CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Whitley County

Kentucky · 36,712 residents · 437.922 sq mi
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The short version

Whitley County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,258. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $104,200. The poverty rate of 20.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.0
US median: 38.8
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
36,712
+2%since 2000
from 35,865 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
84 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 82 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.0
+7%since 2000
from 35.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
33K34K36K37K39K1990201020202024Whitley County
202437K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,258
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,075 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,535
+69%since 2000
from $12,777 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.1%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
20.8%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 26.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade13.6%
US avg: 10%
Information12.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.1%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$104,200
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$610
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $352 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.2%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 72.6% in 2000
32.8% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+18%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Whitley County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.8%(35,062)
Black0.3%(122)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(249)
Asian0.2%(70)
Other0%
Diversity Score3.1%(1,104)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.8%(34,076)
Black1.4%(531)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(687)
Asian0.6%(204)
Other1.3%(495)
Diversity Score12.9%(4,722)
Segregation Score30.3%(11,116)
Diversity Score
13
+318%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
30
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.0%
+19.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
10.0%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+29%since 2000
from 16.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.0%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 80.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.6%
−3.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
49.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2011
from 49.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.0%
−25.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.0%
−75.7 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Whitley County

Ware County
Pop 36,906
Escambia County
Pop 36,665
Pike County
Pop 33,688
Chambers County
Pop 34,253
Places similar to Whitley County
Head to head

Compare Whitley County to nearby counties

WHITLEY COUNTY VS
Knox County
Income$32,527−17%
Home value$118,700+14%
Population29,532−21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHITLEY COUNTY VS
McCreary County
Income$33,750−14%
Home value$85,300−18%
Population17,124−54%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHITLEY COUNTY VS
Laurel County
Income$57,771+47%
Home value$159,500+53%
Population63,746+71%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WHITLEY COUNTY VS
Campbell County
Income$51,557+31%
Home value$186,500+79%
Population40,290+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Whitley County, Kentucky?

Whitley County, Kentucky has about 36,712 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Whitley County, Kentucky?

The typical household in Whitley County, Kentucky earns about $39,258 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Whitley County, Kentucky expensive?

In Whitley County, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $104,200, and the typical rent is about $610 a month.

How educated are people in Whitley County, Kentucky?

About 20.0% of adults age 25 and over in Whitley County, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Whitley County, Kentucky?

About 20.8% of people in Whitley County, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Whitley County, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Whitley County, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 3,386 residents, a change of about 10 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

12 census tracts
Census Tract 9205.02Census Tract 9203.02Census Tract 9206.02Census Tract 9204.02Census Tract 9207Census Tract 9202Census Tract 9201Census Tract 9208Census Tract 9204.01Census Tract 9203.01Census Tract 9205.01Census Tract 9206.01
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 40701ZIP 40769ZIP 40759ZIP 40763
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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