Whitley City ZIP Code List — Mccreary County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Whitley City, Kentucky and it is 42653. Area code: 606.

ZIP codes

81.20

sq mi land

1.24

sq mi water

606

area code

Whitley City, KY ZIP code map

About Whitley City, KY

Whitley City, Kentucky, is a small but charming community located in McCreary County. Known for its picturesque landscapes and friendly atmosphere, it offers a sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle of larger cities. The city is rich in local culture and is an appealing destination for those interested in the beauty of Kentucky's countryside.

Location & geography

Whitley City is situated in the southeastern region of Kentucky within McCreary County. It is surrounded by several nearby cities, including Stearns, approximately 13 miles to the northeast, and Pine Knot, about 11 miles to the south. The terrain consists of rolling hills and forests, while the city covers a land area of 81.20 square miles and includes a water area of 1.24 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Whitley City is marked by its close-knit community and a slower pace of life that appeals to both residents and visitors. The local economy is primarily driven by industries such as forestry, agriculture, and tourism, making it an essential hub for outdoor activities. Daily life in Whitley City revolves around community events, family gatherings, and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Transportation

Whitley City is served by US Route 27, which provides access to larger cities and surrounding regions. The nearest major airport is the McGhee Tyson Airport, located approximately 100 miles to the north, providing regional air travel options. Public transportation options in the area are limited, making personal vehicles the most common mode of transit.

History

Whitley City was founded in the late 1800s, primarily developed due to the timber industry and the natural resources of McCreary County. Key industries have evolved over the years, with a strong emphasis on forestry and local craftsmanship. Notable events in the city's history include the establishment of various community organizations that have fostered a spirit of cooperation among residents.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Whitley City is that it hosts a variety of outdoor recreational activities due to its close proximity to the Daniel Boone National Forest. This makes it a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing among nature enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Whitley City, KY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
42653	Whitley City	Mccreary	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,113

Population

37.2

Median age

$42,589

Median household income

$17,636

Per capita income

$111,900

Median home value

$614

Median monthly rent

70.9%

Home ownership

26.8%

Poverty rate

4.4%

Unemployment

1,470

Housing units

5.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

134

Under 5

115

182

5–9

156

164

10–14

140

146

15–19

125

135

20–24

115

295

25–34

253

322

35–44

276

268

45–54

229

134

55–59

114

145

60–64

125

164

65–74

140

109

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,109	27.0%
18 and over	3,004	73.0%
65 and over	540	13.1%
Median age	37.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 93.6%

Black or African American 2.3%

Two or more races 1.9%

Hispanic or Latino 1.3%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.5%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	3,904	93.6%
Black or African American	96	2.3%
Two or more races	81	1.9%
Hispanic or Latino	56	1.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	20	0.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 9.5%

$10k–$15k 9.6%

$15k–$25k 15.4%

$25k–$35k 12.9%

$35k–$50k 6.1%

$50k–$75k 18.7%

$75k–$100k 16.6%

$100k–$150k 7.1%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	9.5%
$10k–$15k	9.6%
$15k–$25k	15.4%
$25k–$35k	12.9%
$35k–$50k	6.1%
$50k–$75k	18.7%
$75k–$100k	16.6%
$100k–$150k	7.1%
$150k–$200k	4.1%
Median income	$42,589

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 13.3%

$50k–$100k 22.8%

$100k–$150k 34.4%

$150k–$200k 13.0%

$200k–$300k 10.7%

$300k–$500k 2.8%

$500k–$1M 0.8%

$1M+ 2.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$111,900
Median rent / month	$614
Owner occupied	70.9%
Renter occupied	29.1%
Vacant	31.6%
Single-family detached	60.7%
Large apartment buildings	1.4%
Mobile homes	25.7%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	3.49

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	10.1%
2000–2009	7.2%
1990–1999	24.5%
1980–1989	21.8%
1970–1979	20.9%
1960–1969	1.9%
1950–1959	0.7%
1940–1949	5.7%
1939 or earlier	7.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.0%
1 bedroom	8.6%
2 bedrooms	23.6%
3 bedrooms	44.9%
4 bedrooms	12.6%
5+ bedrooms	6.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	9.5%
1 vehicle	28.4%
2 vehicles	33.6%
3 or more	28.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	6.2%
Electricity	78.3%
Propane / LP gas	1.6%
Fuel oil	2.8%
Wood	8.8%
No fuel used	1.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	687	54.7%
Cohabiting couple	7	0.6%
Male householder, no spouse	268	21.3%
Female householder, no spouse	294	23.4%
Households with children under 18	433	34.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	436	34.7%
Average household size	3.21

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	30.8%	19.2%
Married	52.3%	51.3%
Separated	5.2%	2.7%
Widowed	2.9%	7.6%
Divorced	8.8%	19.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 12.1%

Some HS, no diploma 9.4%

HS graduate 39.3%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 11.4%

Bachelor's degree 2.4%

Graduate / professional 3.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	78.5%
Bachelor's or higher	5.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	79	7.9%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	528	53.1%
High school	289	29.0%
College / grad school	99	9.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 16.6%

Public administration 13.9%

Manufacturing 11.4%

Retail trade 9.0%

Transportation & utilities 6.4%

Finance & real estate 4.6%

Construction 4.3%

Wholesale trade 4.0%

Information 3.3%

Other services 2.7%

Professional & management 2.5%

Agriculture & mining 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	34.9%
Service	24.5%
Sales & office	18.0%
Natural resources & construction	7.6%
Production & transportation	15.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.9%
Government	20.7%
Self-employed	2.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.4%
Carpool	5.9%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	5.6%
Other means	0.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.9

Poverty

All people 26.8%

Under 18 years 23.2%

18 and over 28.1%

Married-couple families 20.2%

Female-led households 26.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.4%
Retirement income	15.0%
Supplemental Security	12.7%
Cash public assistance	4.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	24.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	45.8%
High cholesterol	39.6%
Heart disease	9.4%
Stroke	4.7%
Asthma	13.0%
Arthritis	34.7%
Kidney disease	4.0%
Pulmonary disease	15.2%
Cancer	6.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.5%
No physical activity	39.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	41.5%
Fair or poor health	29.0%
Poor mental health	21.6%
Poor physical health	19.2%
No health insurance	13.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.1%
Visited dentist	42.9%
Cholesterol screening	86.5%
Teeth loss	28.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	279	9.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	24.7%
Under 18	5.6%
18–64 years	28.0%
65 and over	48.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	46.7%
Public insurance	60.7%
Uninsured under 19	8.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,864	93.9%
Spanish	25	0.6%
Other Indo-European	12	0.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,078	99.1%
Born in same state	4,053	98.5%
Born in different state	2,971	72.2%
Foreign born	25	0.6%
Naturalized citizen	35	0.9%
Not a US citizen	35	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	496	12.1%
Italian	284	6.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	195	4.7%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	30.5%
Internet access	84.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Whitley City, KY?

Whitley City, KY has one ZIP code: 42653.

What is the main ZIP code for Whitley City, KY?

The primary ZIP code for Whitley City, KY is 42653. The city uses area code 606 for phone service.

What county is Whitley City, KY in?

Whitley City is located in Mccreary County, Kentucky.

How many ZIP codes are in Whitley City, KY?

Whitley City, KY has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Whitley City in McCreary County?

Downtown Whitley City is located in ZIP code 42653, which serves as the primary postal code for the city center and surrounding areas of McCreary County.

If I'm sending mail to a business in Whitley City, Kentucky, what ZIP code should I use?

All mail addressed to Whitley City should use ZIP code 42653, as this is the only ZIP code serving the city and its surrounding McCreary County region.