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Somerset city, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 28.7% is well above the state average

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

Somerset city Quick Facts

Population 12,108
Median Household Income $32,910
Median Home Value $140,900
Poverty Rate 28.7%
Unemployment Rate 8.7%
Median Age 39.1 years
Homeownership Rate 42.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 16.9%
High School Graduation Rate 81.1%
Diversity Index 25/100
Population 12,108 35th of 552
Median Income $32,910 bottom 20%
Poverty Rate 28.7% 131% higher national
Median Home Value $140,900 average

How Somerset city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

8.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.8% | National: 5.2%
51.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 42.9%
Renter 57.1%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

25out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 31 | National average: 60

Education

Somerset city Rankings in Kentucky

#35 Population of 552
#443 Median Income of 552
#289 Education of 552
#256 Home Value of 552

Cities Similar to Somerset city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Campbellsville city11,523$49,389$162,90026.8%24.1%
Middlesborough city9,258$34,349$88,70015.0%28.8%
Mayfield city9,905$41,458$114,40021.9%30.6%
Bardstown city13,673$49,781$190,80024.7%11.1%
Fort Campbell North CDP11,483$58,403N/A17.0%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.