Most rural counties in Kentucky

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Kentucky

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Kentucky using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Lawrence County

- Rural area: 99.4% (413 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 416 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #2,432 nationwide

- Population density: 37.5 people / square mile (15,604 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,407 nationwide

#49. Fleming County

- Rural area: 99.4% (347 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 349 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #2,683 nationwide

- Population density: 41.7 people / square mile (14,519 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,511 nationwide

#48. Hancock County

- Rural area: 99.5% (187 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 188 square miles
--- #108 largest county in state, #3,015 nationwide

- Population density: 46.6 people / square mile (8,748 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #1,619 nationwide

#47. Trigg County

- Rural area: 99.5% (439 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 441 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #2,302 nationwide

- Population density: 33.0 people / square mile (14,569 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,294 nationwide

#46. Trimble County

- Rural area: 99.5% (151 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 152 square miles
--- #116 largest county in state, #3,057 nationwide

- Population density: 56.2 people / square mile (8,528 residents)
--- #59 lowest density county in state, #1,797 nationwide

#45. Hart County

- Rural area: 99.5% (410 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 412 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #2,454 nationwide

- Population density: 45.7 people / square mile (18,833 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,596 nationwide

#44. Crittenden County

- Rural area: 99.5% (358 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 360 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #2,655 nationwide

- Population density: 24.8 people / square mile (8,940 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #1,060 nationwide

#43. Breathitt County

- Rural area: 99.6% (490 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.4% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 492 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #2,112 nationwide

- Population density: 26.0 people / square mile (12,802 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #1,098 nationwide

#42. Livingston County

- Rural area: 99.8% (312 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.2% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 313 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #2,778 nationwide

- Population density: 29.3 people / square mile (9,172 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #1,193 nationwide

#41. Spencer County

- Rural area: 100.0% (187 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 187 square miles
--- #110 largest county in state, #3,017 nationwide

- Population density: 101.5 people / square mile (18,945 residents)
--- #93 lowest density county in state, #2,264 nationwide

#40. Gallatin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (101 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 101 square miles
--- #119 largest county in state, #3,087 nationwide

- Population density: 86.5 people / square mile (8,760 residents)
--- #82 lowest density county in state, #2,145 nationwide

#39. Russell County

- Rural area: 100.0% (254 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 254 square miles
--- #80 largest county in state, #2,900 nationwide

- Population density: 70.4 people / square mile (17,846 residents)
--- #69 lowest density county in state, #1,983 nationwide

#38. Letcher County

- Rural area: 100.0% (338 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 338 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #2,718 nationwide

- Population density: 64.9 people / square mile (21,936 residents)
--- #63 lowest density county in state, #1,910 nationwide

#37. Henry County

- Rural area: 100.0% (286 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 286 square miles
--- #69 largest county in state, #2,827 nationwide

- Population density: 55.9 people / square mile (15,999 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #1,790 nationwide

#36. Pendleton County

- Rural area: 100.0% (277 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 277 square miles
--- #75 largest county in state, #2,853 nationwide

- Population density: 52.6 people / square mile (14,587 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #1,732 nationwide

#35. Clinton County

- Rural area: 100.0% (197 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 197 square miles
--- #104 largest county in state, #3,000 nationwide

- Population density: 51.6 people / square mile (10,175 residents)
--- #51 lowest density county in state, #1,718 nationwide

#34. Martin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (230 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 230 square miles
--- #93 largest county in state, #2,952 nationwide

- Population density: 49.7 people / square mile (11,421 residents)
--- #50 lowest density county in state, #1,689 nationwide

#33. Bath County

- Rural area: 100.0% (279 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 279 square miles
--- #74 largest county in state, #2,852 nationwide

- Population density: 44.6 people / square mile (12,421 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #1,564 nationwide

#32. Knott County

- Rural area: 100.0% (352 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 352 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #2,677 nationwide

- Population density: 42.8 people / square mile (15,041 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,534 nationwide

#31. McCreary County

- Rural area: 100.0% (427 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 427 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #2,378 nationwide

- Population density: 40.6 people / square mile (17,333 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,485 nationwide

#30. Washington County

- Rural area: 100.0% (297 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 297 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,812 nationwide

- Population density: 40.5 people / square mile (12,044 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,481 nationwide

#29. Bracken County

- Rural area: 100.0% (206 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 206 square miles
--- #98 largest county in state, #2,989 nationwide

- Population density: 40.4 people / square mile (8,308 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #1,479 nationwide

#28. Edmonson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (303 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 303 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #2,804 nationwide

- Population density: 40.3 people / square mile (12,195 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,476 nationwide

#27. Magoffin County

- Rural area: 100.0% (308 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 308 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,790 nationwide

- Population density: 40.0 people / square mile (12,346 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,466 nationwide

#26. Webster County

- Rural area: 100.0% (332 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 332 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #2,733 nationwide

- Population density: 39.2 people / square mile (13,021 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,461 nationwide

#25. Jackson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (345 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 345 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #2,691 nationwide

- Population density: 38.7 people / square mile (13,368 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,446 nationwide

#24. Lyon County

- Rural area: 100.0% (214 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 214 square miles
--- #95 largest county in state, #2,976 nationwide

- Population density: 38.5 people / square mile (8,226 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,439 nationwide

#23. Green County

- Rural area: 100.0% (286 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 286 square miles
--- #70 largest county in state, #2,828 nationwide

- Population density: 38.5 people / square mile (11,000 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,438 nationwide

#22. Nicholas County

- Rural area: 100.0% (195 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 195 square miles
--- #105 largest county in state, #3,004 nationwide

- Population density: 36.8 people / square mile (7,189 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,394 nationwide

#21. McLean County

- Rural area: 100.0% (252 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 252 square miles
--- #82 largest county in state, #2,903 nationwide

- Population density: 36.4 people / square mile (9,202 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,382 nationwide

#20. Casey County

- Rural area: 100.0% (444 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 444 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #2,290 nationwide

- Population density: 35.9 people / square mile (15,968 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,365 nationwide

#19. Breckinridge County

- Rural area: 100.0% (567 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 567 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #1,807 nationwide

- Population density: 35.8 people / square mile (20,283 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,362 nationwide

#18. Morgan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (381 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 381 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #2,597 nationwide

- Population density: 34.8 people / square mile (13,270 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,339 nationwide

#17. Metcalfe County

- Rural area: 100.0% (290 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 290 square miles
--- #68 largest county in state, #2,825 nationwide

- Population density: 34.7 people / square mile (10,062 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,336 nationwide

#16. Lee County

- Rural area: 100.0% (209 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 209 square miles
--- #96 largest county in state, #2,986 nationwide

- Population density: 33.9 people / square mile (7,088 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,315 nationwide

#15. Todd County

- Rural area: 100.0% (374 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 374 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #2,620 nationwide

- Population density: 32.9 people / square mile (12,334 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,292 nationwide

#14. Wolfe County

- Rural area: 100.0% (222 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 222 square miles
--- #94 largest county in state, #2,966 nationwide

- Population density: 32.4 people / square mile (7,188 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,283 nationwide

#13. Monroe County

- Rural area: 100.0% (329 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 329 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #2,738 nationwide

- Population density: 32.2 people / square mile (10,616 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,278 nationwide

#12. Ballard County

- Rural area: 100.0% (247 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 247 square miles
--- #86 largest county in state, #2,921 nationwide

- Population density: 32.1 people / square mile (7,914 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,275 nationwide

#11. Elliott County

- Rural area: 100.0% (234 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 234 square miles
--- #90 largest county in state, #2,939 nationwide

- Population density: 31.8 people / square mile (7,461 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,268 nationwide

#10. Menifee County

- Rural area: 100.0% (204 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 204 square miles
--- #100 largest county in state, #2,992 nationwide

- Population density: 31.7 people / square mile (6,463 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #1,264 nationwide

#9. Owen County

- Rural area: 100.0% (351 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 351 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #2,678 nationwide

- Population density: 30.9 people / square mile (10,847 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #1,233 nationwide

#8. Butler County

- Rural area: 100.0% (426 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 426 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #2,384 nationwide

- Population density: 29.9 people / square mile (12,756 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #1,212 nationwide

#7. Lewis County

- Rural area: 100.0% (483 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 483 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #2,147 nationwide

- Population density: 27.6 people / square mile (13,345 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #1,140 nationwide

#6. Leslie County

- Rural area: 100.0% (401 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 401 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #2,521 nationwide

- Population density: 25.1 people / square mile (10,081 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #1,074 nationwide

#5. Carlisle County

- Rural area: 100.0% (189 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 189 square miles
--- #106 largest county in state, #3,013 nationwide

- Population density: 25.0 people / square mile (4,738 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #1,068 nationwide

#4. Owsley County

- Rural area: 100.0% (197 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 197 square miles
--- #102 largest county in state, #2,998 nationwide

- Population density: 22.4 people / square mile (4,416 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #975 nationwide

#3. Cumberland County

- Rural area: 100.0% (305 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 305 square miles
--- #62 largest county in state, #2,800 nationwide

- Population density: 21.8 people / square mile (6,660 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #956 nationwide

#2. Robertson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (100 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 100 square miles
--- #120 largest county in state, #3,088 nationwide

- Population density: 21.4 people / square mile (2,139 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #939 nationwide

#1. Hickman County

- Rural area: 100.0% (242 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 242 square miles
--- #88 largest county in state, #2,925 nationwide

- Population density: 18.4 people / square mile (4,461 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #834 nationwide

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