty rate
22.8%
Median home value
$120,200
Prices +7.1% in a year
Median rent
$708/mo
Homeownership
68.3%
Bachelor's or higher
16.8%
Median age
42.0
Average commute
23.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (2,630), German Americans (1,420), Scottish Americans (345).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
5.7%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$45,814
5,322 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$44,314
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$160M
FY 2026, $7,074 per person
PPP loans
$17M
286 loans, 3,026 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$84.28K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Johnson County, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone83.3%
- Carpooled7.8%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.4%
- Worked from home6.9%
Average one-way commute: 23.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Johnson County, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
444
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
211
2.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
86° / 23°F
46.2 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone38 historic places
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Johnson County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Johnson County, KY?
- Paintsville is the largest city or town in Johnson County, with about 4,203 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Johnson County?
- Johnson County includes 17 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 41204, 41219, 41222, 41226, 41234.
- What is the population of Johnson County, KY?
- About 22,334 people live in Johnson County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Johnson County?
- Johnson County borders Floyd County, Lawrence County, Morgan County, Magoffin County, Martin County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023