2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 13,718. The median age was 42.7 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.7 males age 18 and over. [15] [16]
The most reported ancestries in 2020 were English (42.5%), Irish (5.1%), German (3.2%), and Scottish (1.4%). [17]
The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.1% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 0.7% of the population. [16]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. [18]
There were 5,716 households in the county, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 30.9% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [15]
There were 6,551 housing units, of which 12.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.8% were owner-occupied and 25.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%. [15]
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,100 people, 6,170 households, and 4,541 families in the county. The population density was 32 per square mile (12/km2). There were 6,812 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile (5.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.69% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,170 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% 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.
The county population contained 25.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $19,155, and the median income for a family was $23,721. Males had a median income of $26,208 versus $20,613 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,044. About 28.10% of families and 33.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.90% of those under age 18 and 26.80% of those age 65 or over.
United States
Kentucky 
