Knox

Formed December 19, 1799 (40^th county)

Knox County (30,196), Barbourville (3,215)                

The 1964 version of the Knox County courthouse is on Court Square surrounded by Main and Knox streets.  United States Highway 25 East is seven blocks to the east of the location.  The Modern Colonial Revival tan brick courthouse was designed by Perkins, Threadgill, and Associates.  The structure features columns and the grounds have multiple gazebos and a statue of Daniel Boone.  The county was created on December 19, 1799 from Lincoln County as the 40^th county.  There previously was an 1874 courthouse in Barbourville, the only county seat.  Secretary of War Henry Knox inspired the name of the county.  City founder James Barbour is the namesake for the county seat.  Knox County was the birthplace of 1 Kentucky Governor, James D. Black. 

Knox County government consists of a sheriff, County Judge Executive, and 4 Magistrates.  Two Circuit Court Judges, Three District Court Judges, and One Family Court Judge serve Knox and Laurel counties.  The county is in southern Kentucky.  Lexington, Kentucky is northwest and Bowling Green, Kentucky is west of the county.  The county center is 6 miles North of Barbourville nearer Heidrick.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Clay, Bell, Whitley, and Laurel counties. 

The area of the county is 388 square miles.  It is 35 out of 120 in the state.  It ranks 35 out of 120 in population in the state.  It has a density of 77.8 persons per square mile making it 46 out of 120 in the state.  Knox County has 16.9% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 25 East goes northwest to southeast in the county from Laurel County to Bell County.  The county’s overall shape looks like a diamond.  Barbourville is in the southwestern quarter of the county.  Barbourville is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 10.7% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced BAR-BER-VIL.