Robertson County is a county in Kentucky, United States, on the state’s northern bluegrass border with Ohio across the river bottoms. It had a population of 2,193 at the 2020 census and covers 100 square miles (260 km2) centred near 38°31′N 84°03′W — the smallest county in Kentucky by both area and population.
Mount Olivet is the county seat, and its postal code is 41064. The county has one incorporated city (Mount Olivet) and two unincorporated communities (Kentontown and Piqua); part of Sardis, an incorporated city, also lies within the county but is mostly in neighboring Mason County. Robertson County sits in the Eastern time zone.
Towns & Villages in Robertson County
Robertson County has a short settlement roster — one city and a handful of unincorporated crossroads communities. The table below lists Type as City for the sole incorporated place and Unincorp. for the rest.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Olivet | City · seat | — | 41064 |
| Kentontown | Unincorp. | — | 41064 |
| Piqua | Unincorp. | — | 41064 |
| Sardis | Unincorp. (mostly Mason County) | — | — |
Sardis straddles the Robertson–Mason county line; its post office and the bulk of its houses sit in Mason County, so it is not counted toward Robertson’s own population. The old scrape’s “Abigail,” “Alhambra,” “Bratton,” and “Hittville” entries have no verifiable trace in current or historical gazetteers for this county and are omitted here rather than republished unverified.
ZIP Codes
- 41064 — Mount Olivet (also serves Kentontown and Piqua)
A single ZIP code covers the entire county — the smallest ZIP footprint of any Kentucky county.
Geography
Robertson County sits in the outer Bluegrass region, drained by Lees Creek and the North Fork of the Licking River, with rolling, hilly terrain typical of the Licking River valley. Of its 100 square miles, about 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2) is water. It borders Bracken County to the north, Mason County to the northeast, Fleming County to the southeast, Nicholas County to the south, and Harrison County to the west.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 2,193 residents, the smallest population of any Kentucky county. Mount Olivet is by far the largest community; Kentontown and Piqua are small rural crossroads with no separately tabulated population. Robertson County’s population density works out to roughly 22 people per square mile. Median household income in Robertson County runs below the Kentucky median of $61,118, reflecting its small, agricultural economic base.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture drives the county’s economy — cattle, tobacco, and grain farming on the rolling bluegrass land, with Mount Olivet serving as the county’s lone commercial center for farm supply, banking, and county government. Robertson County government itself, headquartered in Mount Olivet, is one of the county’s largest employers given the small overall workforce.
History
Robertson County was organized on February 11, 1867, carved from parts of Bracken, Harrison, Mason, and Nicholas counties. It is named for George Robertson, a Kentucky congressman from 1817 to 1821 who later served as chief justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals. The county has remained Kentucky’s smallest by area and population since its founding, with little subsequent boundary change.
Getting There
Kentucky Route 22 and Kentucky Route 1235 are the main roads through the county, connecting Mount Olivet to surrounding county seats.
- Maysville — 18 miles northeast
- Cynthiana — 20 miles west
- Flemingsburg — 15 miles southeast
- Falmouth — 15 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, roughly an hour’s drive to the north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Robertson County?
It is in the outer Bluegrass region of northeastern Kentucky, bordering Ohio-facing Mason County.
What is the population of Robertson County?
2,193 at the 2020 census — the smallest of any Kentucky county.
How big is Robertson County?
100 square miles (260 km2), also the smallest by area in Kentucky.
What is the Robertson County seat?
Mount Olivet is the county seat.
How many towns are in Robertson County?
One incorporated city, Mount Olivet, plus the unincorporated communities of Kentontown and Piqua.
What ZIP codes are in Robertson County?
41064, covering the entire county.
Who is Robertson County named after?
George Robertson, a Kentucky congressman and later chief justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Kentucky.