Whitley County, Kentucky

Whitley County
County
Whitley County courthouse in Williamsburg
Whitley County courthouse in Williamsburg
Official seal of Whitley County
Seal
Map of Kentucky highlighting Whitley County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°46′N 84°09′W / 36.76°N 84.15°W / 36.76; -84.15
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedJanuary 17, 1818
Named forWilliam Whitley
SeatWilliamsburg
Largest cityCorbin
Area
 • Total
445 sq mi (1,150 km2)
 • Land438 sq mi (1,130 km2)
 • Water7.3 sq mi (19 km2)  1.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
36,712
 • Estimate 
(2023)
36,825 Increase
 • Density82/sq mi (32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.whitleycountyfiscalcourt.com

Whitley County is a county located in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,712.[1] Its county seat is at Williamsburg,[2] though the largest city is Corbin, and the county's District Court (a trial court of limited jurisdiction) sits in both cities. Whitley County is included in the London, KY Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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The area now encompassed by Kentucky's Whitley County was first bounded in 1772, when all of what is now the state of Kentucky was in the frontier county of Fincastle County, Virginia. Fincastle was divided in 1776, with the western portion named Kentucky County, Virginia. In 1780, Virginia set aside all land in Kentucky County for soldiers who had served in the Revolutionary War. Kentucky County was divided into 3 counties, Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln. Lincoln County was divided in 1799, with part of becoming Knox County. On January 17, 1818, the Legislature removed the southwest portion of Knox to create a separate subdivision, named Whitley County. [3] In 1912, some of the previous Whitley area was partitioned off to create McCreary County.[4]

The new county was given the name of Whitley in honor of William Whitley, noted pioneer and Indian fighter. In the years prior to 1818, many skirmishes were fought between Indians and hunters and trappers in the area. Colonel William Whitley,[5] is famous locally for fighting many of these battles within the area, safeguarding the Wilderness Road, as well as for his service in the War of 1812, where he was killed at the Battle of the Thames. The county seat, Williamsburg, is also named for Colonel Whitley, with the first court held at the home of the town's earliest resident, Samuel Cox.[6]

Thomas Walker was the first known white man to see Whitley County. His expedition began in 1750. During his passage he named the Cumberland River, after the Duke of Cumberland.[4] The estimated population of Whitley County in 1818 was 500. It had increased to 7,522 by 1860; that number includes 186 slaves. Extension of a railroad spur into Whitley County (1883) provided significant impetus to its continued growth. Industry began to flourish - primarily lumber mills and coal mines. The Whitley County courthouse burned in 1931. It was replaced with federal funding.[4]

Its rugged terrain, densely forested woodlands, and a history of conflict with local Indian tribes all combined to make for a very slow rate of growth in Whitley County. The development of the coal mining industry in the area towards the late 1800s spurred on population growth as poor families from neighboring states rushed into the county and led to the formation of Corbin, still the largest city in Whitley County.

North Corbin, just north of Whitley County is home to Sanders Cafe, which is the birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken. It was founded there by Harland David Sanders, better known as Colonel Sanders, in 1930.

Law and government

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The current elected officials of Whitley County are:[7]

  • County Judge/Executive: Pat White Jr.
  • County Magistrate: Scotty Harrison
  • County Magistrate: Michael Jarboe
  • County Magistrate: Raleigh Meadors
  • County Magistrate: Mondo Cima
  • County Attorney: Don R. Moses
  • County Coroner: Andy Croley
  • County Treasurer: Nicholas Simpson
  • County Sheriff: Bill Elliotte
  • County Surveyor: Robert Moses
  • Property Valuation Administrator: Ronnie Moses
  • County Clerk: Carolyn Wilson
  • Circuit Court Clerk: Gary Barton

In congress Whitley county is served by Hal Rogers of the 5th congressional district.

Whitley County is a historically Republican county, and part of the pro-union bloc of southern Kentucky.[8] Although it does not match the nearby counties of Clay, Leslie, Jackson, Owsley, Monroe and the newer McCreary (all originally formed from Whitley) in having never voted Democratic,[9] the only Democrats who have carried the county were Woodrow Wilson in 1912 (when the Republican Party was bitterly divided) and Lyndon Baines Johnson over Barry Goldwater in 1964, with Goldwater losing by three votes.

United States presidential election results for Whitley County, Kentucky[10]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 12,687 84.16% 2,236 14.83% 151 1.00%
2020 12,567 81.84% 2,552 16.62% 237 1.54%
2016 11,312 82.13% 2,067 15.01% 395 2.87%
2012 10,232 78.27% 2,683 20.52% 157 1.20%
2008 10,015 73.08% 3,484 25.42% 205 1.50%
2004 9,559 70.14% 3,985 29.24% 85 0.62%
2000 7,502 63.72% 4,101 34.83% 171 1.45%
1996 5,402 50.58% 4,174 39.08% 1,104 10.34%
1992 5,998 49.30% 4,600 37.81% 1,569 12.90%
1988 7,337 65.58% 3,794 33.91% 57 0.51%
1984 7,851 68.17% 3,575 31.04% 90 0.78%
1980 7,007 63.26% 3,889 35.11% 181 1.63%
1976 6,100 58.70% 4,212 40.53% 80 0.77%
1972 6,788 74.91% 2,199 24.27% 75 0.83%
1968 5,639 59.74% 2,134 22.61% 1,666 17.65%
1964 4,779 49.79% 4,782 49.82% 38 0.40%
1960 7,553 71.84% 2,961 28.16% 0 0.00%
1956 7,759 74.33% 2,656 25.45% 23 0.22%
1952 7,030 70.22% 2,958 29.55% 23 0.23%
1948 5,611 64.03% 2,932 33.46% 220 2.51%
1944 6,378 73.05% 2,352 26.94% 1 0.01%
1940 6,502 61.36% 4,078 38.49% 16 0.15%
1936 5,733 64.27% 3,175 35.59% 12 0.13%
1932 6,186 62.99% 3,576 36.42% 58 0.59%
1928 8,060 83.26% 1,610 16.63% 10 0.10%
1924 4,716 68.38% 1,413 20.49% 768 11.14%
1920 7,235 82.04% 1,556 17.64% 28 0.32%
1916 3,919 76.27% 1,171 22.79% 48 0.93%
1912 723 22.89% 1,388 43.94% 1,048 33.18%

Public corruption

[edit]

From 2009 to 2011, young journalist Adam Sulfridge and his editor Samantha Swindler of the Times-Tribune (Corbin, KY) worked to expose corruption in the Whitley County Sheriff's Department. Then-Sheriff Lawrence "Larry" Hodge (R) was first elected in 2002. Sheriff Hodge built his reputation as a tough crime fighter, but most residents did not know the Sheriff accepted money in exchange for allowing defendants to walk free. Sheriff Hodge also stole seized firearms and drug evidence, according to the Times-Tribune and affidavits filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.[11]

On November 8, 2010 (while he was still Sheriff), a Whitley County grand jury returned a 21-count indictment against Hodge. He remained Sheriff until the end of 2010, as he was defeated in the Republican Party primary earlier in the year (May) in a landslide by Colan Harrell, who won in the general election in November. In the late spring of 2011, Hodge appeared in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in London and pleaded to an 'information.' That summer, Hodge was sentenced to 15.5 years in federal prison for drug trafficking, money laundering and extorting persons arrested by his department (with Williamsburg attorney Ronnie "Ron" W. Reynolds, who was sentenced to three years in federal prison for his part in the crimes). Kentucky state auditors determined at least $200,000 had been stolen or was otherwise missing from Sheriff Hodge's official accounts.

Geography

[edit]
Cumberland Falls

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 445 square miles (1,150 km2), of which 438 square miles (1,130 km2) is land and 7.3 square miles (19 km2) (1.6%) is water.[12]

Whitley County is located within the Cumberland Plateau of southeastern Kentucky, which is greatly overlapped by the broad Eastern Coal Field region of the state. Because of its location in the midst of Cumberland Mountains, elevations in the county range from 723 to 2,220 feet (220 to 677 m) above sea level.[13] 38,000 acres (150 km2) of western Whitley County are preserved within the Daniel Boone National Forest. Cumberland Falls, in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, is the largest waterfall in Kentucky. Both Daniel Boone Forest and Cumberland Falls State Park are operated by the Kentucky State Parks system, also located in the county. The county contains two regionally significant waterways, the Laurel and Cumberland rivers.

Geographic features

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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Transportation

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Major highways

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Airport

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  • KBYL, Williamsburg-Whitley County Airport

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,340—
18303,80662.6%
18404,67322.8%
18507,44759.4%
18607,7624.2%
18708,2786.6%
188012,00045.0%
189017,59046.6%
190025,01542.2%
191031,98227.9%
192027,749−13.2%
193029,7307.1%
194033,18611.6%
195031,940−3.8%
196025,815−19.2%
197024,145−6.5%
198033,39638.3%
199033,326−0.2%
200035,8657.6%
201035,637−0.6%
202036,7123.0%
2023 (est.)36,825[14]0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17]
1990–2000[18] 2010–2020[1]

As of the census[19] of 2000, there were 35,865 people, 13,780 households, and 9,894 families residing in the county. The population density was 82 per square mile (32/km2). There were 15,288 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.37% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. 0.69% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 13,780 households, out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.90% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 25.80% under 18, 10.80% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $22,075, and the median income for a family was $27,871. Males had a median income of $26,518 versus $17,001 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,777. About 21.60% of families and 26.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.10% of those under age 18 and 19.00% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

[edit]

Whitley County's economy has always relied heavily on its natural resources, particularly coal and timber from the area's heavily forested, mountainous terrain. Due to the rough territory created by the Cumberland Mountains, agriculture in the county has historically been less significant, although tobacco and corn are grown in some areas.

Education

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K-12

[edit]

Three public school districts serve the county:[20]

Colleges and universities

[edit]

The University of the Cumberlands (formerly known as Cumberland College), located in Williamsburg, is the largest private university in Kentucky, and the only university with its main campus in Whitley County. The school's sports teams play on the NAIA level and provide college level sporting events for the local community.

In addition, Eastern Kentucky University maintains a branch campus in the Whitley County portion of Corbin just outside Woodbine.

Alcohol sales

[edit]

Whitley County, which had historically been dry, is now officially classified by the state as a moist county - sale of alcohol in the county is prohibited except in certain areas as voted on by the residents of the area, including at least one area of the county allowing full retail alcohol sales. In Whitley County, the areas that permit alcohol sales are:

  • The city of Corbin voted in February 2012 to allow full retail alcohol sales in the city limits after voting in 2006 to allow by the drink alcohol sales in qualifying restaurants.[24]
  • The city of Williamsburg voted in June 2016 to allow full retail alcohol sales in the city limits after voting in 2012 to allow by-the-drink alcohol sales in qualifying restaurants.[25]

Communities

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Cities

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 13, 2006. Retrieved June 19, 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ a b c History of Whitley County. Archived March 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Vol.1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 37.
  6. ^ "Whitley County, Kentucky". Uky.edu. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  7. ^ "Elected Officials". Whitley Country Fiscal Court. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  8. ^ Sullivan, Robert David; "How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century"; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  9. ^ Maxwell, Brandt; "A Few Lists of 2008 Election Results (Part II)"
  10. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  11. ^ "Ex-Ky sheriff admits to kickbacks; faces prison". Fox News. May 12, 2011. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "Whitley County, Kentucky - Kentucky Atlas and Gazetteer". Uky.edu. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  14. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  17. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  19. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Whitley County, KY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. - Text list - For more detailed boundaries of the independent school districts see: "Appendix B: Maps Of Independent School Districts In Operation In FY 2014-FY 2015 Using 2005 Tax District Boundaries – Corbin ISD / Williamsburg ISD" (PDF). Research Report No. 415 – Kentucky's Independent School Districts: A Primer. Frankfort, KY: Office of Education Accountability, Legislative Research Commission. September 15, 2015. pp. 99 (Corbin), 137 (Williamsburg) (PDF p. 113, 151). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2020.
  21. ^ www.whitley.kyschools.us Whitley Schools
  22. ^ www.wburg.kyschools.us Williamsburg Schools
  23. ^ www.corbinschools.org Corbin Schools
  24. ^ Noble, Jeff (February 15, 2012). "Corbin says 'Yes'". The Times-Tribune. Corbin, Kentucky. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  25. ^ Voters in Whitley County vote yes to expanded alcohol sales
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36°46′N 84°09′W / 36.76°N 84.15°W / 36.76; -84.15

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