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CITY

Somerset

Kentucky · 12,695 residents (2025 est.) · 14.712 sq mi
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The short version

Somerset has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $34,704. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $144,000. The poverty rate of 27.2% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 46% less than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,216
+8%since 2000
from 11,352 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
830 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 772 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.8
−1%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,695 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
11K11K11K12K12K1990201020202024Somerset
202412K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$34,704
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,362 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,476
+88%since 2000
from $14,048 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
26.8%
+12.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
27.2%
+5.1 ptssince 2000
from 22.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.538
Unchangedsince 2010
from 0.537 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade12.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade5.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing1.1%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$144,000
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$775
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $334 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.9%
−5.3 ptssince 2000
from 54.1% in 2000
51.1% rent
Vacancy rate
10.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.2%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+49%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
37
RELATED:See current rent listings in Somerset on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(10,608)
Black3.7%(415)
Hispanic / Latino1%(112)
Asian0.7%(77)
Other0%
Diversity Score12.9%(1,466)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(10,488)
Black3.3%(403)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(722)
Asian0.2%(28)
Other4.7%(575)
Diversity Score32%(3,911)
Diversity Score
32
+148%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.9%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 13.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.5%
+21.4 ptssince 2000
from 63.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.6%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.7 min
+84%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.4%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 76.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
16.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.7%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.6%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.2%
−10.2 ptssince 2009
from 16.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2011
from 8.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.0%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 53.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.2%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.8%
−26.9 ptssince 2009
from 60.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
48.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
1.9%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.2%
−42.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.9%
−0.2 ptssince 2012
from 23.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.6%
−72.2 ptssince 2013
from 80.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.6%
+19.8 ptssince 2017
from 63.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.9%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 98.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.9%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Somerset

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Pop 10,514
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Pop 8,162
Places similar to Somerset
Head to head

Compare Somerset to nearby cities

SOMERSET VS
Berea
Income$59,495+71%
Home value$199,900+39%
Population16,662+31%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOMERSET VS
Danville
Income$52,646+52%
Home value$207,600+44%
Population17,736+40%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOMERSET VS
Campbellsville
Income$49,644+43%
Home value$164,600+14%
Population11,783−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SOMERSET VS
Richmond
Income$50,870+47%
Home value$214,900+49%
Population40,663+220%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Somerset, Kentucky?

Somerset, Kentucky has about 12,216 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Somerset, Kentucky?

The typical household in Somerset, Kentucky earns about $34,704 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Somerset, Kentucky expensive?

In Somerset, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $144,000, and the typical rent is about $775 a month.

How educated are people in Somerset, Kentucky?

About 19.9% of adults age 25 and over in Somerset, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Somerset, Kentucky?

About 27.2% of people in Somerset, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Somerset, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Somerset, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,483 residents, a change of about 14 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →