Somerset, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Somerset, Kentucky had a total population of 12,216, the 35th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $34,704, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.7% is notably above the national average.
Somerset Quick Facts
How Somerset Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,108 | 12,216 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $32,910 | $34,704 | +5.5% |
| Median home value | $140,900 | $144,000 | +2.2% |
How Somerset Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Somerset Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Pulaski County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | 849 | $40,500 | 34.1% | $153,100 |
| Burnside | 755 | $58,750 | 22.8% | $167,300 |
| Science Hill | 647 | $50,341 | 16.6% | $138,700 |
| Eubank | 412 | $45,250 | 18.0% | $126,300 |
Cities Similar to Somerset
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbellsville | 11,622 | $49,644 | $164,600 | 24.6% | 23.4% |
| Mayfield | 9,868 | $40,965 | $112,500 | 19.3% | 26.9% |
| Bardstown | 13,804 | $51,381 | $203,500 | 26.7% | 14.7% |
| Glasgow | 15,197 | $43,074 | $173,900 | 22.4% | 21.9% |
| Fort Campbell North | 11,356 | $58,933 | N/A | 16.9% | 11.7% |
Population Overview
Somerset is a small city located in Kentucky, within Pulaski County. The total population is 12,216. It ranks as the 35th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Somerset is 39.8 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. 11.3% 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 is $34,704. This is 46% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 57% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.2%. This is 69% 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 79% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $144,000. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 48.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Somerset has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (3.3%) is well below the state average of 7.5%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.6%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Somerset, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. 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. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Somerset, Kentucky?
Somerset, Kentucky has a population of 12,216 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Somerset, KY?
The median household income in Somerset is $34,704, which is 57% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Somerset, KY?
The poverty rate in Somerset is 27.2%. This means approximately 3,014 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Somerset, Kentucky?
Somerset's population is 85.9% White, 3.3% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Somerset, KY?
The median home value in Somerset is $144,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Somerset, Kentucky?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Somerset hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.