Whitesburg, KY

Kentucky

Whitesburg is a small town in Kentucky with a population of 1,998. Residents earn $31,875 per year, which is 58% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,998 Population 638/sq mi density
$31,875 Median Income $24,211 per capita
$111,300 Home Value $86,305 Zillow
$619 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$31,875 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$111,300 home value, $619/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
21.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,875
58% lower than US avg
Home Value $111,300
61% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.9%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $619
47% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 38.7%
212% higher than US avg

How Whitesburg Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,998
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density638/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

C
Median Income$31,875
Per Capita$24,211
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty38.7%
County GDP$539M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$111,300
Rent$619
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$86,305

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property294/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary98/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain50.6 in/yr
Elevation1,146 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.9%
High School+86.5%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 17%
Commute18 min
Libraries5

Is Whitesburg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Whitesburg receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Whitesburg offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Whitesburg is $31,875, 58% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 38.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Whitesburg is $111,300, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $619 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Whitesburg is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 294 per 100,000, 85% below the national average.

Education

21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Whitesburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Whitesburg has a population of 1,998 with a density of 638 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.3%).

Population

1,998
Total Population
638
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
3.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.3%
Female 55.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Whitesburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Whitesburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Whitesburg is $31,875, which is 58% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 38.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Whitesburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,875
58% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,211
Avg Weekly Wage$885
IRS Avg AGI$50,467

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate38.7%
212% above US avg
Establishments (County)500
County GDP$539M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare51
Retail56
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,300
34% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.07%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.2 min
Work from Home11.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Whitesburg is $111,300, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $619 (47% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $86,305.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$111,300
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$86,305

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$619
47% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied50.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,300
34% below US avg
Effective Rate2.07%

Health Metrics: Whitesburg vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Premature Death18,646/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access67.0%
Healthcare Facilities51
Whitesburg has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 294 per 100,000 (85% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Whitesburg vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property294.4/100K
85% below US avg
Burglary98.1/100K
Theft98.1/100K
Vehicle Theft98.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Whitesburg has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average53.9°F
0% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.6 inches
33% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,146 ft (349 m)
Area3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)
Population Density638/sq mi
Coordinates37.1178°N, 82.8230°W
County FIPS21133
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 21.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 64-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.2%
D 17.3%

Winner: Republican by 64 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.9%
35% below US avg
High School+86.5%
School Test Score5.50
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density638/sq mi
Total Area3.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities51
Restaurants25
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.2 min
Work from Home11.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Whitesburg with another city: