McCreary county was formed in 1912. It is located in the Eastern Coal Field region of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 723 to 2165 feet above sea level. In 2000 the county population was 17,080 in a land area of 427.70 square miles, an average of 39.9 people per square mile. The county seat is Whitley City. McCreary county is entirely within the Daniel Boone National Forest and includes the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. It is the last county formed in the state.