In 2008, Estill County welcomes the Estill County Bicentennial and include a yearlong celebration of themed months showcasing 200 years of history, importance and the viability of Estill County and its Twin Cities of Irvine & Ravenna. Both cities sit along the Kentucky River. Ravenna is home to the CSX Railroad and the historic Fitchburg & Cottage Furnaces and will conduct a Ravenna Railroad Festival in August 2008. Irvine is home to the manufacturing headquarters of Carhartt, Inc. and annually hosts the Mountain Mushroom Festival over last weekend of April.
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,307 people, 6,108 households, and 4,434 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 per square mile (23 /km). There were 6,824 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (10 /km). The racial makeup of the county was 99.07% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 6,108 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.40% were married couples living together, 12.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $23,318, and the median income for a family was $27,284. Males had a median income of $29,254 versus $18,849 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,285. About 22.50% of families and 26.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.30% of those under age 18 and 21.50% of those age 65 or over.