Jackson County, Kentucky
Jackson County is located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,955. Its county seat is McKee. The county was formed in 1858 from land given by Madison, Estill, Owsley, Clay, Laurel, and Rockcastle counties. It was named for Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States. Jackson County became a moist county via a "local-option" referendum in the Fall of 2019 that legalized the sale of alcoholic beverages in the city of McKee.
Jackson County | |
|---|---|
Jackson County courthouse in McKee | |
| Motto(s): Where the Mountains and the Bluegrass Blend | |
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky | |
Kentucky's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 37°25′N 84°01′W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| Founded | 1858 |
| Named for | Andrew Jackson |
| Seat | McKee |
| Largest community | Annville |
| Government | |
| • Judge Executive | Shane Gabbard (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 347 sq mi (900 km2) |
| • Land | 345 sq mi (890 km2) |
| • Water | 1.3 sq mi (3 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 12,955 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 13,104 |
| • Density | 37/sq mi (14/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 40447, 40402, 40434, 40481, 40486 |
One fourth of Jackson County is within the Daniel Boone National Forest (56,000 acres), making it representative of eastern Kentucky's unique Appalachian topography, wildlife, and heritage. The county is home to many attractions and recreation spots such as Flat Lick Falls, public national forest campgrounds Turkey Foot and S-Tree, and the centermost trailhead (located in the county seat, McKee) of the historic Sheltowee Trace.
Jackson County is the birthplace of the Grand Ole Opry star David "Stringbean" Akeman, and the site of the annually reenacted Battle of Big Hill, the Civil War skirmish that led to the Battle of Richmond in Madison County.