County · Kentucky
Whitley County, Kentucky
Whitley County, Kentucky. Whitley County had 37,297 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 5 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 12 census tracts. GEOID 21235.
Whitley County is one of the 4 counties of the Corbin, KY micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
37,297
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 36,712 · ACS 2020-2024: 36,920
Median household income
$44,615
±$4,358 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$131,800
±$11,572 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$798
±$45 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Whitley County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 36,712 residents in Whitley County. The Census Bureau estimates 37,297 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 36,920 over 438 square miles of land.
| Measure | Whitley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 36,920 | 4,534,824 | +789 |
| Households | 13,541±361 | 1,814,469 | +921 |
| Average household size | 2.60±0.07 | 2.43 | −0.11 |
| Housing units | 15,629±35 | 2,023,116 | +177 |
Whitley County's population since 2000
From 35,865 in 2000 to 37,297 in 2025: up 4.0%. 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 Whitley County?
Whitley County holds 5 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Corbin with 7,911 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Corbin | 7,856 | $51,065 |
|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg | 5,326 | $38,147 |
| EmlynGEOID 2124922 | 417 | $54,423 |
| RockholdsGEOID 2166162 | 330 | $31,025 |
| Pleasant ViewGEOID 2161734 | 326 | $46,020 |
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 Whitley County?
The median resident of Whitley County is 35.2 years old; 26.2% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.1%. 0.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Whitley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.2±0.3 | 39.1 | −1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 26.2%±0.2 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 5.0% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.4%±0.5 pts | 81.5% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±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%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.0%±0.6 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.1%±0.9 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 21.9%±2.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.2%±1.4 pts | 6.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.3%±2.0 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.9%±2.5 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.0%±1.6 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.9%±0.9 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 Whitley County earn?
Half of Whitley County's 13,541 households earn less than $44,615 a year (±$4,358), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $48,003 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 26.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Whitley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,615±$4,358 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $63,305±$4,870 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,353±$1,875 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 26.3%±3.2 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 31.0%±6.5 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.7%±2.6 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.3%±3.0 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 Whitley County?
Owners occupy 66.8% of Whitley County's occupied homes and renters 33.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $131,800 by its owner (±$11,572). The median renter pays $798 a month including utilities, and 36.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Whitley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $131,800±$11,572 | $205,600 | +$17,961 |
| Median gross rent | $798±$45 | $967 | +$55 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.2%±6.6 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,156±$81 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.8%±3.2 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,629±35 | 2,023,116 | +177 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.3%±1.2 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.5%±3.1 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 24.1%±2.8 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.2%±1.7 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 Whitley County building?
Builders took permits for 52 new housing units across Whitley County in 2025 (16 single-family), 1.4 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 Whitley County get to work?
72.5% of Whitley County's workers drive alone and 9.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.4%.
| Measure | Whitley County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 51.8%±2.3 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.4%±1.6 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.5%±3.7 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.3%±2.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 2.5%±1.2 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.9%±2.1 pts | 10.2% | +6.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.5 min±1.7 | 24.0 min | +2.8 min |
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 Whitley County's census tracts?
Whitley County is divided into 12 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $34,224 (Tract 9204.02) to $78,180 (Tract 9202).
| Tract 920121235920100 | 2,706±329 | $46,568 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 920221235920200 | 3,254±420 | $78,180 |
| Tract 9203.0121235920301 | 1,559±303 | $57,768 |
| Tract 9203.0221235920302 | 5,037±648 | $39,250 |
| Tract 9204.0121235920401 | 1,981±430 | $67,404 |
| Tract 9204.0221235920402 | 4,094±748 | $34,224 |
| Tract 9205.0121235920501 | 1,406±384 | $40,057 |
| Tract 9205.0221235920502 | 5,458±1,104 | $39,861 |
| Tract 9206.0121235920601 | 1,314±303 | $32,361 |
| Tract 9206.0221235920602 | 4,405±407 | $48,900 |
| Tract 920721235920700 | 3,639±536 | $46,924 |
| Tract 920821235920800 | 2,067±670 | $35,401 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Whitley County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 28th of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 63rd of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 42nd of 120 |
| Median household income | 99th of 120 |
| Median home value | 75th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 17th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31st of 120 |
| Median age | 116th 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 Whitley 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.