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Knox County, KY
3 cities and towns and 15 ZIP codes in Knox County, Kentucky.
Population
29,865
Land area
386sq mi
People per sq mi
77
ZIP codes
15
Cities and towns in Knox County
Knox County at a glance
- Knox County is 33% less dense than Kentucky as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $32,527 a year, 49% less than the Kentucky figure of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $118,700 (42% below Kentucky) and median rent is $681 a month.
- The biggest population centers are Barbourville (3,146), Flat Lick (634) and Artemus (426).
Local data for Knox County, KY
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Knox County, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$32,527
Poverty rate
36.9%
Median home value
$118,700
Prices +3.1% in a year
Median rent
$681/mo
Homeownership
65.3%
Bachelor's or higher
13.6%
Median age
39.7
Average commute
24.4 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Irish Americans (2,841), German Americans (1,396), Scottish Americans (361).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, income, federal spending and pandemic loans
Unemployment rate
6.0%
Sep 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$45,636
7,528 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$41,424
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$194M
FY 2026, $6,418 per person
PPP loans
$22.1M
412 loans, 3,340 jobs reported
Campaign donations
$36.3K
Itemized, 2026 cycle
How people get to work
Knox County, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.8%
- Carpooled9.1%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked0.7%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.5%
- Worked from home8.8%
Average one-way commute: 24.4 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Knox County, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: cold wave
Storm events since 1996
379
Most often thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
77
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
87° / 25°F
53.8 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone7 historic places
Cities, towns and ZIP codes in Knox County
Population shown
Frequently asked questions
- What is the largest city in Knox County, KY?
- Barbourville is the largest city or town in Knox County, with about 3,146 residents.
- How many ZIP codes are in Knox County?
- Knox County includes 15 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas, including 40734, 40771, 40903, 40906, 40915.
- What is the population of Knox County, KY?
- About 29,865 people live in Knox County, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What counties border Knox County?
- Knox County borders Laurel County, Whitley County, Bell County, Clay County.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023