Residential delivery area · Kentucky
ZIP Code 42501: Somerset, KY
ZIP code 42501 uses the postal name Somerset, Kentucky and lies entirely in Pulaski County (Census 2020 ZIP-county file). About 18,000 people live there (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024), the less populous of Somerset's 2 residential ZIP codes. Median household income is $48,965 (Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). By Census place, 4% of its land lies in Somerset, and under 1% in smaller places; 96% is outside any Census place.
- ACS2020-24
- Census2020
- FHFA2025
- ZBP2023
- IRS2022
- Town
- Somerset · 2 residential ZIPs
- County
- Pulaski County
- Census places
- Somerset
- Micro area
- Somerset, KY
- House district
- KY-5 119th Congress
- State
- Kentucky
- Time zone
- Eastern
- Land area
- 199.7 sq mi · 91 people per sq mi
- PO Box ZIPs
- 42502 also use the name Somerset
Where is ZIP code 42501?
42501 centers on 37.056°, -84.451° and covers 199.7 square miles of land plus 3.9 of water. It borders 7 ZIP codes: 42533, 42503, 42519, 42634, 40744, 40741, 40456.
The map draws ZIP code areas only. For the streets inside 42501, 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 42501 compare with the rest of Somerset?
| Measure | 42501 | In Somerset | In Pulaski County | In KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| People (ACS 2020-2024) | 18,214 | 2nd of 2 | 2nd of 11 | 87th of 780 |
| Median household income | $49k | 2nd of 2 | 8th of 9 | 250th of 310 |
| Median home value | $142k | 2nd of 2 | 5th of 7 | 215th of 320 |
Its median household income is higher than in 13% of U.S. residential ZIP codes, and it is denser than 52% 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 42501?
The 2020 Census counted 18,047 people in 42501; the ACS, which samples households over 2020-2024, estimates 18,214. Between the 2010 and 2020 censuses its population grew 2.6% (its boundary stayed at least 90% the same).
- People, ACS 2020-2024
- 18,214
- 2020 Census count
- 18,047+2.6% since 2010 (17,592)
- Households
- 7,079
- Median age
- 40.5
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 42501?
Of the 18,214 people the ACS estimates in 42501, 23.3% are under 18 and 16.5% are 65 or older. The largest group by race and Hispanic origin is White (not Hispanic) (89.1%).
- Under 1823.3%
- 18 to 6460.3%
- 65 and older16.5%
- White, not Hispanic89.1%
- Hispanic or Latino4.9%
- Other or two or more3.7%
- Black, not Hispanic2.1%
- Asian, not Hispanic0.2%
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 42501 earn?
Median household income is $48,965 (ACS 2020-2024), the 8th highest of the 9 ranked ZIP codes in Pulaski County. It rose from $38,529 in 2015-2019 (in 2024 dollars), a change larger than the surveys' margins of error.
- Median household income
- $48,965
- Income per person
- $26,563
- Below the poverty line
- 24.3%
- Unemployed (of the labor force)
- 4.1%
- Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree
- 17.6%
- Adjusted gross income per tax return, 2022
- $50,9586,860 returns; wages 69% 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 42501?
FHFA's house price index for 42501, built from repeat sales and appraisals of the same homes, rose 81% from 2015 to 2025 and rose 63% from 2020 to 2025, and moved +10.9% in 2025.
- Median home value (owners' estimate)
- $142,200
- Median gross rent
- $748
- Homes owned by their occupants
- 63.3%
- Housing units
- 8,281
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 42501?
700 business establishments had a location in this ZIP code in 2023, 11 more than in 2018; the most are in retail trade (ZIP Code Business Patterns).
- Retail trade164
- Health care and social assistance90
- Accommodation and food services78
- Finance and insurance69
- Professional, scientific, and technical services61
- Other services (except public administration)53
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 42501?
| ZIP | Town | People | Household income | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42533 | Ferguson | 897 | $41k | 7.9 mi |
| 42503 | Somerset | 25,321 | $55k | 8.0 mi |
| 42519 | Burnside | 2,756 | $42k | 8.4 mi |
| 42634 | Parkers Lake | 1,646 | $31k | 11.4 mi |
| 40744 | London | 20,137 | $64k | 18.9 mi |
| 40741 | London | 23,397 | $65k | 19.0 mi |
| 40456 | Mount Vernon | 8,370 | $47k | 21.8 mi |
| 42518 | Bronston | 3,031 | $54k | 14.7 mi (near) |
| 42553 | Science Hill | 5,649 | $53k | 16.0 mi (near) |
| 42567 | Eubank | 5,390 | $47k | 16.8 mi (near) |
| 40737 | Keavy | 1,782 | $47k | 17.0 mi (near) |
Source: PlainZIP from the Census 2020 ZCTA boundaries (shared edges) and internal points; figures ACS 2020-2024.