Letcher County, Kentucky

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.Letcher County is a dry county, with the only exceptions being the Highland Winery, the city of Whitesburg, and the city of Jenkins.The killing of filmmaker Hugh O'Connor by a local landowner in 1967 brought Letcher County to national attention.GeographyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (0.3%) is water. Letcher County's natural areas include Bad Branch Falls and the Lilley Cornett Woods.Adjacent countiesKnott County (northwest)Pike County (northeast)Wise County, Virginia (southeast)Harlan County (south)Perry County (southwest)National protected area Jefferson National Forest (part)