City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Whitesburg, KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Whitesburg - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

1,998
Residents
$31,875
Median income
$111,300
Median home
$866
Median rent (state)

Whitesburg - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Whitesburg places in the 3rd percentile for household income and the 90th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

3rd
percentile, household income
14th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
90th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Whitesburg, KY

Whitesburg is a small town in Kentucky, home to 1,998 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Whitesburg households earn a median of $31,875 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 38.7%. Whitesburg's housing stock carries a median value of $111,300, and the median resident age is 41.3 years. Educational attainment runs 21.9% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 36.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1 residential building permits were authorized in Whitesburg (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. Whitesburg reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 369.5 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 53.9°F with 50.5 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Kentucky at 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $866 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Kentucky's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 66.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

1,998 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$31,875 /yr

Poverty 38.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Whitesburg compare to other US cities?

Here's how Whitesburg stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 14% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 90% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Kentucky and the picture shifts: Whitesburg ranks #47 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Whitesburg's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Kentucky, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

3rdIncome percentile
90thSafety percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income · 90th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Whitesburg's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Whitesburg's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 62 Avg. percentile National median
Whitesburg's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Whitesburg's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$111,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 86% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Whitesburg $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Whitesburg, KY Whitesburg, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Whitesburg, KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Whitesburg, KY median $31,875/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Whitesburg, KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Whitesburg, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 38.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 36.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
1,998
Median Income
$31,875
Median Home Value
$111,300
Median Age
41.3
Poverty Rate
38.7%
Labor force participation
36.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
369.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
61.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
307.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
53.9°F
Annual Precipitation
50.5"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,550 residents1,600 residents1,650 residents1,700 residents1,750 residents1,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,767 residents 1,609 residents ▼ -8.9%
Whitesburg's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
1
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 1

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.3%
Carpool
5.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.6%
Work from Home
11.0%
Other
1.3%

Based on 591 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Whitesburg sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$866/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
66.6 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Orchard Grass Hills
2,008 people
Hurstbourne Acres
1,984 people
Owingsville
1,977 people
Jamestown
2,021 people
Dawson Springs
1,973 people
Albany
1,972 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Whitesburg's 1,998 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Rice, MN
1,998 people
Canisteo, NY
1,998 people
Biltmore, TN
1,998 people
Bertram, TX
1,998 people
Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, CA
1,999 people
Stony Point, MI
1,999 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Whitesburg's $31,875 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Casas Adobes, NM
$31,875 median income
Pittsburg, OK
$31,875 median income
Rule, TX
$31,875 median income
Reedy, WV
$31,875 median income
Rupert, WV
$31,875 median income
Tierras Nuevas Poniente comunidad, PR
$31,888 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Whitesburg, KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Whitesburg, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.1% White 97.3% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 1.7% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Whitesburg compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Whitesburg (this city) 1,998 $31,875
Orchard Grass Hills 2,008 $105,417
Hurstbourne Acres 1,984 $68,229
Owingsville 1,977 $40,150
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Whitesburg, KY?

What is the population of Whitesburg, KY? +

Whitesburg, KY counts 1,998 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Whitesburg, KY? +

In Whitesburg, the typical household earns $31,875 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Whitesburg? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Whitesburg; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Whitesburg, KY safe? +

Whitesburg has a total crime rate of 369.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Whitesburg, KY? +

A typical home in Whitesburg is worth $111,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Whitesburg? +

Climate normals put Whitesburg's yearly average temperature at 53.9°F, 50.5 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.