Residential delivery area · Kentucky
ZIP Code 42101: Bowling Green, KY
ZIP code 42101 uses the postal name Bowling Green, Kentucky and lies mostly in Warren County (89% of its land), reaching into Edmonson County and Butler County (Census 2020 ZIP-county file). About 65,000 people live there (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024), the most populous of Bowling Green's 3 residential ZIP codes. Median household income is $48,217 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). By Census place, its land lies in Bowling Green (7%) and Plum Springs (under 1%); 92% is outside any Census place.
- ACS2020-24
- Census2020
- FHFA2025
- ZBP2023
- IRS2022
- Town
- Bowling Green · 3 residential ZIPs
- County
- Warren County (89%); Edmonson County (8%); Butler County (3%)
- Census places
- Bowling Green (7%); Plum Springs (under 1%)
- Metro area
- Bowling Green, KY
- House district
- KY-2 119th Congress
- State
- Kentucky
- Time zone
- Central
- Land area
- 281.0 sq mi · 233 people per sq mi
- PO Box ZIPs
- 42102 also use the name Bowling Green
Where is ZIP code 42101?
42101 centers on 37.058°, -86.463° and covers 281.0 square miles of land plus 3.3 of water. It borders 9 ZIP codes: 42103, 42274, 42275, 42104, 42159, 42210, 42261, 42170, 42171.
The map draws ZIP code areas only. For the streets inside 42101, 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 42101 compare with the rest of Bowling Green?
| Measure | 42101 | In Bowling Green | In Warren County | In KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People (ACS 2020-2024) | 65,421 | 1st of 3 | 1st of 9 | 2nd of 780 |
| Median household income | $48k | 3rd of 3 | 7th of 7 | 254th of 310 |
| Median home value | $207k | 3rd of 3 | 5th of 7 | 99th of 320 |
Its median household income is higher than in 12% of U.S. residential ZIP codes, and it is denser than 64% 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 42101?
The 2020 Census counted 64,444 people in 42101; the ACS, which samples households over 2020-2024, estimates 65,421. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population grew 15.8% (its boundary stayed at least 90% the same).
- People, ACS 2020-2024
- 65,421
- 2020 Census count
- 64,444+15.8% since 2010 (55,648)
- Households
- 24,361
- Median age
- 28.1
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 42101?
Of the 65,421 people the ACS estimates in 42101, 24.1% are under 18 and 9.9% are 65 or older. The largest group by race and Hispanic origin is White (not Hispanic) (65.7%), then Black (not Hispanic) (13.0%).
- Under 1824.1%
- 18 to 6466.0%
- 65 and older9.9%
- White, not Hispanic65.7%
- Black, not Hispanic13.0%
- Hispanic or Latino10.8%
- Other or two or more6.0%
- Asian, not Hispanic4.4%
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 42101 earn?
Median household income is $48,217 (ACS 2020-2024), the 7th highest of the 7 ranked ZIP codes in Warren County. It fell from $51,462 in 2015-2019 (in 2024 dollars), a change larger than the surveys' margins of error.
- Median household income
- $48,217
- Income per person
- $24,219
- Below the poverty line
- 25.2%
- Unemployed (of the labor force)
- 4.8%
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 19.3%
- Adjusted gross income per tax return, 2022
- $48,44925,060 returns; wages 79% 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 42101?
FHFA's house price index for 42101, built from repeat sales and appraisals of the same homes, rose 94% from 2015 to 2025 and rose 56% from 2020 to 2025, and moved +10.2% in 2025.
- Median home value (owners' estimate)
- $207,200
- Median gross rent
- $950
- Homes owned by their occupants
- 44.7%
- Housing units
- 26,751
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 42101?
1,396 business establishments had a location in this ZIP code in 2023, 92 more than in 2018; the most are in retail trade (ZIP Code Business Patterns).
- Retail trade231
- Health care and social assistance167
- Accommodation and food services151
- Other services (except public administration)132
- Professional, scientific, and technical services109
- Construction106
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 42101?
| ZIP | Town | People | Household income | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42103 | Bowling Green | 21,911 | $88k | 10.0 mi |
| 42274 | Rockfield | 2,157 | $81k | 10.6 mi |
| 42275 | Roundhill | 855 | $45k | 12.1 mi |
| 42104 | Bowling Green | 42,076 | $75k | 12.5 mi |
| 42159 | Oakland | 1,699 | $67k | 12.5 mi |
| 42210 | Brownsville | 4,231 | $48k | 13.8 mi |
| 42261 | Morgantown | 9,641 | $53k | 15.1 mi |
| 42170 | Woodburn | 1,938 | $96k | 15.1 mi |
| 42171 | Smiths Grove | 6,723 | $70k | 16.0 mi |
| 42252 | Jetson | 53 | – | 12.2 mi (near) |
Source: PlainZIP from the Census 2020 ZCTA boundaries (shared edges) and internal points; figures ACS 2020-2024.