Residential delivery area · Kentucky
ZIP Code 42003: Paducah, KY
ZIP code 42003 uses the postal name Paducah, Kentucky and lies entirely in McCracken County (Census 2020 ZIP-county file). About 30,000 people live there (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024), the less populous of Paducah's 2 residential ZIP codes. Median household income is $55,791 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). By Census place, its land lies in Paducah (9%), Farley (9%), Hendron (8%) and Reidland (7%); 67% is outside any Census place.
- ACS2020-24
- Census2020
- FHFA2025
- ZBP2023
- IRS2022
- Town
- Paducah · 2 residential ZIPs
- County
- McCracken County
- Census places
- Paducah (9%); Farley (9%) census-designated place; Hendron (8%) census-designated place; Reidland (7%) census-designated place
- Metro area
- Paducah, KY-IL
- House district
- KY-1 119th Congress
- State
- Kentucky
- Time zone
- Central
- Land area
- 69.0 sq mi · 430 people per sq mi
- PO Box ZIPs
- 42002 also use the name Paducah
Where is ZIP code 42003?
42003 centers on 37.005°, -88.578° and covers 69.0 square miles of land plus 2.0 of water. It borders 5 ZIP codes: 42027, 42058, 42001, 42082, 42029.
The map draws ZIP code areas only. For the streets inside 42003, open its center on OpenStreetMap.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 ZCTA cartographic boundaries and the 2023 Gazetteer (2020 ZCTAs); ZIP-to-county shares, Census places and House districts (119th Congress) from the Census 2020 relationship files (shares of land); metro area from the OMB delineation (July 2023); town name and time zone from simplemaps US ZIP Codes (CC BY 4.0).
How does 42003 compare with the rest of Paducah?
| Measure | 42003 | In Paducah | In McCracken County | In KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People (ACS 2020-2024) | 29,672 | 2nd of 2 | 2nd of 7 | 38th of 780 |
| Median household income | $56k | 2nd of 2 | 4th of 4 | 208th of 310 |
| Median home value | $167k | 2nd of 2 | 5th of 5 | 171st of 320 |
Its median household income is higher than in 22% of U.S. residential ZIP codes, and it is denser than 71% of all U.S. residential ZIP codes. ZIP codes at the ACS caps ($250,000 or more for household income, $2,000,000 or more for home value) share the top rank.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B19013, B25077); ranks by PlainZIP over residential ZIP codes (ZCTAs).
How many people live in 42003?
The 2020 Census counted 28,592 people in 42003; the ACS, which samples households over 2020-2024, estimates 29,672. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population fell 3.7% (its boundary stayed at least 90% the same).
- People, ACS 2020-2024
- 29,672
- 2020 Census count
- 28,592−3.7% since 2010 (29,683)
- Households
- 11,711
- Median age
- 41.5
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01003, B01002, B11001); 2020 Census (DHC P1); 2010 Census (SF1 P1).
Who lives in 42003?
Of the 29,672 people the ACS estimates in 42003, 21.8% are under 18 and 21.6% are 65 or older. The largest group by race and Hispanic origin is White (not Hispanic) (82.1%).
- Under 1821.8%
- 18 to 6456.6%
- 65 and older21.6%
- White, not Hispanic82.1%
- Black, not Hispanic8.1%
- Other or two or more5.8%
- Hispanic or Latino3.2%
- Asian, not Hispanic0.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B01001 age by sex, B03002 Hispanic or Latino origin by race); shares of the estimated population, small ZIP codes carry wide margins.
What do households in 42003 earn?
Median household income is $55,791 (ACS 2020-2024), the 4th highest of the 4 ranked ZIP codes in McCracken County. It is not measurably different from 2015-2019 ($51,530 in 2024 dollars): the change is within the surveys' margins of error.
- Median household income
- $55,791
- Income per person
- $33,441
- Below the poverty line
- 17.3%
- Unemployed (of the labor force)
- 3.8%
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 24.1%
- Adjusted gross income per tax return, 2022
- $60,74112,170 returns; wages 66% of AGI (IRS)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 and 2015-2019 5-year estimates (B19013, B19301, B17001, B23025, B15003; 2015-2019 dollars converted with the BLS CPI-U, 1.22699); IRS Statistics of Income, ZIP code data, tax year 2022 (adjusted gross income per return, filed under the address on the return).
What are homes worth in 42003?
FHFA's house price index for 42003, built from repeat sales and appraisals of the same homes, rose 66% from 2015 to 2025 and rose 47% from 2020 to 2025, and moved +3.5% in 2025.
- Median home value (owners' estimate)
- $167,000
- Median gross rent
- $740
- Homes owned by their occupants
- 70.8%
- Housing units
- 14,132
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (B25077, B25064, B25003, B25001); FHFA House Price Index, annual five-digit ZIP, updated 2026-03-31.
What businesses are in 42003?
725 business establishments had a location in this ZIP code in 2023, 28 fewer than in 2018; the most are in retail trade (ZIP Code Business Patterns).
- Retail trade122
- Health care and social assistance117
- Other services (except public administration)91
- Accommodation and food services68
- Construction65
- Wholesale trade46
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023 and 2018 (establishments with paid employees, by the business's ZIP code).
Which ZIP codes are next to 42003?
| ZIP | Town | People | Household income | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42027 | Boaz | 1,875 | $58k | 6.7 mi |
| 42058 | Ledbetter | 2,224 | $67k | 7.2 mi |
| 42001 | Paducah | 30,856 | $71k | 7.5 mi |
| 42082 | Symsonia | 1,803 | $67k | 7.6 mi |
| 42029 | Calvert City | 5,552 | $64k | 10.7 mi |
| 62910 | Brookport, IL | 1,993 | $60k | 10.5 mi (near) |
| 42051 | Hickory | 2,114 | $76k | 10.7 mi (near) |
| 42069 | Melber | 1,214 | $49k | 11.5 mi (near) |
Source: PlainZIP from the Census 2020 ZCTA boundaries (shared edges) and internal points; figures ACS 2020-2024.