Your life in Whitley County, Kentucky

What stands out

Three things set Whitley County apart from the other 3,142 counties: violent crime is in the top 3% of American counties (5.1 per 1,000), life expectancy is in the bottom 4% of American counties (70.0 years), and rainfall is in the top 4% of American counties (58 inches a year). Within Kentucky it ranks 44th of 120 counties for violent crime.

Where you are

You live in Whitley County, Kentucky. 36,648 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -55).

Kentucky moved to a flat income tax, 3.5% for 2026, and exempts the first $31,110 of pension and retirement income per person. It has an inheritance tax, but spouses, children, parents and siblings are exempt. Home prices are among the lowest in the country outside Louisville and Lexington, and the state has some of the cheapest electricity, much of it still coal-fired.

Money

The typical household here brings in $44,332 a year, lower than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,563. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 79% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,552 a year.

Home

The median home costs $149K, cheaper than 84% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $670 a month. Property tax is 0.72% of home value, roughly $825 a year on that median home, lower than 63% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 97% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 35 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 70.0 years, shorter than 96% of American counties. There are 66 active physicians in the county, about 18.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 7.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.26 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 71% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 65 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% of eligible voters turned out. Under Kentucky law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 68 and lows near 46, warmer than 55% of American counties. About 58 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 56 out of 100, riskier than 56% of American counties; the county has had 38 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 269 Mbps down, faster than 83% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.

Where these numbers come from

• BLS QCEW 2024
• CDC 2024
• CMS 2024
• Census 2023
• Census ACS
• Census ACS 2022
• Census Population Estimates 2023
• Census SAHIE 2024
• County Health Rankings 2024
• Derived from ACS 2022 home value / household income
• FAA Airport Database
• FEMA Disaster Declarations 1953–2026
• FEMA National Risk Index 2023 (0–100, all hazards)
• HRSA Area Health Resources File 2023
• IMLS
• NOAA Climate Normals
• National Park Service
• Ookla Speedtest Intelligence
• Open Brewery DB
• OpenElections 2024
• SEDA via County Health Rankings 2024 (3.0 = at grade level; not a Z-score)
• Tax Foundation 2023
• USDA Food Environment Atlas
• Zillow ZHVI 2024
• Kentucky tax and law data: state revenue department, Tax Foundation, Giffords, Guttmacher (2026)

Percentiles compare this county with every other county that reports the same figure. Missing figures are left out rather than guessed. Share this page: the address is permanent.