Van Lear, Kentucky
CDP
About Van Lear
Set in the eastern part of Kentucky, Van Lear is a small unincorporated community.
Officially, Van Lear is a census-designated place — a real, named community that residents call home, governed at the county level. The community covers 4.07 square miles.
📰 Van Lear News Today
- Van Lear Days WSAZ · Aug 2
- Anna Sharon Grimm Stickler Obituary (2026) - West Van Lear, KY - Jones-Preston Funeral Home - Paintsville Legacy obituary · Aug 3
- Garry Lee Ward Obituary | Phelps & Son Funeral Home | Paintsville, KY Tribute Archive · Jul 29
- 22 Years Ago, the Queen of Country Joined Forces With a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer for the Most Successful Crossover Album of Her 60-Year Career American Songwriter · Apr 27
- Ohio man charged with DUI, felony assault after Van Lear crash The Paintsville Herald · Feb 16
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Van Lear Unique
- The only place in America named Van Lear — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
- An unincorporated community — no city hall of its own, which often means lower local taxes and county-managed services.
- Positioned in eastern Kentucky, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
Why People Love It Here
- Small-town pace of life: less traffic, more community, and neighbors who wave.
- Housing dollars stretch further here than in the nearest metro.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 5 miles.
🎡 Fun Things to Do
- Loretta Lynn's Homeplace · Museum
Attractions mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateKentucky
TypeCDP
Population (2024)—
Land area4.07 sq mi
Coordinates37.7766, -82.7479