Whitley County, KY

County

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2021 Population

36,578

0.899% 1-year growth

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

36.5

0.545% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

21.6%

3.57% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$41,817

6.52% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$110,700

6.24% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

13,289

2.19% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Whitley County, KY had a population of 36.6k people with a median age of 36.5 and a median household income of $41,817. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Whitley County, KY grew from 36,252 to 36,578, a 0.899% increase and its median household income grew from $39,258 to $41,817, a 6.52% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Whitley County, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (95.7%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.35%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (1.03%), White (Hispanic) (0.806%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.443%).

None of the households in Whitley County, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.4% of the residents in Whitley County, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Whitley County, KY are University of the Cumberlands (4,110 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Whitley County, KY was $110,700, and the homeownership rate was 66.1%.

Most people in Whitley County, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Whitley County, KY was 2 cars per household.

Whitley County, KY borders Bell County, KY, Knox County, KY, Laurel County, KY, McCreary County, KY, Campbell County, TN, and Claiborne County, TN.

United States Kentucky London, KY

Population & Diversity

Whitley County, KY is home to a population of 36.6k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 0.872% of Whitley County, KY residents were born outside of the country (319 people).

In 2021, there were 71 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (35k people) in Whitley County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 493 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 375 Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.4%

2021 Citizenship

99%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.4% of Whitley County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Whitley County, KY was 99%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Whitley County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Whitley County, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
35k ± 102
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
493 ± 117
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
375 ± 77

1.46%

Hispanic Population

533 people

1.46% of the people in Whitley County, KY are hispanic (533 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Whitley County, KY as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
29,505 ± 4,203 people
Cuba
14,201 ± 2,921 people
India
12,469 ± 2,738 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 29,505 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 14,201 and India with 12,469.

Foreign-Born Population

0.872%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

319 people

1.29%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

469 people

As of 2021, 0.872% of Whitley County, KY residents (319 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Whitley County, KY was 1.29%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Whitley County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
863 ± 215
Gulf War (2001-)
319 ± 159
Gulf War (1990s)
183 ± 97

Whitley County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.71 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Whitley County, KY employs 13.3k people. The largest industries in Whitley County, KY are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,112 people), Retail Trade (1,883 people), and Educational Services (1,878 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($54,107), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($53,214), and Transportation & Warehousing ($52,513).

Males in Kentucky have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,114. The income inequality in Kentucky (measured using the Gini index) is 0.453, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

13.3k

2021 Value

± 947

2.19%

1 Year growth

± 10%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Whitley County, KY grew at a rate of 2.19%, from 13k employees to 13.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Whitley County, KY, are Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1,388 people), Sales & Related Occupations (1,373 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,300 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Whitley County, KY.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

13.3k

2021 Value

± 947

2.19%

1 Year growth

± 10%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Whitley County, KY grew at a rate of 2.19%, from 13k employees to 13.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Whitley County, KY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (2,112 people), Retail Trade (1,883 people), and Educational Services (1,878 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Whitley County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Whitley County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$33,592

Median earning men ± $3,175

$24,739

Median earning women ± $1,962

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($78,814), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($60,387), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($44,471).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($35,230), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($33,534), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($31,361).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

335
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
195
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
166
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$163k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$139k
Manufacturing
$48.4k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $57.5B, followed by Electronics ($36.5B) and Machinery ($28.4B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kentucky products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kentucky.

$330B

2020 Value in Kentucky

$644B

Projected 2050 Value in Kentucky

95% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kentucky trade was $330B. This is expected to increase 95% to $644B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kentucky trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Most Common Trade Partners

Tennessee
$27.7B
California
$19B
Ohio
$17.7B

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Tennessee with $27.7B, followed by California with $19B and Ohio and $17.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kentucky shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Whitley County, KY went to Donald J. Trump with 81.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (16.6%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.15%).

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (81.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (16.6%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.15%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Whitley County, KY for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Kentucky

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kentucky have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Whitley County, KY awarded 4,110 degrees. The student population of Whitley County, KY in 2021 is skewed towards men, with 9,782 male students and 9,490 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Whitley County, KY are Unknown (2,457 and 74.5%), followed by White (719 and 21.8%), Asian (41 and 1.24%), and Black or African American (41 and 1.24%).

The largest universities in Whitley County, KY by number of degrees awarded are University of the Cumberlands (4,110 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Whitley County, KY are Information Technology (471 and 11.5%), Other Educational Administration & Supervision (467 and 11.4%), and Computer & Information Systems Security (426 and 10.4%).

The median tuition cost in Whitley County, KY for private four year colleges is $9,875.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Whitley County, KY, the percentage of applicants admitted was 85%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 33.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 19,272 (50.8% men and 49.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 19,272 students enrolled in Whitley County, KY, 50.8% men and 49.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Unknown with 11,742 records, of which 55.2% were women and 44.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Computer & Information Systems Security
426 degrees awarded
Other Educational Administration & Supervision
373 degrees awarded
Information Technology
462 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Masters Degree recipients in Whitley County, KY was Computer & Information Systems Security with 426 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Masters Degree from schools in Whitley County, KY according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

University of the Cumberlands

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

4,110 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of the Cumberlands with 4,110 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 1,798 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Whitley County, KY, which is 0.778 times less than the 2,312 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Unknown students. These 2,457 degrees mean that there were 3.42 times more degrees awarded to Unknown students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 719 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($9,875) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Measure

In 2021, 0.789% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.712% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.17M), Some college (777k), and Secondary Education (561k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Whitley County, KY was $110,700 in 2021, which is 0.452 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $104,200 to $110,700, a 6.24% increase. The homeownership rate in Whitley County, KY is 66.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Whitley County, KY have an average commute time of 21.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Whitley County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Whitley County, KY is $41,817. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Whitley County, KY was Census Tract 9201 with a value of $56,420, followed by Census Tract 9202 and Census Tract 9207, with respective values of $45,091 and $43,333.

In 2022, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Whitley County, KY. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.55%.

Housing

Property

$110,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$9,302

$8,446

Median Property Taxes

±$718

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Whitley County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Whitley County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

66.1%

Homeownership

2021

62.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 66.1% of the housing units in Whitley County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68.4%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Whitley County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9201
Census Tract 9202
Census Tract 9207

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Whitley County, KY was Census Tract 9201 with a value of $56,420, followed by Census Tract 9202 and Census Tract 9207, with respective values of $45,091 and $43,333.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Whitley County, KY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$41,817

Median Household Income

± $3,265

12.8k

Number of Households

± 880

In 2021, the median household income of the 12.8k households in Whitley County, KY grew to $41,817 from the previous year's value of $39,258.

The following chart displays the households in Whitley County, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Whitley County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.453

2021 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.454

2020 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2021, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.453 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.236% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77.7%)
Carpooled (14.2%)
Worked At Home (5.09%)

In 2021, 77.7% of workers in Whitley County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (14.2%) and those who worked at home (5.09%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Whitley County, KY have a shorter commute time (21.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.93% of the workforce in Whitley County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Whitley County, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Whitley County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Whitley County, KY have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Whitley County, KY. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.55%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

21.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Whitley County, KY (7.47k out of 34.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 45 - 54 and then Females 65 - 74.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Whitley County, KY is White, followed by Two Or More and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 28.7% of the children was living in poverty in Whitley County, KY. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 14%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 97.2 in Whitley County, KY. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.323 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

92.4% of the population of Whitley County, KY has health coverage, with 34.7% on employee plans, 34.4% on Medicaid, 12.7% on Medicare, 9.06% on non-group plans, and 1.57% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Whitley County, KY see 1170 patients per year on average, which represents a 16.1% decrease from the previous year (1394 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1402 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 62 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,170 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Whitley County, KY

Primary care physicians in Whitley County, KY see an average of 1,170 patients per year. This represents a 16.1% decrease from the previous year (1,394 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Whitley County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27.3% under 18 years, 21.7% between 18 and 34 years, 35.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.62%

Uninsured

34.7%

Employer Coverage

34.4%

Medicaid

12.7%

Medicare

9.06%

Non-Group

1.57%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Whitley County, KY grew by 8.62% from 7.01% to 7.62%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Whitley County, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 65.6 in Whitley County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Whitley County, KY.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 36.7% in Whitley County, KY.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Whitley County, KY.

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