Population 36,920 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Whitley County
Household size in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.62 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.62 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.72 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.65 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
At 2.65 people per household, Whitley County sits right at the national average. The typical household here is bigger than in Kentucky as a whole, where it has 2.51 people. Household size has crept up from 2.62 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 37.0 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.6 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.4 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | −1.6 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 35.4, Whitley County is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has dropped from 37.0, even as the national median rose. Only three of Kentucky's 120 counties are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.3% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.4% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 15.1% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.2 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in Whitley County: 15.1% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 3.2 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only nine of Kentucky's 120 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Whitley County
Renters in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.8% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 31.8% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 31.2% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 33.2% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.4 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a third of households in Whitley County rent their homes (33.2%), close to the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 53.3% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 3.4 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.3% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 17.9% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.1% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.1% of the housing in Whitley County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 1.2 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1983 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Whitley County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $595 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $601 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $614 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $797 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$202 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Whitley County pays $797 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $202 a month from 2006–10, a 34% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 29.7% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the south and lowest in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Whitley County
Bachelor's degrees in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.8% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.8% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.5% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.5% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.6 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Whitley County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 20.5%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 7.6 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the east.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 71.1% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 74.6% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.3% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.8% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +13.7 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Whitley County never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.8% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 13.7 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Whitley County
| Period | Whitley County | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.1% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Whitley County: 6.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 3.7 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Whitley County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitley County | 2.65 | 35.4 | 15.1% | 33.2% | 14.1% | 1987 | $797 | 20.5% | 84.8% | 6.1% |
| Knox County | 2.54 | 40.2 | 15.6% | 34.7% | 14.2% | 1985 | $703 | 14.1% | 76.8% | 8.0% |
| McCreary County | 2.53 | 40.6 | 11.8% | 25.8% | 15.0% | 1987 | $584 | 10.5% | 78.6% | 5.4% |
| Wayne County | 2.43 | 43.3 | 10.7% | 30.9% | 16.8% | 1982 | $736 | 14.6% | 81.1% | 5.3% |
| Harlan County | 2.38 | 41.3 | 13.2% | 28.4% | 17.4% | 1976 | $705 | 13.8% | 81.7% | 9.8% |
| Clinton County | 2.37 | 41.6 | 9.5% | 28.9% | 19.0% | 1983 | $647 | 17.4% | 77.4% | 5.5% |
| Lee County | 2.43 | 45.9 | 11.7% | 27.0% | 19.6% | 1977 | $769 | 16.0% | 83.0% | 8.1% |
| Cumberland County | 2.44 | 43.5 | 9.9% | 24.5% | 22.5% | 1986 | $525 | 20.1% | 82.4% | 3.5% |
| Metcalfe County | 2.56 | 42.4 | 9.6% | 22.3% | 14.3% | 1988 | $599 | 12.8% | 88.6% | 5.1% |
| Norton City | 2.31 | 40.2 | 19.5% | 50.0% | 11.8% | 1973 | $573 | 14.0% | 94.3% | 4.1% |
| Wise County | 2.37 | 42.2 | 12.7% | 25.8% | 15.5% | 1979 | $802 | 15.4% | 80.2% | 8.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Scotland County, NC · Barren County, KY · Barry County, MO · Beaufort County, NC · Boone County, IA · Bradford County, FL · Smyth County, VA · Sioux County, IA · Sanilac County, MI · Sanpete County, UT
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Whitley County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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