Pike county was formed in 1822. It is located in the Eastern Coal Field region of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 610 to 3149 feet above sea level. In 2000 the county population was 68,736 in a land area of 787.69 square miles, an average of 87.3 people per square mile. The county seat is Pikeville. It is the largest county in the state.