# Khash County

Khash County (Persian: شهرستان خاش) is in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. Its capital is the city of Khash.

## History

After the 2016 National Census, the villages of Deh-e Rais and Esmailabad were elevated to city status. In 2019, Poshtkuh Rural District was separated from the Central District in the formation of Poshtkuh District, including the new Bilari Rural District. In the same year, Nukabad District was separated from the county in the establishment of Taftan County.

## Demographics
### Population

At the time of the 2006 census, the county's population was 161,918 in 32,478 households. The following census in 2011 counted 155,652 people in 35,476 households. The 2016 census measured the population of the county as 173,821 in 48,396 households.

### Administrative divisions

Khash County's population history and administrative structure over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table.
Khash County Population :
| Administrative Divisions | 2006 | 2011 | 2016 |
| Central District | 111,114 | 107,817 | 115,085 |
| Esmailabad RD | 16,940 | 16,895 | 17,577 |
| Karvandar RD | 6,028 | 6,324 | 7,153 |
| Kuh Sefid RD | 10,603 | 12,069 | 13,773 |
| Poshtkuh RD | 13,612 | 12,237 | 13,587 |
| Sangan RD | 7,248 | 6,187 | 6,411 |
| Esmailabad (city) | | | |
| Khash (city) | 56,683 | 54,105 | 56,584 |
| Irandegan District | 12,432 | 11,170 | 13,323 |
| Irandegan RD | 4,232 | 2,973 | 4,056 |
| Kahnuk RD | 8,200 | 8,197 | 9,267 |
| Deh-e Rais (city) | | | |
| Nukabad District | 38,372 | 36,506 | 44,176 |
| Eskelabad RD | 6,527 | 6,295 | 6,015 |
| Gowhar Kuh RD | 9,100 | 8,383 | 10,078 |
| Nazil RD | 10,573 | 9,335 | 11,097 |
| Taftan-e Jonubi RD | 9,351 | 9,300 | 11,725 |
| Nukabad (city) | 2,821 | 3,193 | 5,261 |
| Poshtkuh District | | | |
| Bilari RD | | | |
| Poshtkuh RD | | | |
| Total | 161,918 | 155,652 | 173,821 |
| RD = Rural District ||||

## Economy and infrastructure
### Infrastructure

The city of Khash was located in the middle of the Iranshahr-Zahedan road. historically, due to the strategic location of the city in the middle of the province, it was the center of the political administration of Iran's Balochistan in the west. The city of Khash is located on the route of the desalinated sea water pipeline from Arabian sea to the east of Iran, which supplies the water needed by industries. Also, the drinking water of the city is supplied through Karvander dam.

### Industries

The people of the city are mainly engaged in the food industry, agriculture in the surrounding areas, mining (especially cement and iron ore) and handicrafts, and trade with Pakistan (and fuel smuggling).
Khash handicrafts show the peak of art, elegance and culture of Khash people. Among the handicrafts of Khash people are needlework, mat weaving, carpet weaving, back and khurjin weaving, coin and mirror embroidery, curtain weaving, goldsmithing, black curtain weaving, financial felt, inlay work, woven fabric, jewelry making, cream, Perivar embroidery, production of musical instruments and making wall hangings are the main handicraft arts in Khash city.

### Public services

In the city of Khash, there is a well-equipped Imam Khomeini hospital, several specialized medical clinics, courts, numerous centers of the police and other law enforcement, security and military forces, a large number of small mosques, as well as the Jame (Grand) Mosque of Khash.

### Education

Khash Islamic Azad University is located in Khash city.
Also, Khash Faculty of Industry and Mining is located in Khash city, which is a branch of Sistan and Baluchistan University. This faculty started its activity in 2013 with the training of mining engineering, computer engineering and industrial engineering, and its purpose is to train expert staff for the industrial and mining development of Khash region.