McCreary County | |
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Coordinates: 36°44′N 84°29′W / 36.74°N 84.48°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Kentucky |
Founded | March 12, 1912 |
Named for | James B. McCreary |
Seat | Whitley City |
Largest community | Pine Knot |
Area | |
• Total | 431 sq mi (1,120 km2) |
• Land | 427 sq mi (1,110 km2) |
• Water | 4.1 sq mi (11 km2) 1.0% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,888 |
• Estimate (2023) | 17,050 |
• Density | 39/sq mi (15/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 5th |
Website | www |
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.