Bath county was formed in 1811. It is located in the Eastern Coal Field and Outer Bluegrass regions of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 590 to 1388 feet above sea level. In 2010 the county population was 11,591 in a land area of 278.79 square miles, an average of 41.6 people per square mile.

The county seat is Owingsville.