McCreary County, Kentucky

McCreary County
McCreary County courthouse in Whitley City
McCreary County courthouse in Whitley City
Map of Kentucky highlighting McCreary 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°44′N 84°29′W / 36.74°N 84.48°W / 36.74; -84.48
Country United States
State Kentucky
FoundedMarch 12, 1912
Named forJames B. McCreary
SeatWhitley City
Largest communityPine Knot
Area
 • Total431 sq mi (1,120 km2)
 • Land427 sq mi (1,110 km2)
 • Water4.1 sq mi (11 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,888
 • Estimate 
(2023)
17,050 Increase
 • Density39/sq mi (15/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.mccrearycounty.com

McCreary County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,888.[1] Its county seat is Whitley City.[2] The county is named for James B. McCreary, a Confederate war soldier and two-time Governor of Kentucky (1875–1879, 1911–1915). During his second term as governor, McCreary County was created by the Legislature and was named in his honor.

  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.