Hopkins County

Hopkins County is an administrative division in Western Kentucky that combines flat areas near river valleys with rolling hills in the southern regions. Madisonville serves as the main center for government and commerce in this area.

The area was established in 1806 and named after General Samuel Hopkins, a Revolutionary War officer who later served as a state legislator. This founding marked the start of organized settlement in the region.

The region has developed as an agricultural center over generations, where farmers grow corn, soybeans, and other crops across the land. These farming traditions continue to shape how the landscape looks and how people in smaller communities organize their lives.

Visitors find services and shops in Madisonville, which functions as a transportation hub and administrative center. The varied terrain means that travel routes and times differ between flat and hilly areas.

The area was once a major coal mining region that contributed significantly to the state's energy supply by the late 1900s. This industrial phase permanently changed the landscape and local infrastructure.

Location: Kentucky

Inception: December 9, 1806

Capital city: Madisonville

Shares border with: Webster County, McLean County, Muhlenberg County, Christian County, Caldwell County

Website: http://hopkinscounty.ky.gov

GPS coordinates: 37.31000,-87.54000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:25