Whitley County, Kentucky Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Whitley County is located in Kentucky with a total population of 36,755. It is the 28th most populous county out of 120 in Kentucky.

Age Demographics

The median age in Whitley County is 35.4 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Whitley County is $41,719. This is 33% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 55% 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 5.2%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $120,600. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $192,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Whitley County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 68.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Whitley County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 7.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 4.7%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.5%.

Education

19.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 83.1%.