Whitesburg, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Whitesburg, Kentucky had a total population of 1,761, the 185th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $29,189, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.1% is notably above the national average.
Whitesburg Quick Facts
How Whitesburg Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,998 | 1,761 | -11.9% |
| Median household income | $31,875 | $29,189 | -8.4% |
| Median home value | $111,300 | $111,700 | +0.4% |
How Whitesburg Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Whitesburg Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Letcher County
Cities Similar to Whitesburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 1,672 | $28,704 | $122,300 | 10.6% | 32.1% |
| South Shore | 1,642 | $29,340 | $89,200 | 8.8% | 23.1% |
| Munfordville | 1,893 | $32,621 | $119,000 | 10.4% | 33.3% |
| Dawson Springs | 1,951 | $32,838 | $70,000 | 6.3% | 30.5% |
| Sturgis | 1,864 | $36,780 | $84,500 | 14.4% | 16.4% |
Population Overview
Whitesburg is a small community located in Kentucky, within Letcher County. The total population is 1,761. It ranks as the 185th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whitesburg is 43.8 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 16.5% 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 is $29,189. This is 54% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 64% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.5%. This is 133% 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 11.1%. This is 127% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $111,700. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 52.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Whitesburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 5.0%.
Education
19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Whitesburg, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Whitesburg, Kentucky?
Whitesburg, Kentucky has a population of 1,761 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Whitesburg, KY?
The median household income in Whitesburg is $29,189, which is 64% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Whitesburg, KY?
The poverty rate in Whitesburg is 37.5%. This means approximately 578 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Whitesburg, Kentucky?
Whitesburg's population is 95.2% White, 0.5% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Whitesburg, KY?
The median home value in Whitesburg is $111,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Whitesburg, Kentucky?
19.8% of adults (25+) in Whitesburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.