Paintsville, KY

Paintsville is a friendly eastern Kentucky town of around 4,300 people, serving as the seat of Johnson County. Set along the Levisa Fork river valley, it offers quiet neighborhoods and plenty of recreation at Paintsville Lake State Park, where locals spend weekends boating, fishing, and hiking. Each fall, the whole town gathers for the Kentucky Apple Festival, filling Main Street with parades, live music, and craft vendors. With its convenient location along U.S. 23, Paintsville pairs scenic mountain surroundings with a relaxed pace and a strong sense of community.