County · Kentucky
Letcher County, Kentucky
Letcher County, Kentucky. Letcher County had 19,952 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 7.4% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. It holds 8 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 5 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 21133.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,952
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 21,548 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,808
Median household income
$41,793
±$3,868 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$67,400
±$8,633 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$669
±$47 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Letcher County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 21,548 residents in Letcher County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,952 for July 1, 2025, down 7.4% since 2020, while Kentucky grew 2.2%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,808 over 338 square miles of land.
| Measure | Letcher County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,808 | 4,534,824 | −1,487 |
| Households | 8,463±267 | 1,814,469 | −1,258 |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.08 | 2.43 | +0.15 |
| Housing units | 10,603±31 | 2,023,116 | −1,155 |
Letcher County's population since 2000
From 25,277 in 2000 to 19,952 in 2025: down 21.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Letcher County?
Letcher County holds 8 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Jenkins with 1,733 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jenkins | 1,902 | $27,200 |
|---|---|---|
| Whitesburg | 1,773 | $29,189 |
| McRobertsGEOID 2149278 | 741 | not published |
| Fleming-Neon | 548 | $34,107 |
| MaykingGEOID 2150952 | 475 | not published |
| Payne GapGEOID 2159592 | 347 | $36,250 |
| BlackeyGEOID 2107012 | 109 | $11,629 |
| MillstoneGEOID 2152464 | 92 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Letcher County?
The median resident of Letcher County is 43.5 years old; 21.8% are under 18 and 20.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 96.5%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 1.5%.
| Measure | Letcher County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.5±0.8 | 39.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.8%±0.4 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.9%±0.2 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8% | 5.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 96.5%±0.5 pts | 81.5% | −1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.0%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2%±1.1 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 29.8%±2.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.4%±1.0 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.4%±2.7 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.5%±1.9 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.5%±1.4 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Letcher County earn?
Half of Letcher County's 8,463 households earn less than $41,793 a year (±$3,868), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 the median was $36,781 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,012 after inflation. 24.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Letcher County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,793±$3,868 | $63,726 | +$5,012 |
| Mean household income | $53,066±$3,699 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,681±$1,565 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.4%±3.5 pts | 16.1% | −9.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.9%±7.3 pts | 20.3% | −17.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.5%±3.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 86.6%±2.5 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Letcher County?
Owners occupy 74.1% of Letcher County's occupied homes and renters 25.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $67,400 by its owner (±$8,633). The median renter pays $669 a month including utilities, and 33.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Letcher County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $67,400±$8,633 | $205,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $669±$47 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.5%±9.6 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,079±$75 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.1%±3.8 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,603±31 | 2,023,116 | −1,155 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.0%±4.2 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.9%±3.5 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 32.3%±3.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 16.8%±2.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Letcher County building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units across Letcher County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Letcher County get to work?
71.5% of Letcher County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.2%.
| Measure | Letcher County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 43.1%±2.9 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.2%±2.1 pts | 4.9% | −6.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 71.5%±4.5 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 15.2%±5.0 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.4%±1.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±2.6 pts | 10.2% | +3.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.3 min±2.9 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Letcher County's census tracts?
Letcher County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $28,438 (Tract 9504.04) to $57,548 (Tract 9504.03).
| Tract 950121133950100 | 1,985±262 | $28,920 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9502.0121133950201 | 2,575±600 | $42,541 |
| Tract 9502.0221133950202 | 2,015±404 | $49,340 |
| Tract 950321133950300 | 1,246±335 | not published |
| Tract 9504.0121133950401 | 2,695±333 | $46,513 |
| Tract 9504.0321133950403 | 2,165±405 | $57,548 |
| Tract 9504.0421133950404 | 2,649±461 | $28,438 |
| Tract 950521133950500 | 1,349±230 | $42,552 |
| Tract 9506.0121133950601 | 1,511±345 | $36,415 |
| Tract 9506.0221133950602 | 2,618±824 | $51,201 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Letcher County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 55th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 117th of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 58th of 120 |
| Median household income | 102nd of 120 |
| Median home value | 120th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 99th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 23rd of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 105th of 120 |
| Median age | 19th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Letcher County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.