Letcher County, Kentucky

Letcher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 25,277. Its county seat is Whitesburg ⁶. The county is named for Robert P. Letcher, Governor of Kentucky 1840-44.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 878 km² (339 mi²). 878 km² (339 mi²) of it is land and 0 km² (0 mi²) of it (0.02%) is water. Letcher County's natural areas include Bad Branch Falls and the Lilley Cornett Woods.

Adjacent counties

Knott County (northwest)
Pike County (northeast)
Wise County, Virginia (southeast)
Harlan County (south)
Perry County (southwest)

Demographics

2000 25,277
1990 27,000
1980 30,687
1970 23,165
1960 30,102
1950 39,522
1940 40,592
1930 35,702
1920 24,467
1910 10,623
1900 9,172
1890 6,920
1880 6,601
1870 4,608
1860 3,904
1850 2,512

'''Letcher County Population by year

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 25,277 people, 10,085 households, and 7,462 families residing in the county. The population density was 29/km² (75/mi²). There were 11,405 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (34/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.71% White, 0.51% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.35% from two or more races. 0.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,085 households out of which 32.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $21,110, and the median income for a family was $24,869. Males had a median income of $30,488 versus $17,902 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,984. About 23.70% of families and 27.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.90% of those under age 18 and 21.20% of those age 65 or over.

Famous residents

Harry M. Caudill (author, historian, professor, lawyer, legislator, and environmentalist, 1922-1990)
Emery L. Frazier (Mayor, state representative, Chief Clerk of the U.S. Senate, Secretary of the U.S. Senate, 1896-1973)
Gary Stewart (Country music singer and musician, 1945-2003)
Martha Carson (Country/gospel music singer, 1920-2004)
Marion Sumner ("The Fiddle King of the South," country, Western swing, bluegrass musician, 1920-1997)
Lee "Boy" Sexton (Country, bluegrass, old-time musician)

Cities and towns

Whitesburg

External links

Kentucky counties | Letcher County, Kentucky