Bell County, Kentucky
Bell County sits in the southeastern corner of Kentucky, where the state meets Tennessee and Virginia. Pineville serves as the county seat, and the area is packed with state parks and wildlife management areas.
The county is named after Joshua Fry Bell, a Kentucky politician. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park extends into Bell County and preserves the historic route where Daniel Boone helped blaze a trail through the mountains.
Coal mining was once a major part of the local economy, but tourism and outdoor recreation have become increasingly important. Pine Mountain State Resort Park offers beautiful mountain views and hiking opportunities. Today, around 26,000 residents call Bell County home.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| County Name | Bell County |
| County Seat | Pineville |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Pineville, Middlesboro, Fernvale, Fourmile, Balkan |
| Interstates and Highways | US-25E, US-119, KY-66, KY-74 |
| Etymology | Named after Joshua Fry Bell, a U.S. Representative from Kentucky |
| FIPS Code | 21-013 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 361 sq mi (Land: 359 sq mi; Water: 2 sq mi) |
| Adjacent Counties (and Direction) | Clay County (North), Leslie County (Northeast), Harlan County (East), Lee County, Virginia (Southeast), Claiborne County, Tennessee (South), Whitley County (Southwest), Knox County (Northwest) |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time Zone (ET) |
| State | Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 36.7281° N, 83.6987° W |
| Major Landmarks | Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Wilderness Road State Park |
| Population | Approximately 26,000 |
