Owsley County Public RecordsKentucky

As of 2023, Owsley County, Kentucky has a population of approximately 4,100 residents. The median age is about 43 years, with 22% under 18 and 21% aged 65 or older. The gender split is nearly equal, with 50.1% female and 49.9% male. Racially, the county is predominantly White (97.8%), with small percentages of African American (0.7%), Native American (0.2%), and those identifying as two or more races (1.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up about 0.8% of the population.

Owsley County, KY, had 3,133 registered voters in 2022, with about 82% registered as Democrats and 16% as Republicans, though recent elections trend Republican. The county votes in primary and general elections for local, state, and federal offices. In the 2020 presidential election, 84.4% voted for Donald Trump, 14.7% for Joe Biden. Polling locations include the Owsley County Clerk’s Office in Booneville. Key issues are economic development and education. Elections are overseen by the County Clerk, with the Democratic and Republican parties maintaining local committees to manage voter outreach and candidate support.

Owsley County, KY has one high school (Owsley County High School) and one K-12 school district. As of 2022, about 61% of residents hold a high school diploma, while only 7% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The district's average ACT score hovers around 16. School safety is a priority, with resource officers onsite. Adult education programs focus on GED attainment and basic job skills. The county offers limited extracurricular and advanced placement programs due to budget constraints and low enrollment.

Owsley County, KY, has an employment rate of about 41.2% (2022 U.S. Census Bureau). Major industries include health care and social assistance (29.4%), retail trade (12%), and educational services (10.5%). The leading occupation types are office and administrative support (16.8%) and management (13.3%). Over 70% of residents commute outside the county for work, averaging a travel time of 36.8 minutes. Most employment is concentrated in Booneville and surrounding towns, reflecting limited local job opportunities and a reliance on regional employment centers.

Owsley County, KY, has a homeownership rate of about 76%, with median home values around $60,000—significantly below the national average. Rental options are limited, and the median gross rent is approximately $530/month. Most homes are single-family detached houses, often built before 1980. Market trends show stable-to-slightly-rising property values but slow turnover. Communities like Booneville serve as local hubs. Real estate taxes are low, with a property tax rate near 0.6%, keeping annual taxes on a median home under $400. The housing market leans affordable, yet options and new developments remain scarce.

Owsley County, KY, is one of the safest counties in the state, with a violent crime rate of just 50.4 per 100,000 residents, significantly below the national average of 388 per 100,000. Property crime is also low at approximately 368 per 100,000, compared to the U.S. average of 2,199. The county reported fewer than 10 arrests for major crimes in 2023. Annual law enforcement reports highlight a strong sense of community safety, and residents experience minimal risk of crime-related incidents.