Perry

Formed November 2, 1820 (66^th county)

Perry County (28,465), Hazard (5,259)

The red brick Modern Victorian courthouse, located at Main and Lovern streets, was built in 1964.  Kentucky State Highway 17 is seven blocks to the northwest.  H. A. Spaulding is the architect.  In 2004 a Hall of Justice was constructed next door.  The building features columns.  There were 1871 and 1911 courthouses previously in Hazard, the only county seat.  Perry County was established on November 2, 1820 from Clay and Floyd counties as the 66^th county.  It is named for War of 1812 hero Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.  Hazard is also named for him. 

Perry County government consists of a County Judge Executive, a sheriff, a clerk, an attorney, a treasurer, a coroner, and an appraiser (executive).  It has 3 Magistrates (legislative.)  One Circuit Court Judge, One District Court Judge and a court clerk serve Perry County (judicial.) Perry County is situated in the southeast part of the state.  Huntington, West Virginia is northeast and Lexington, Kentucky is northwest of the county.  The county center is 1.5 miles West of Hazard.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Breathitt, Knott, Letcher, Harlan, Leslie, Clay, and Owsley counties. 

The area of the county is 342 square miles.  It is 52 out of 120 in the state.  It ranks 38 out of 120 in population in the state.  It has a density of 83.2 persons per square mile making it 41 out of 120 in the state.  Perry County has 19.9% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county is shaped like a capital letter C sitting on its face.  Hazard is in the eastern third of the county.  Hazard is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 18.5% of the county population.