Somerset city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Somerset city, Kentucky has a total population of 12,108, the 35th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $32,910, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Somerset city Quick Facts
How Somerset city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Somerset city Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Somerset city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbellsville city | 11,523 | $49,389 | $162,900 | 26.8% | 24.1% |
| Middlesborough city | 9,258 | $34,349 | $88,700 | 15.0% | 28.8% |
| Mayfield city | 9,905 | $41,458 | $114,400 | 21.9% | 30.6% |
| Bardstown city | 13,673 | $49,781 | $190,800 | 24.7% | 11.1% |
| Fort Campbell North CDP | 11,483 | $58,403 | N/A | 17.0% | 10.4% |
Population Overview
Somerset city is a small city located in Kentucky. The total population is 12,108. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Somerset city is 39.1 years. This is about average than the state median of 39.1 years. 10.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Somerset city is $32,910. This is 47% lower than the state median of $62,417. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 58% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 78% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.7%. This is 81% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $140,900. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $192,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 42.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Somerset city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 7.8%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 38% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Somerset city, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Somerset city, Kentucky?
Somerset city, Kentucky has a population of 12,108 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Somerset city, KY?
The median household income in Somerset city is $32,910, which is 58% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Somerset city, KY?
The poverty rate in Somerset city is 28.7%. This means approximately 3,172 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Somerset city, Kentucky?
Somerset city's population is 86.1% White, 3.6% Black, 5.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Somerset city, KY?
The median home value in Somerset city is $140,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Somerset city, Kentucky?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Somerset city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.