Hopkins County, Kentucky
Hopkins County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 45,423. Its county seat is Madisonville. Hopkins County was created December 9, 1806 from Henderson County. It was named for General Samuel Hopkins, an officer in both the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812, and later a Kentucky legislator and U.S. Congressman.
Hopkins County | |
|---|---|
Hopkins County Courthouse in Madisonville | |
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky | |
Kentucky's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 37°19′N 87°32′W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| Founded | 1806 |
| Named for | Samuel Hopkins |
| Seat | Madisonville |
| Largest city | Madisonville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 554 sq mi (1,430 km2) |
| • Land | 542 sq mi (1,400 km2) |
| • Water | 12 sq mi (30 km2) 2.2% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 45,423 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 44,929 |
| • Density | 82/sq mi (32/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | hopkinscounty |
The Madisonville, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Hopkins County.
The topography ranges from flatlands along the broad river valleys of the Pond River, Tradewater River, and Green River, to hilly and rolling land in the southern and central parts of the county. Coal mines operate in the southern part of Hopkins County and agriculture is a mainstay in the northern part. Major crops are soybeans, corn, and tobacco. Along with coal, resources include oil and natural gas.