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 2010 the county population was 65,024 in a land area of 786.83 square miles, an average of 82.6 people per square mile. It is the largest county in the state.

The county seat is Pikeville.