Barbourville is a home rule-class city in Knox County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 3,159 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Knox County. The city was formally established by the state assembly in 1812. It was incorporated in 1854 and then reïncorporated in 1856.Union College and the Appalachian Children's Home are located in Barbourville.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.5sqmi, all land.DemographicsAs of the census of 2000, there were 3,165 people, 1,211 households, and 662 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,027.4 people per square mile (397.1/km²). There were 1,646 housing units at an average density of 471.2 per square mile (182.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.40% White, 3.23% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.17% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.
