| City: | Bowling Green, Kentucky |
| Counties: | Warren County [Primary] Simpson County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:43:53 PM |
| Population: | 37,309 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 270 / 364 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 36.8806, -86.4596 |
| Land Area: | 57.99 sq mi |
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ZIP Code 42104 has 37,309 residents and 14,855 households (average 2.49 persons per household). The median age is 36.5 years, slightly younger than the state (39.4) and slightly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.3% male and 51.7% female, which is about the same as the state male share (49.2%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (75.7%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Asian (8.0%, higher than the state average of 1.7%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 4.7%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 37,309Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 42,076Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 41,446Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 643.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $75,164Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 14,855Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $306,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.49Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.88Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 29,998 | 30,763 | 30,185 | 30,713 | 30,484 | 31,156 | 32,237 | 33,415 | 34,955 | 36,969 | 37,912 | 40,285 | 41,273 | 42,076 |
| Decennial Census | 29,610 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 37,309 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 36.5
Male Median Age: 35.3
Female Median Age: 37.6
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,206 | 1,287 | 1,254 | 1,240 | 1,475 | 1,268 | 1,223 | 1,244 | 1,233 | 1,164 | 990 | 1,130 | 898 | 757 | 718 | 462 | 247 | 218 |
| Female | 1,154 | 1,234 | 1,261 | 1,175 | 1,666 | 1,197 | 1,280 | 1,344 | 1,212 | 1,242 | 1,063 | 1,088 | 1,085 | 997 | 817 | 598 | 399 | 483 |
| Total | 2,360 | 2,521 | 2,515 | 2,415 | 3,141 | 2,465 | 2,503 | 2,588 | 2,445 | 2,406 | 2,053 | 2,218 | 1,983 | 1,754 | 1,535 | 1,060 | 646 | 701 |
| White: | 28,245 | 76.65% |
| Black: | 2,561 | 6.95% |
| Hispanic:* | 1,767 | 4.80% |
| Asian: | 2,986 | 8.10% |
| American Indian: | 102 | 0.28% |
| Hawaiian: | 311 | 0.84% |
| Other: | 878 | 2.38% |
| Total: | 36,850 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 18,014 | 48.28% | 35.3 years |
| Females: | 19,295 | 51.72% | 37.6 years |
| Total: | 37,309 | 100% | 36.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 35,819 | 85.13% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 691 | 1.64% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 2,926 | 6.95% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 2,640 | 13.23% |
| Total Population: | 42,076 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 36,510 | 86.77% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 5,566 | 13.23% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $75,164, which is lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $23,357 (45.1%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $17,045. Family households earn a median of $91,250 versus $43,533 for nonfamily households (a difference of $47,717). By gender, male median income is $57,922 and female is $51,509, which is lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $6,413 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 66.9%, which is higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 5.5%, which is edges higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (43.2%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $51,807 | $53,861 | $50,544 | $52,828 | $51,316 | $51,602 | $55,210 | $58,323 | $58,119 | $60,695 | $66,213 | $73,458 | $73,975 | $75,164 |
| Median Family Income | $71,013 | $75,030 | $74,785 | $73,935 | $70,917 | $72,201 | $74,054 | $78,729 | $79,632 | $78,851 | $82,470 | $93,535 | $90,685 | $91,250 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $28,699 | $28,278 | $28,162 | $29,286 | $27,793 | $27,428 | $31,164 | $31,743 | $33,071 | $38,538 | $38,841 | $46,056 | $41,103 | $43,533 |
| Median Male Income | $48,109 | $47,019 | $48,984 | $50,814 | $50,573 | $51,100 | $52,280 | $54,744 | $55,841 | $55,221 | $57,286 | $62,979 | $56,948 | $57,922 |
| Median Female Income | $31,808 | $36,004 | $36,879 | $38,687 | $41,813 | $41,181 | $40,694 | $42,506 | $41,157 | $40,271 | $40,812 | $46,379 | $46,787 | $51,509 |
| Employed: | 20,769 | 63.07% |
| Unemployed: | 1,221 | 3.71% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 10,939 | 33.22% |
| Total: | 32,929 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 8,980 | 43.24% |
| Service: | 2,942 | 14.17% |
| Sales and Office: | 4,056 | 19.53% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,105 | 5.32% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 3,686 | 17.75% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 20,769 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $306,400, which is falls short of the national median ($332,700), is up $139,600 (83.69%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $113,200. The median gross rent is $1,029, which is much lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $372 (56.62%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $210. Of occupied housing, owners make up 61.71% (61.43% with a mortgage, 38.57% free-and-clear) and renters 38.29% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 4.47%, which is markedly below the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $166,800 | $165,300 | $165,600 | $167,900 | $167,200 | $167,700 | $172,400 | $185,800 | $193,200 | $208,500 | $224,400 | $264,500 | $282,600 | $306,400 |
| Less than $500: | 463 | 7.09% |
| $500 to $999: | 2,432 | 37.27% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 2,429 | 37.22% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 512 | 7.85% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 229 | 3.51% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 18 | 0.28% |
| $3,000 or more: | 128 | 1.96% |
| No Rent: | 315 | 4.83% |
| Total: | 6,526 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $657 | $661 | $680 | $717 | $721 | $736 | $762 | $793 | $819 | $864 | $876 | $964 | $980 | $1,029 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 6,462 | 37.91% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 4,057 | 23.80% |
| Renter Occupied: | 6,526 | 38.29% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 17,045 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 17,045 | 95.53% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 797 | 4.47% |
| Total Housing Units: | 17,842 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 12,291 | 68.89% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 5,159 | 28.91% |
| Other Units: | 392 | 2.20% |
| Total Housing Units: | 17,842 | 100% |
In 2024, 40.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 90.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 6.80%, which is modestly below the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 5.80%, which is falls below the national rate (8.80%), down 4.80 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.70 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (45.38%). College enrollment is 23.24%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 1,489 | 5.41% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,212 | 4.40% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 6,638 | 24.12% |
| Some college, no degree: | 4,639 | 16.85% |
| Associate's degree: | 2,330 | 8.47% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 6,651 | 24.16% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 4,566 | 16.59% |
| Total: | 27,525 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 24,824 | 90.19% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 11,217 | 40.75% |
| Private Insurance: | 28,530 | 73.34% |
| Public Insurance: | 14,962 | 38.46% |
| No Insurance: | 2,844 | 7.31% |
| Total: | 38,899 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 43,492 | 111.81% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 9.5% | 8.4% | 8.7% | 8.0% | 6.8% | 6.9% | 6.3% | 6.6% | 6.4% | 6.8% | 4.9% | 5.4% | 4.7% | 5.8% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 395 | 3.83% |
| Kindergarten: | 477 | 4.63% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 4,674 | 45.38% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 2,360 | 22.91% |
| College or graduate school: | 2,394 | 23.24% |
| Total: | 10,300 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 872 | 8.47% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 7,511 | 72.92% |
ZIP Code 42104 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 944 business establishments, employing about 15,315 people with an annual payroll of $559,534,000. USPS data shows 16,645 residential mailboxes and 1,136 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 16,645Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1,136Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 20,685Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 10,657Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 276Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 944Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $138,819,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $559,534,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 15,315Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 42104 is located in Warren County, Kentucky, within the Bowling Green, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 14540) and Kentucky's 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts. This Metro area has a population of 125,953 people, about 29.62% of whom live in ZIP Code 42104. It covers 57.99 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.329 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Bowling Green, KYSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 14540Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 125,953Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 57.99 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.329 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01,02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 12079.5, 7177.44 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 2108902Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Bowling Green city; KentuckySource: Census |
ZIP Code 42104 is part of 2 school districts, including: Bowling Green Independent School District (Grades PK thru 12) and Warren County School District (Grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th). There are 11 public schools and 1 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.