Carter County, Kentucky (Formed 1838) Land Area Year Population (sq.mi) Density 2010 27,720 409.5 67.7 2000 26,889 410.6 65.5 1990 24,340 410.6 59.3 1980 25,060 410.6 61.0 1970 19,850 410.6 48.3 1960 20,817 410.6 50.7 1950 22,559 410.6 54.9 1940 25,545 410.6 62.2 1930 23,839 410.6 58.1 1920 22,474 410.6 54.7 1910 21,966 413.0 53.2 1900 20,228 515.0 39.3 1890 17,204 515.0 33.4 1880 12,345 406.7 30.4 1870 7,509 406.7 18.5 1860 8,516 487.4 17.5 1850 6,241 514.2 12.1 1840 2,905 515.5 5.6