According to data from the US Census in 2015 - 28.1 percent of Knott County residents lived in poverty.

Holidays are often an exciting time of the year.  However, the holidays can also represent added stress due to holiday spending.  Many individuals, families and households neglect budgeting for holiday spending. To assist individuals in understanding and responding to financial stress resulting from holiday expenses Family & Consumer Science Agents traveled to 8 counties in District 2 to present “Stretching Your Holiday Dollar.”  Emphasis was placed on understanding how implementing holiday budgeting and other cost-saving strategies can help individuals to reduce spending and financial stress.  Fifty-one participants attended the program at the Knott County extension office.    Participants were surveyed following the class and seventy four percent indicated they had identified money management or cost-saving strategies for their family, while seventy-four participants, increased their confidence in handling money issues or specific financial matters.   Eighty participants identified at least one specific saving or wealth-related goal for their family and eighty percent plan to take action steps toward implementing at least one financial management strategy presented during this program.   Participants comments included: “I plan to use cash for Christmas and to always look for bargains”, “I plan to make homemade gifts for Christmas” and “not only make Christmas gifts but use these strategies for gift giving all year long”.