Lee county is in the Eastern Coal Field region of Kentucky. The elevation in the county ranges from 610 to 1367 feet above sea level.

It was formed in 1870 from Breathitt, Estill, Owsley, and Wolfe counties. The county seat is Beattyville.

In 2020 the county population was 7,395 in a land area of 208.86 square miles, an average of 35.4 people per square mile.

The equine population was 800 in the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey.

Lee county is in the Kentucky River Area Development District. It is in the Appalachian region according to the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Lee county was probably named for Lee county, Virginia.

Much of the county is within the Daniel Boone National Forest.

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© 2025 David C. Elbon