Horse Cave ZIP Code List — Hart County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Horse Cave, Kentucky and it is 42749. Area code: 270/364.

ZIP codes

91.77

sq mi land

1.02

sq mi water

270/364

area code

Horse Cave, KY ZIP code map

About Horse Cave, KY

Horse Cave, Kentucky, is a charming small town located in the heart of Hart County. Known for its unique name, the city is famous for the natural limestone caves that attract visitors from all over. This tight-knit community offers a blend of rural charm and warm hospitality, making it a delightful place to live and visit.

Location & geography

Geographically, Horse Cave is situated in south-central Kentucky, making it accessible to various nearby attractions. The city is approximately 25 miles from Bowling Green to the northwest and about 35 miles from Elizabethtown to the northeast. The total land area of Horse Cave is 91.77 square miles, complemented by a water area of 1.02 square miles, which contributes to its picturesque landscapes.

Community & economy

The community in Horse Cave is characterized by its strong sense of togetherness and local pride, often hosting events that feature traditional Kentucky culture. The economy relies heavily on agriculture and tourism, and many residents are involved in local businesses that support these industries. Daily life in Horse Cave is typically laid-back, with opportunities for outdoor activities and neighborhood gatherings.

Transportation

Horse Cave is conveniently located near several major highways, including Interstate 65, which provides easy access to larger cities and regional attractions. The nearest major airport is the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport, which is approximately 25 miles away. Local transit options may be limited, but the community is well-connected for driving and regional travel.

History

Horse Cave was founded in the 19th century and quickly became known for the nearby cave that shares its name. Historically, the cave and its surrounding areas contributed to the local economy through tourism and agriculture. Notable events in the town's history include the development of the cave system into a sought-after destination for visitors exploring natural wonders.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Horse Cave is that it is home to one of the largest cave systems in Kentucky, attracting spelunkers and nature enthusiasts alike. Additionally, the town's unique name is derived from the cave's history, which was said to be a place where horses could seek refuge from storms.

ZIP codes for Horse Cave, KY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
42749	Horse Cave	Hart	View map

Demographics & statistics

5,095

Population

44.4

Median age

$45,833

Median household income

$27,495

Per capita income

$105,100

Median home value

$649

Median monthly rent

69.5%

Home ownership

24.9%

Poverty rate

4.2%

Unemployment

1,878

Housing units

15.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

107

Under 5

125

103

5–9

121

118

10–14

138

137

15–19

162

127

20–24

149

350

25–34

411

321

35–44

377

258

45–54

304

164

55–59

193

269

60–64

316

217

65–74

256

106

75–84

124

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	879	17.3%
18 and over	4,216	82.7%
65 and over	845	16.6%
Median age	44.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 77.5%

Black or African American 12.1%

Two or more races 5.5%

Hispanic or Latino 3.7%

Other race 0.8%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	4,100	77.5%
Black or African American	642	12.1%
Two or more races	291	5.5%
Hispanic or Latino	197	3.7%
Other race	43	0.8%
Asian	19	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 5.7%

$10k–$15k 7.7%

$15k–$25k 17.1%

$25k–$35k 7.7%

$35k–$50k 15.4%

$50k–$75k 13.7%

$75k–$100k 15.5%

$100k–$150k 9.3%

$150k–$200k 3.3%

$200k+ 4.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.7%
$10k–$15k	7.7%
$15k–$25k	17.1%
$25k–$35k	7.7%
$35k–$50k	15.4%
$50k–$75k	13.7%
$75k–$100k	15.5%
$100k–$150k	9.3%
$150k–$200k	3.3%
$200k+	4.5%
Median income	$45,833

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.0%

$50k–$100k 33.3%

$100k–$150k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 10.0%

$200k–$300k 16.6%

$300k–$500k 8.1%

$500k–$1M 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$105,100
Median rent / month	$649
Owner occupied	69.5%
Renter occupied	30.5%
Vacant	18.7%
Single-family detached	72.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.7%
Mobile homes	12.4%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.32

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.6%
2000–2009	10.5%
1990–1999	9.7%
1980–1989	11.4%
1970–1979	17.3%
1960–1969	22.3%
1950–1959	7.0%
1940–1949	1.6%
1939 or earlier	17.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.4%
1 bedroom	6.4%
2 bedrooms	27.8%
3 bedrooms	55.2%
4 bedrooms	5.7%
5+ bedrooms	3.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.3%
1 vehicle	32.2%
2 vehicles	35.7%
3 or more	24.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	40.2%
Electricity	47.0%
Propane / LP gas	9.5%
Wood	3.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	789	38.9%
Cohabiting couple	340	16.7%
Male householder, no spouse	401	19.8%
Female householder, no spouse	500	24.6%
Households with children under 18	545	26.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	593	29.2%
Average household size	2.46

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.7%	27.0%
Married	47.1%	36.3%
Separated	1.7%	3.2%
Widowed	1.9%	9.1%
Divorced	12.7%	24.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.9%

Some HS, no diploma 10.5%

HS graduate 45.3%

Some college, no degree 15.2%

Associate's degree 7.6%

Bachelor's degree 8.8%

Graduate / professional 6.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.6%
Bachelor's or higher	15.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	2.4%
Kindergarten	55	7.1%
Elementary school	387	49.7%
High school	201	25.8%
College / grad school	117	15.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 22.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 20.7%

Education & healthcare 18.7%

Professional & management 9.0%

Finance & real estate 6.7%

Transportation & utilities 5.6%

Retail trade 4.5%

Public administration 3.9%

Other services 3.1%

Agriculture & mining 1.8%

Construction 1.7%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.7%
Service	22.1%
Sales & office	15.0%
Natural resources & construction	6.7%
Production & transportation	19.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.1%
Government	11.4%
Self-employed	5.3%
Unpaid family workers	2.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	89.8%
Carpool	4.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.6%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.5

Poverty

All people 24.9%

Under 18 years 45.0%

18 and over 20.9%

Married-couple families 6.2%

Female-led households 34.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.8%
Retirement income	20.3%
Supplemental Security	10.3%
Cash public assistance	1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	23.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	47.6%
High cholesterol	38.5%
Heart disease	9.7%
Stroke	4.8%
Asthma	12.4%
Arthritis	35.9%
Kidney disease	4.1%
Pulmonary disease	14.0%
Cancer	7.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.4%
No physical activity	37.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	40.6%
Fair or poor health	27.3%
Poor mental health	19.5%
Poor physical health	17.8%
No health insurance	13.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.9%
Visited dentist	45.9%
Cholesterol screening	88.9%
Teeth loss	25.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	212	5.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.8%
Under 18	2.4%
18–64 years	18.7%
65 and over	51.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	48.1%
Public insurance	48.2%
Uninsured under 19	11.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,863	95.4%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	5,037	98.9%
Born in same state	5,032	98.8%
Born in different state	3,787	74.3%
Foreign born	5	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	58	1.1%
Not a US citizen	35	60.3%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	857	16.8%
Arab	620	12.2%
Italian	333	6.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	27	0.5%
German	5	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.8%
Internet access	87.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Horse Cave, KY?

Horse Cave, KY has one ZIP code: 42749.

What is the main ZIP code for Horse Cave, KY?

The primary ZIP code for Horse Cave, KY is 42749. The city uses area code 270 or 364 for phone service.

What county is Horse Cave, KY in?

Horse Cave is located in Hart County, Kentucky.

How many ZIP codes are in Horse Cave, KY?

Horse Cave, KY has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing packages to businesses in downtown Horse Cave?

All mail addressed to downtown Horse Cave and the city's central business district uses ZIP code 42749, which is the sole ZIP code serving the Horse Cave area in Hart County.

What is the ZIP code for Horse Cave High School and other public institutions in the city?

Horse Cave High School and other public institutions throughout Horse Cave are located in ZIP code 42749, the only ZIP code designated for this Hart County city.