Owsley County, Kentucky

Owsley County Education, Geography, and History

Owsley County is a county located in the Eastern Coalfield region of the state of Kentucky. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 4,755, making it the second-least populous county in Kentucky.  The county was formed on January 23, 1843. The county seat is Booneville. Owsley county is named for William Owsley (1782-1862), the judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals and Governor of Kentucky (1844-1848).

Etymology - Origin of Owsley County Name

William Owsley (1782-1862), judge in the Kentucky Court of Appeals, Kentucky governor.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Owsley County History

Owsley County was formed in 1843 from portions of Clay, Breathitt, and Estill Counties and was named for Governor William Owsley.Owsley County was Kentucky's 96th county. Parts of Owsley County were used to form Jackson County in 1858 and Lee County in 1870.

This county is located in the Eastern Coal Field region of the state. In 2000 the county population was 4,858 in a land area of 198.09 square miles, an average of 24.5 people per square mile. The county seat is Booneville.

n January 1929, and again on January 5, 1967, there were courthouse fires. All records were lost in the 1929 fire.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 198 square miles (510 km²), of which 197 square miles (510 km²) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) (0.4%) is water. The elevation in the county ranges from 650 to 1720 feet above sea level.

Owsley county is located in east Kentucky. The county is located in the Eastern Mountain Coal Fields which is a part  the Cumberland Plateau and is made up of slightly rolling farmland. The South Fork of the Kentucky River passes through the county. Located on the northwest side of the county is in the Kentucky River watershed. Flood plains along the banks of the South of the Kentucky River and several streams provide the level land necessary for farming. A portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest is located in this county.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• North: Lee County
• Northeast: Breathitt County
• Southeast: Perry County
• South: Clay County
• West: Jackson County
  

Education

Public schools are operated by the Owsley County School District. Owsley County has one Christian Private school currently operating. Sugar Camp Baptist Church maintains a primary educational facility off of Hwy. 30 East.

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