An electron emission device can include gate electrodes formed on a substrate and cathode electrodes insulated from the gate electrodes with an insulating layer interposed between them. Each cathode electrode can have a receptor at a peripheral side. Electron emission regions may be formed within the receptors and in contact with the cathode electrodes. Counter electrodes can face the cathode electrodes, can be coplanar with the cathode electrodes, and can be coupled to the gate electrodes. The shortest distance between the electron emission region and the counter electrode may be smaller than the shortest distance between the cathode electrode and the counter electrode.