# Powell County, Kentucky

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.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 180 square miles (470 km$^2$), of which 179 square miles (460 km$^2$) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km$^2$) (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
### 2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,237 people, 5,044 households, and 3,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 74 per square mile (29/km$^2$). There were 5,526 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the county was 98.56% White, 0.62% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,044 households, out of which 36.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 12.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.00% were non-families. 21.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,515, and the median income for a family was $30,483. Males had a median income of $26,962 versus $18,810 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,060. About 18.90% of families and 23.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.00% of those under age 18 and 20.00% of those age 65 or over.

## Politics

United States presidential election results for Powell County, Kentucky :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 4,092 | 76.22% | 1,174 | 21.87% | 103 | 1.92% |
| 2020 | 4,041 | 73.41% | 1,367 | 24.83% | 97 | 1.76% |
| 2016 | 3,513 | 70.87% | 1,272 | 25.66% | 172 | 3.47% |
| 2012 | 2,766 | 61.73% | 1,620 | 36.15% | 95 | 2.12% |
| 2008 | 2,837 | 57.06% | 2,065 | 41.53% | 70 | 1.41% |
| 2004 | 2,687 | 54.17% | 2,249 | 45.34% | 24 | 0.48% |
| 2000 | 2,258 | 51.77% | 2,008 | 46.03% | 96 | 2.20% |
| 1996 | 1,526 | 36.00% | 2,156 | 50.86% | 557 | 13.14% |
| 1992 | 1,809 | 35.89% | 2,323 | 46.08% | 909 | 18.03% |
| 1988 | 2,128 | 49.98% | 2,113 | 49.62% | 17 | 0.40% |
| 1984 | 2,269 | 58.83% | 1,575 | 40.83% | 13 | 0.34% |
| 1980 | 1,716 | 45.55% | 2,006 | 53.25% | 45 | 1.19% |
| 1976 | 1,148 | 37.90% | 1,859 | 61.37% | 22 | 0.73% |
| 1972 | 1,766 | 58.40% | 1,230 | 40.67% | 28 | 0.93% |
| 1968 | 1,157 | 42.57% | 934 | 34.36% | 627 | 23.07% |
| 1964 | 993 | 37.83% | 1,622 | 61.79% | 10 | 0.38% |
| 1960 | 1,508 | 57.34% | 1,122 | 42.66% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,339 | 49.87% | 1,343 | 50.02% | 3 | 0.11% |
| 1952 | 992 | 44.83% | 1,218 | 55.04% | 3 | 0.14% |
| 1948 | 719 | 41.51% | 975 | 56.29% | 38 | 2.19% |
| 1944 | 902 | 46.71% | 1,023 | 52.98% | 6 | 0.31% |
| 1940 | 989 | 43.57% | 1,266 | 55.77% | 15 | 0.66% |
| 1936 | 998 | 45.43% | 1,185 | 53.94% | 14 | 0.64% |
| 1932 | 826 | 38.69% | 1,300 | 60.89% | 9 | 0.42% |
| 1928 | 1,160 | 61.31% | 732 | 38.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 724 | 42.87% | 939 | 55.60% | 26 | 1.54% |
| 1920 | 835 | 44.32% | 1,038 | 55.10% | 11 | 0.58% |
| 1916 | 587 | 43.68% | 757 | 56.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 381 | 31.83% | 647 | 54.05% | 169 | 14.12% |
In recent federal elections, Powell County has been reliably Republican.

### Local government

The Powell County courthouse is located at 525 Washington St in Stanton.

### Elected officials

Elected officials as of January 3, 2025 :
| U.S. House | Andy Barr (R) | KY 6 |
| Ky. Senate | Brandon Smith (R) | 30 |
| Ky. House | Bill Wesley (R) | 91 |

## 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

* Clay City
* Stanton (county seat)

### Unincorporated community

* Slade