Cave City ZIP Codes — Barren County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Cave City, Kentucky and it is 42127. Area code: 270/364.
1
ZIP codes
89.74
sq mi land
0.85
sq mi water
270/364
area code
Cave City, KY ZIP code map

About Cave City, KY

Cave City is a quaint city located in Barren County, Kentucky, known for its rich history and natural attractions. With a single ZIP code of 42127, it embodies the charm of small-town America while offering access to a variety of local amenities and recreational activities. The city serves as a gateway to many of Kentucky's famous caves, drawing visitors year-round.

Location & geography

Cave City is situated in south-central Kentucky, roughly 14 miles from the city of Bowling Green, and about 16 miles from Glasgow. The city encompasses a total land area of 89.74 square miles and features a water area of 0.85 square miles. The terrain around Cave City is characterized by rolling hills and natural formations that contribute to its picturesque landscape.

Community & economy

The community of Cave City is known for its friendly atmosphere and strong local ties. Predominantly supported by tourism, agriculture, and small businesses, daily life here is influenced by a focus on family and community values. Residents and visitors alike enjoy exploring the area's natural beauty, including local parks and attractions.

Transportation

Key highways accessible from Cave City include Interstate 65, which provides convenient travel to neighboring cities and regions. The closest named airport is the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, located approximately 25 miles away. Local transit options are limited, making private transportation the most common means of getting around.

History

Cave City was founded in the early 19th century and has built its economy around the surrounding caves and natural wonders, making it a key spot for early tourism in Kentucky. The construction of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in the late 1800s contributed to its growth and the development of key local industries. Notable events include the ongoing preservation efforts of Mammoth Cave, which continues to attract visitors to the area.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Cave City is that it is home to a variety of cave systems, including the famous Mammoth Cave, recognized as the longest cave system in the world. Additionally, the city's location makes it a central hub for those exploring the beauty of south-central Kentucky.

ZIP codes for Cave City, KY (1)
ZIP code City County Map
42127 Cave City Barren View map

Demographics & statistics

6,915
Population
43.4
Median age
$41,145
Median household income
$22,628
Per capita income
$154,200
Median home value
$673
Median monthly rent
51.8%
Home ownership
28.3%
Poverty rate
8.3%
Unemployment
1,775
Housing units
8.1%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
187
Under 5
185
177
5–9
175
198
10–14
197
244
15–19
242
165
20–24
164
405
25–34
403
437
35–44
434
635
45–54
631
334
55–59
333
175
60–64
173
295
65–74
293
149
75–84
149
68
85+
67
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 181,45321.0%
18 and over5,46279.0%
65 and over1,02114.8%
Median age43.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.2%
Black or African American 3.9%
Two or more races 2.6%
Hispanic or Latino 1.5%
Other race 1.1%
Asian 0.8%
GroupCount%
White6,32890.2%
Black or African American2713.9%
Two or more races1862.6%
Hispanic or Latino1041.5%
Other race761.1%
Asian540.8%

Household income

Under $10k 7.7%
$10k–$15k 11.7%
$15k–$25k 12.7%
$25k–$35k 9.9%
$35k–$50k 20.5%
$50k–$75k 15.8%
$75k–$100k 9.3%
$100k–$150k 7.9%
$150k–$200k 3.1%
$200k+ 1.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k7.7%
$10k–$15k11.7%
$15k–$25k12.7%
$25k–$35k9.9%
$35k–$50k20.5%
$50k–$75k15.8%
$75k–$100k9.3%
$100k–$150k7.9%
$150k–$200k3.1%
$200k+1.4%
Median income$41,145

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.1%
$50k–$100k 18.6%
$100k–$150k 16.5%
$150k–$200k 19.9%
$200k–$300k 24.3%
$300k–$500k 5.6%
$500k–$1M 2.1%
$1M+ 0.9%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$154,200
Median rent / month$673
Owner occupied51.8%
Renter occupied48.2%
Vacant8.4%
Single-family detached61.3%
Large apartment buildings0.6%
Mobile homes16.3%
Median rooms5.0
Avg household size (owned)2.54

Year built

Era%
2020 or later1.7%
2010–20197.0%
2000–200917.1%
1990–199915.0%
1980–198915.4%
1970–197914.3%
1960–19698.9%
1950–19597.7%
1940–19493.5%
1939 or earlier9.3%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)2.7%
1 bedroom7.5%
2 bedrooms38.1%
3 bedrooms42.2%
4 bedrooms7.6%
5+ bedrooms1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle12.7%
1 vehicle30.1%
2 vehicles25.4%
3 or more31.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas24.2%
Electricity62.7%
Propane / LP gas11.2%
Wood1.0%
No fuel used0.9%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family1,27243.7%
Cohabiting couple2498.5%
Male householder, no spouse63621.8%
Female householder, no spouse75726.0%
Households with children under 1881728.0%
Households with seniors (65+)90331.0%
Average household size2.37

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married27.4%14.7%
Married47.1%47.3%
Separated2.0%5.2%
Widowed6.7%16.8%
Divorced16.8%16.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.2%
Some HS, no diploma 12.2%
HS graduate 48.9%
Some college, no degree 17.0%
Associate's degree 7.5%
Bachelor's degree 5.9%
Graduate / professional 2.2%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher81.6%
Bachelor's or higher8.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1098.4%
Kindergarten796.1%
Elementary school60146.6%
High school36928.6%
College / grad school13210.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 24.0%
Education & healthcare 17.3%
Retail trade 12.8%
Arts, food & hospitality 11.8%
Other services 8.6%
Construction 8.3%
Transportation & utilities 4.8%
Public administration 4.1%
Professional & management 3.2%
Agriculture & mining 2.9%
Finance & real estate 1.3%
Information 0.6%
Wholesale trade 0.3%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts18.4%
Service26.7%
Sales & office18.9%
Natural resources & construction12.7%
Production & transportation23.3%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector74.3%
Government11.9%
Self-employed11.4%
Unpaid family workers2.4%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone80.0%
Carpool7.5%
Public transit0.0%
Walk3.2%
Other means2.7%
Avg commute (minutes)26.4

Poverty

All people 28.3%
Under 18 years 41.4%
18 and over 25.1%
Married-couple families 16.6%
Female-led households 56.8%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security41.1%
Retirement income21.7%
Supplemental Security15.2%
Cash public assistance3.7%
Food stamps / SNAP18.2%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure43.8%
High cholesterol37.9%
Heart disease8.9%
Stroke4.3%
Asthma12.2%
Arthritis34.4%
Kidney disease3.7%
Pulmonary disease13.3%
Cancer6.8%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking14.2%
No physical activity35.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep37.7%
Fair or poor health25.5%
Poor mental health19.6%
Poor physical health17.0%
No health insurance12.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.6%
Visited dentist47.5%
Cholesterol screening88.7%
Teeth loss24.8%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans4117.5%
Disability%
Any disability27.5%
Under 186.4%
18–64 years29.3%
65 and over49.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance46.9%
Public insurance54.8%
Uninsured under 195.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only6,54394.6%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)6,83998.9%
Born in same state6,77998.0%
Born in different state5,18074.9%
Foreign born600.9%
Naturalized citizen761.1%
Not a US citizen2634.2%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Arab1,34219.4%
French1,10716%
Italian5497.9%
AncestryCount%
Dutch1261.8%
English130.2%
Polish70.1%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access42.1%
Internet access88.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Cave City, KY have?
Cave City, KY has one ZIP code: 42127. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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