Somerset, KY

Kentucky

Somerset is a small city in Kentucky with a population of 12,108. Residents earn $32,910 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
12,108 Population 820/sq mi density
$32,910 Median Income $32,302 per capita
$140,900 Home Value $189,328 Zillow
$830 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
278 Violent Crime/100K 5,642 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$32,910 median income, 4.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$140,900 home value, $830/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
278 violent crimes/100K (27% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
16.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $32,910
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $140,900
50% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 278/100K
27% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.9%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $830
29% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.5%
25% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 26.5%
114% higher than US avg

How Somerset Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population12,108
Median Age39.1 yrs
Density820/mi²
Male / Female51% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

C
Median Income$32,910
Per Capita$32,302
Unemployment4.5%
Poverty26.5%
County GDP$3,033M
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$140,900
Rent$830
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$189,328

Crime

F
Violent278/100K
Property5,642/100K
Murder8.7/100K
Assault122/100K
Burglary609/100K

Health

ObesityN/A
UninsuredN/A

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain53.3 in/yr
Elevation922 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.9%
High School+81.1%
School Score5.50

Community

2024 VoteR 82% / D 17%
Commute24 min
EV Stations3
Libraries6

Is Somerset a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Somerset receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Somerset has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Somerset is $32,910, 56% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 26.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Somerset is $140,900, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $830 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Somerset is below the national average at 278 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,642 per 100,000, 188% above the national average.

Education

16.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Somerset enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.3 inches, including 5.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Somerset has a population of 12,108 with a density of 820 people per square mile. The median age is 39.1 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.9%), with 3.6% Black.

Population

12,108
Total Population
820
People / sq mi
39.1yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
14.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.5%
Female 49.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Somerset vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.7%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.3%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Somerset vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Somerset is $32,910, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 26.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Somerset vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,910
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,302
Avg Weekly Wage$924
IRS Avg AGI$59,855

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.5%
25% above US avg
Poverty Rate26.5%
114% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,166
County GDP$3,033M

Business (County)

Restaurants106
Healthcare268
Retail300
Manufacturing68

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,816
20% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Somerset is $140,900, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $830 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $189,328.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$140,900
50% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$189,328
Median List Price$424,750

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$424,750
$/Sq Ft$125
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops21.4%
Inventory56

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$830
29% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,088

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$719
1 Bedroom$794
2 Bedrooms$984
3 Bedrooms$1,277
4 Bedrooms$1,442

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied42.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,816
20% below US avg
Effective Rate2.00%

Health Metrics: Somerset vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.0%
Premature Death12,731/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access53.7%
Healthcare Facilities268
Somerset has a violent crime rate of 278 per 100,000 residents, 27% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,642 per 100,000 (188% above US avg). The murder rate is 8.7 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Somerset vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent278.2/100K
27% below US avg
Murder8.7/100K
38% above US avg
Rape43.5/100K
Robbery104.3/100K
Assault121.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,642.0/100K
188% above US avg
Burglary608.5/100K
Theft4,824.8/100K
Vehicle Theft208.6/100K
Arson26.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Somerset has an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 53.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average58.3°F
8% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall53.3 inches
40% above US avg
Snowfall5.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation922 ft (281 m)
Area14.8 sq mi (38.2 km²)
Population Density820/sq mi
Coordinates37.0865°N, 84.6054°W
County FIPS21199
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 16.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 65.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 82.1%
D 16.9%

Winner: Republican by 65.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.9%
50% below US avg
High School+81.1%
School Test Score5.50
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density820/sq mi
Total Area14.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities268
Restaurants106
Retail Stores300

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

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