Breathitt County, Kentucky

Breathitt County
Breathitt County Courthouse in Jackson
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 37°31′N 83°19′W / 37.52°N 83.32°W / 37.52; -83.32
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1839
Named afterJohn Breathitt
SeatJackson
Largest cityJackson
Area
  Total
495 sq mi (1,280 km2)
  Land492 sq mi (1,270 km2)
  Water2.9 sq mi (8 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
13,718
  Estimate 
(2024)
12,804
  Density28/sq mi (11/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitebreathittcounty.ky.gov

Breathitt County (/ˈbrɛˌθɪt/ BREH-thit) is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,718. Its county seat is Jackson. The county was formed in 1839 and was named for John Breathitt, who was Governor of Kentucky from 1832 to 1834. Breathitt County was formerly a dry county, until a public vote in July 2016 passed, allowing alcohol sales.