Powell County, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Powell County
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Powell County courthouse in Stanton
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Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
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 Kentucky's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Kentucky |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Named for | Lazarus W. Powell |
| Seat | Stanton |
| Area | |
| • Total | 180 sq mi (500 km2) |
| • Land | 179 sq mi (460 km2) |
| • Water | 1.1 sq mi (3 km2) 0.6% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13,129 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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12,972  |
| • Density | 72.9/sq mi (28.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 6th |
Powell County is a county located in the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,129. Its county seat is Stanton. The county was formed January 7, 1852, by Kentucky Governor Lazarus W. Powell from parts of Clark, Estill, and Montgomery counties. It is no longer a dry county as of 2018. Powell County is home to Natural Bridge State Resort Park and the Red River Gorge Geologic Area, two of Kentucky's most important natural areas and ecotourism destinations, as well as the Pilot Knob State Nature Preserve.
Contents
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 180 square miles (470 km2), of which 179 square miles (460 km2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2) (0.6%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Montgomery County (north)
- Menifee County (northeast)
- Wolfe County (southeast)
- Lee County (south)
- Estill County (southwest)
- Clark County (northwest)
National protected area
- Daniel Boone National Forest (part)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 2,257 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,599 | 15.2% | |
| 1880 | 3,639 | 40.0% | |
| 1890 | 4,698 | 29.1% | |
| 1900 | 6,443 | 37.1% | |
| 1910 | 6,268 | −2.7% | |
| 1920 | 6,745 | 7.6% | |
| 1930 | 5,800 | −14.0% | |
| 1940 | 7,671 | 32.3% | |
| 1950 | 6,812 | −11.2% | |
| 1960 | 6,674 | −2.0% | |
| 1970 | 7,704 | 15.4% | |
| 1980 | 11,101 | 44.1% | |
| 1990 | 11,686 | 5.3% | |
| 2000 | 13,237 | 13.3% | |
| 2010 | 12,613 | −4.7% | |
| 2020 | 13,129 | 4.1% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 12,972 | 2.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2020 |
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Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Powell County is home to Natural Bridge State Resort Park. The park is abundant with Native American relics, shelters, and burial grounds. The main attraction is the bridge itself, a natural arch with more than 15 million pounds (6,800 t) of rock in suspension. It is 30 feet (9.1 m) wide at the top and 85 feet (26 m) at the base; one of the more than 70 natural arches located in the area.
Communities
Cities
Unincorporated community
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Powell (Kentucky) para niños
