Rowan county is in the Eastern Coal Field region of Kentucky. The elevation in the county ranges from 625 to 1435 feet above sea level.

It was formed in 1856 from Fleming and Morgan counties. Rowan county was a source of Beckham (1904) county. The county seat is Morehead.

In 2020 the county population was 24,662 in a land area of 279.80 square miles, an average of 88.1 people per square mile.

The equine population was 1,000 in the 2012 Kentucky Equine Survey.

Rowan county is in the Gateway Area Development District. It is in the Appalachian region according to the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Rowan county was named to honor John Rowan, representative and senator.

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

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© 2025 David C. Elbon