Whitley County Demographics

A map of Whitley County's Population by Race

Whitley County, Kentucky had a population of 36,712 in 2020. It was 92.8% White, 1.4% Black, 0.6% Asian, 1.9% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American/Other, and 2.9% Multiracial. This map presents the population of Whitley County, with one dot drawn for each person counted in the 2020 Census, color-coded by race.

Whitley County is the 28th most populous county of the 120 counties in Kentucky.

Whitley County's White Population

34,076 residents of Whitley County identify as White, or 92.8%. This makes the White share of the population of Whitley County slightly larger than the White share of the population of Kentucky (81.3% White). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Whitley County is ranked #44 in terms of White residents as a share of the population.

Whitley County is more White than neighboring McCreary County (89.2% White), and Bell County (92.6% White). Whitley County is less White than neighboring Knox County (94.4% White), Laurel County (93.4% White), and Campbell County (94.5% White).

Whitley County's Black Population

531 residents of Whitley County identify as Black, or 1.4%. This makes the Black share of the population of Whitley County slightly less than the Black share of the population of Kentucky (7.9% Black). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Whitley County is ranked #69 in terms of Black residents as a share of the population.

Whitley County is more Black than neighboring Knox County (0.9% Black), Laurel County (0.7% Black), and Campbell County (0.3% Black). Whitley County is less Black than neighboring McCreary County (5.4% Black), and Bell County (2.3% Black).

Whitley County's Asian Population

204 residents of Whitley County identify as Asian, or 0.6%. This makes the Asian share of the population of Whitley County roughly similar to the Asian share of the population of Kentucky (1.6% Asian). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Whitley County is ranked #35 in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population.

Whitley County is more Asian than neighboring Knox County (0.3% Asian), McCreary County (0.2% Asian), Campbell County (0.2% Asian), and Bell County (0.5% Asian). Whitley County is less Asian than neighboring Laurel County (0.7% Asian).

Whitley County's Hispanic Population

687 residents of Whitley County identify as Hispanic, or 1.9%. This makes the Hispanic share of the population of Whitley County roughly similar to the Hispanic share of the population of Kentucky (4.6% Hispanic). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Whitley County is ranked #72 in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population.

Whitley County is more Hispanic than neighboring Knox County (1.1% Hispanic), Laurel County (1.6% Hispanic), Campbell County (1.3% Hispanic), and Bell County (1% Hispanic). Whitley County is less Hispanic than neighboring McCreary County (2.2% Hispanic).

Whitley County's Native American/Other Population

149 residents of Whitley County identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other, or 0.4%. This makes the Native American/Other share of the population of Whitley County roughly similar to the Native American/Other share of the population of Kentucky (0.6% Native American/Other). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Whitley County is ranked #68 in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population.

Whitley County is less Native American/Other than neighboring McCreary County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Whitley County's Multiracial Population

1,065 residents of Whitley County identify as Multiracial, or 2.9%. This makes the Multiracial share of the population of Whitley County roughly similar to the Multiracial share of the population of Kentucky (3.9% Multiracial). Of the 120 counties in Kentucky, Whitley County is ranked #74 in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population.

Whitley County is more Multiracial than neighboring Knox County (2.8% Multiracial), and McCreary County (2.6% Multiracial). Whitley County is less Multiracial than neighboring Laurel County (3.2% Multiracial), Campbell County (3.3% Multiracial), and Bell County (3.2% Multiracial).

Source: 2020 Census State Redistricting Data and Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.