08/11/2025
The Whittaker family lives in the small, rural community of Odd, West Virginia, and they’ve become widely known as one of the most isolated families in the United States. Their notoriety grew after photographer and filmmaker Mark Laita documented them in 2004 and again in later years, sharing footage that quickly went viral online.
The family’s story is both fascinating and heartbreaking. The Whittakers have lived in extreme poverty for generations, in a home with no electricity, no running water, and very little contact with the outside world. Geographic isolation, combined with generational inbreeding among close relatives, has led to visible physical differences, developmental challenges, and unique forms of communication—many members do not speak in full sentences, instead making sounds, grunts, or gestures to express themselves.
Despite these challenges, they are known in their small community, and neighbors sometimes check in on them. Laita’s work drew massive attention online, sparking debates about poverty, social services, and forgotten communities in America.
The Whittakers aren’t just a viral curiosity—they’re a reminder of the deep rural isolation that still exists in the U.S., where families can live completely apart from modern society for generations.
Search for Mark Laita documentary about this family. Very interesting.
