Letcher County, Kentucky facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Letcher County
U.S. county
Letcher County courthouse in Whitesburg
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
Founded	1842
Named for	Robert P. Letcher
Seat	Whitesburg
Largest city	Jenkins
Area
• Total	339 sq mi (880 km2)
• Land	338 sq mi (880 km2)
• Water	1.1 sq mi (3 km2)  0.3%
Population  (2020)
• Total	21,548
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th

Letcher County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,519. Its county seat is Whitesburg. The county, founded in 1842, is named for Robert P. Letcher, Governor of Kentucky from 1840 to 1844.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 339 square miles (880 km²), of which 338 square miles (880 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) (0.3%) 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)

National protected area

• Jefferson National Forest (part)

Cities

• Blackey
• Fleming-Neon
• Jenkins
• Whitesburg (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Mayking
• McRoberts
• Millstone
• Payne Gap

Other unincorporated places

Economy

Coal companies in Letcher County

• Alpha Natural Resources
• James River Coal Company
• Rhino Resource Partners
• United Coal Company

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 25,277 people, 10,085 households, and 7,462 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 per square mile (29/km²). There were 11,405 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km²). 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.

The age distribution was 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.

Education

Two public school districts operate in the county.

Letcher County Public Schools

Most K-12 students in the county, with the exception of those living in the far eastern part of the county surrounding Jenkins, are served by the Letcher County Public Schools. The district operates nine elementary/middle schools, one vocational school, one high school, and an alternative education center.

In 2005, the doors to the new Letcher County Central High School were opened in Ermine (the school's postal address, however, is in Whitesburg), with total costs of over $25,000,000. The school's nickname is the Cougars, and the school colors are blue, black, and silver. The school volleyball team has been to the state tournament every year since its creation and the wrestling team has had multiple regional champions. The baseball team has claimed three region titles in 2007, 2011, and 2013, with two state tournament appearances and one semi-state appearance. The boys Cross Country team has had 3 region championships and an individual region champion. The Girls basketball team made a State sweet sixteen appearance.

Jenkins Independent Schools

Students in the Jenkins area are served by the Jenkins Independent Schools, which operates two elementary schools (located on two campuses in the communities of McRoberts and Burdine) and a combined middle and high school with grades 7–12. Jenkins Independent Schools celebrated its 100th year in 2012. The middle/high school's athletic nickname is the Cavaliers/Lady Cavaliers. The school colors are Kelly Green and White.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Public transportation is provided by LKLP Community Action Partnership with demand-response service and scheduled service from Whitesburg to Hazard.

Notable people

• Harry M. Caudill (1922–1990), author, historian, professor, lawyer, legislator, and environmentalist
• Jack K. Hale (1928–2009), mathematician
• 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, 1944–2003)
• Martha Carson (Country/gospel music singer, 1920–2004)
• Lee Sexton (Country, bluegrass, old-time musician)
• Tom Gish, died 2008, publisher of the Mountain Eagle in Whitesburg, grew up in the county
• Francis Gary Powers (August 17, 1929 – August 1, 1977) was an American pilot whose CIA U-2 spy plane was shot down while over the Soviet Union, causing the 1960 U-2 incident.
• Kenny Baker (June 26, 1926 – July 8, 2011) was an American fiddle player best known for his 25-year tenure with Bill Monroe and his group The Blue Grass Boys.

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Letcher para niños