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 2010 the county population was 7,887 in a land area of 208.86 square miles, an average of 37.8 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.

Lee county was probably named for Lee county, Virginia.

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

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© 2021 David C. Elbon