Letcher County, KY

County

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2019 Population

22,295

1.68% 1-year decline

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

42.4

0.474% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

33.6%

3.73% 1-year increase

2019 Median Household Income

$29,886

0.1% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$58,600

0.171% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

7,050

0.815% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Letcher County, KY had a population of 22.3k people with a median age of 42.4 and a median household income of $29,886. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Letcher County, KY declined from 22,676 to 22,295, a −1.68% decrease and its median household income grew from $29,856 to $29,886, a 0.1% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Letcher County, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (97.5%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (0.919%), White (Hispanic) (0.377%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.372%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.265%). 0% of the households in Letcher County, KY speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

99.7% of the residents in Letcher County, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Letcher County, KY are Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology (12 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2019, the median property value in Letcher County, KY was $58,600, and the homeownership rate was 74.2%. Most people in Letcher County, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 25.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Letcher County, KY was 2 cars per household.

Letcher County, KY borders Harlan County, KY, Knott County, KY, Perry County, KY, Pike County, KY, and Wise County, VA.

United States Kentucky

Diversity

Letcher County, KY is home to a population of 22.3k people, from which 99.7% are citizens. As of 2019, 0.435% of Letcher County, KY residents were born outside of the country (97 people).

In 2019, there were 106 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (21.7k people) in Letcher County, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 205 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 84 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Letcher County, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
21.7k ± 23
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
205 ± 86.1
White (Hispanic)
84 ± 44

0.803%

Hispanic Population

179 people

0.803% of the people in Letcher County, KY are hispanic (179 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Letcher County, KY as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

0.435%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

97 people

0.445%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

101 people

As of 2019, 0.435% of Letcher County, KY residents (97 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Letcher County, KY was 0.445%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Letcher County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 1

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 4.2

In 2019, the median age of all people in Letcher County, KY was 42.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 43, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Letcher County, KY are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Letcher County, KY residents was 42.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
31,769 ± 4,360 people
India
12,409 ± 2,731 people
Cuba
11,319 ± 2,609 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 31,769 Kentucky residents, followed by India with 12,409 and Cuba with 11,319.

Citizenship

99.7%

2019 Citizenship

99.8%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 99.7% of Letcher County, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Letcher County, KY was 99.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Letcher County, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
252 ± 97
Gulf War (1990s)
124 ± 68
Korea
81 ± 51

Letcher County, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.03 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Kentucky. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Kentucky, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Kentucky across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Letcher County, KY is $29,886. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Letcher County, KY was Census Tract 9504.01 with a value of $32,717, followed by Census Tract 9504.02 and Census Tract 9506, with respective values of $31,395 and $30,690.

Males in Kentucky have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,437. The income inequality in Kentucky (measured using the Gini index) is 0.456, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Letcher County, KY employs 7.05k people. The largest industries in Letcher County, KY are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,666 people), Retail Trade (1,016 people), and Educational Services (927 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($62,995), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($62,689), and Information ($55,739).

Wages

Median Household Income

$29,886

2019 value

± $2,473

0.1%

1 Year Growth

± 11.4%

Households in Letcher County, KY have a median annual income of $29,886, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $29,856 in 2018, which represents a 0.1% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Letcher County, KY compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

$59,994

Average Male Salary in Kentucky

± $1,633

$44,437

Average Female Salary in Kentucky

± $1,156

In 2019, full-time male employees in Kentucky made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Kentucky by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Kentucky

Asian
$58,983 ± $10,861
White
$46,691 ± $986
American Indian
$38,377 ± $15,879

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Kentucky workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.26 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Kentucky.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Kentucky by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Letcher County, KY is from Kentucky.

0.456

2019 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.456

2018 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2019, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.456 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.114% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9504.01
Census Tract 9504.02
Census Tract 9506

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Letcher County, KY was Census Tract 9504.01 with a value of $32,717, followed by Census Tract 9504.02 and Census Tract 9506, with respective values of $31,395 and $30,690.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Letcher County, KY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 45 - 54

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

33.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Letcher County, KY (7.41k out of 22k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 45 - 54, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 55 - 64.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
7,304 ± 535
Hispanic
75 ± 105
Two Or More
63 ± 102

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Letcher County, KY is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

7.05k

2019 Value

± 617

0.815%

1 Year growth

± 12.1%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Letcher County, KY grew at a rate of 0.815%, from 6.99k employees to 7.05k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Letcher County, KY, are Sales & Related Occupations (843 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (756 people), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (680 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Letcher County, KY.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Letcher County, KY, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (843 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (756 people), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (680 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Letcher County, KY has an unusually high number of residents working as Health Technologists & Technicians (3.12 times higher than expected), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations (2.37 times), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.8 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Letcher County, KY, by median earnings, are Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($75,288), Management Occupations ($60,625), and Management, Business, & Financial Occupations ($57,188).

Industries

Employment by Industries

7.05k

2019 Value

± 617

0.815%

1 Year growth

± 12.1%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Letcher County, KY grew at a rate of 0.815%, from 6.99k employees to 7.05k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Letcher County, KY, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,666 people), Retail Trade (1,016 people), and Educational Services (927 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Letcher County, KY, though some of these residents may live in Letcher County, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Letcher County, KY, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,666 people), Retail Trade (1,016 people), and Educational Services (927 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Letcher County, KY has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (11.7 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.7 times), and Educational Services (1.42 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Letcher County, KY, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($62,995), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($62,689), and Information ($55,739).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $57B, followed by Electronics ($34.7B) and Machinery ($31.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kentucky products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kentucky.

$326B

2020 Value in Kentucky

$644B

Projected 2050 Value in Kentucky

97.4% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kentucky trade was $326B. This is expected to increase 97.4% to $644B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kentucky trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Most Common Trade Partners

Tennessee
$24.4B
Ohio
$18.8B
California
$17.9B

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Tennessee with $24.4B, followed by Ohio with $18.8B and California and $17.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kentucky shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Letcher County, KY went to Donald J. Trump with 79.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (19.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.755%). The most partisan county was Leslie County, KY with 89.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (79.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (19.7%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.755%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Letcher County, KY for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Kentucky.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Letcher County, KY

79.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Kentucky

Leslie County, KY
89.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Jackson County, KY
89.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Martin County, KY
89% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Kentucky was Leslie County, KY with 89.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Kentucky colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Kentucky

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kentucky have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Letcher County, KY awarded 12 degrees. The student population of Letcher County, KY is skewed towards women, with 0 male students and 31 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Letcher County, KY are White (12 and 100%), followed by Asian (0 and 0%), Black or African American (0 and 0%), and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders (0 and 0%).

The largest universities in Letcher County, KY by number of degrees awarded are Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology (12 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Letcher County, KY are General Cosmetology (11 and 91.7%) and Cosmetology, Barber, & Nail Instructor (1 and 8.33%).

Concentrations

Most Common

General Cosmetology
11 degree-majorss awarded
N/A
N/A degree-majorss awarded
N/A
N/A degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate recipients in Letcher County, KY was General Cosmetology with 11 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a 2 to 4 Year Postsecondary Certificate from schools in Letcher County, KY according to their major.

Universities

Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

12 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Letcher County, KY institution with the largest number of graduating students was Jenny Lea Academy of Cosmetology with 12 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

Degrees Awarded to Men

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 0 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Letcher County, KY, which is 0 times less than the 12 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Letcher County, KY by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
12 degrees awarded
Asian
0 degrees awarded
Black or African American
0 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Letcher County, KY was White students. These 12 degrees mean that there were Infinityk times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Asian, with 0 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Letcher County, KY was $58,600 in 2019, which is 0.244 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $58,500 to $58,600, a 0.171% increase. The homeownership rate in Letcher County, KY is 74.2%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Letcher County, KY have an average commute time of 25.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Letcher County, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$58,600

2019 Median

± $4,200

$58,500

2018 Median

± $4,337

In 2019, the median property value in Letcher County, KY grew to to $58,600 from the previous year's value of $58,500.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Letcher County, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Letcher County, KY the largest share of households have a property value in the $50k - $60k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$29,886

Median Household Income

± $2,473

9.72k

Number of Households

± 711

In 2019, the median household income of the 9.72k households in Letcher County, KY grew to $29,886 from the previous year's value of $29,856.

The following chart displays the households in Letcher County, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Letcher County, KY distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Letcher County, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

74.2%

2019 Homeownership

75.5%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 74.2% of the housing units in Letcher County, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 75.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Letcher County, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

25.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Letcher County, KY have a shorter commute time (25.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.32% of the workforce in Letcher County, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Letcher County, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (84%)
Carpooled (7.19%)
Worked At Home (4.19%)

In 2019, 84% of workers in Letcher County, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.19%) and those who worked at home (4.19%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Letcher County, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Letcher County, KY have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

95.2% of the population of Letcher County, KY has health coverage, with 27.4% on employee plans, 41.3% on Medicaid, 16.7% on Medicare, 8.88% on non-group plans, and 0.846% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Kentucky was $8,004 in 2014. This is a 6.11% increase from the previous year ($7,543).

Primary care physicians in Letcher County, KY see 1369 patients per year on average, which represents a 14.2% decrease from the previous year (1596 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2694 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1268 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Knott County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (21%). Additionally, Owsley County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (46.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,369 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Letcher County, KY

Primary care physicians in Letcher County, KY see an average of 1,369 patients per year. This represents a 14.2% decrease from the previous year (1,596 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Letcher County, KY in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

$8,004

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Kentucky

$4,551

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,016

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,368

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Kentucky (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.11%, from $7,543 to $8,004.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

4.81%

Uninsured

27.4%

Employer Coverage

41.3%

Medicaid

16.7%

Medicare

8.88%

Non-Group

0.846%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Letcher County, KY declined by 11.1% from 5.41% to 4.81%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Letcher County, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.