Whitesburg city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Whitesburg city is a small community located in Kentucky. The total population is 1,998. It ranks as the 173rd most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Whitesburg city is 41.3 years. This is 6% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 12.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Whitesburg city is $31,875. This is 49% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 59% lower. The poverty rate stands at 34.9%. This is 116% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 10.3%. This is 112% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $111,300. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 50.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 26% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Whitesburg city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.1%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 4.7%.

Education

21.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Whitesburg city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. For official data, visit data.census.gov.