Jenkins ZIP Codes — Letcher County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Jenkins, Kentucky and it is 41537. Area code: 606.

ZIP codes

54.73

sq mi land

0.09

sq mi water

606

area code

Jenkins, KY ZIP code map

About Jenkins, KY

Jenkins, Kentucky is a small city located in Letcher County. With its rich coal mining history, Jenkins offers a glimpse into the Appalachian culture and lifestyle. This tight-knit community is characterized by its natural beauty and warm atmosphere, attracting visitors who appreciate rural charm.

Location & geography

Jenkins is situated in the eastern part of Kentucky, surrounded by picturesque mountains and lush greenery. It is approximately 14 miles southeast of Whitesburg, 25 miles north of Harlan, and about 39 miles southwest of Pikeville. The city's total area covers 54.73 square miles of land and has a small water area of just 0.09 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Jenkins is shaped by its friendly residents and its heritage in the coal industry, which has significantly influenced local culture. Daily life in Jenkins revolves around community events and gatherings, emphasizing strong family ties and neighborly support. The economy is primarily driven by coal mining, but there is also a focus on outdoor recreation and tourism in the surrounding natural landscapes.

Transportation

U.S. Route 23 runs through the area, providing essential connectivity for residents traveling to nearby towns. The nearest named airport is the Tri-State Airport in Huntington, West Virginia, which is approximately 65 miles away. This makes travel options accessible, though public transit services are limited in the region.

History

Jenkins was founded in the early 20th century, primarily as a coal mining town, aligning with the region's industrial growth. Throughout its history, it has experienced significant events related to the coal industry and has evolved with the changing economic landscape. The city also has connections to notable figures in Appalachian history and early coal mining practices.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Jenkins is that it was once home to the largest tipple in the world, which served the extensive coal operations in the area. Additionally, Jenkins is known for its annual events, which celebrate the local culture and coal mining heritage.

ZIP codes for Jenkins, KY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
41537	Jenkins	Letcher	View map

Demographics & statistics

3,580

Population

47.0

Median age

$30,337

Median household income

$19,938

Per capita income

$69,500

Median home value

$536

Median monthly rent

71.0%

Home ownership

34.2%

Poverty rate

17.9%

Unemployment

1,501

Housing units

12.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

122

5–9

114

113

10–14

105

15–19

110

20–24

102

216

25–34

201

183

35–44

170

279

45–54

260

185

55–59

172

105

60–64

203

65–74

188

135

75–84

125

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	713	19.9%
18 and over	2,867	80.1%
65 and over	733	20.5%
Median age	47.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.1%

Two or more races 2%

Hispanic or Latino 1.4%

Other race 1.4%

Black or African American 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	3,451	95.1%
Two or more races	72	2%
Hispanic or Latino	50	1.4%
Other race	50	1.4%
Black or African American	6	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 8.6%

$10k–$15k 14.7%

$15k–$25k 18.4%

$25k–$35k 11.7%

$35k–$50k 18.1%

$50k–$75k 10.6%

$75k–$100k 5.8%

$100k–$150k 7.8%

$150k–$200k 4.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.6%
$10k–$15k	14.7%
$15k–$25k	18.4%
$25k–$35k	11.7%
$35k–$50k	18.1%
$50k–$75k	10.6%
$75k–$100k	5.8%
$100k–$150k	7.8%
$150k–$200k	4.3%
Median income	$30,337

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 36.6%

$50k–$100k 37.5%

$100k–$150k 12.5%

$150k–$200k 9.3%

$200k–$300k 1.3%

$300k–$500k 2.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$69,500
Median rent / month	$536
Owner occupied	71.0%
Renter occupied	29.0%
Vacant	20.1%
Single-family detached	71.0%
Large apartment buildings	1.0%
Mobile homes	21.7%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.15

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.9%
2000–2009	4.3%
1990–1999	14.5%
1980–1989	15.8%
1970–1979	18.9%
1960–1969	5.9%
1950–1959	4.6%
1940–1949	4.1%
1939 or earlier	25.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	8.3%
2 bedrooms	25.8%
3 bedrooms	45.4%
4 bedrooms	19.5%
5+ bedrooms	0.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.1%
1 vehicle	37.9%
2 vehicles	28.8%
3 or more	22.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	7.5%
Electricity	77.5%
Propane / LP gas	9.8%
Fuel oil	1.0%
Wood	2.7%
No fuel used	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	619	39.7%
Cohabiting couple	91	5.8%
Male householder, no spouse	406	26.0%
Female householder, no spouse	445	28.5%
Households with children under 18	349	22.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	557	35.7%
Average household size	2.29

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.5%	17.1%
Married	43.6%	45.3%
Separated	0.0%	1.4%
Widowed	10.8%	16.0%
Divorced	18.1%	20.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.9%

Some HS, no diploma 9.5%

HS graduate 45.7%

Some college, no degree 19.6%

Associate's degree 5.7%

Bachelor's degree 9.2%

Graduate / professional 3.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	83.6%
Bachelor's or higher	12.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	92	12.6%
Kindergarten	62	8.5%
Elementary school	338	46.2%
High school	170	23.3%
College / grad school	69	9.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 29.6%

Construction 12.8%

Retail trade 12.3%

Professional & management 11.8%

Public administration 7.9%

Other services 5.0%

Transportation & utilities 4.2%

Finance & real estate 4.0%

Manufacturing 3.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.1%

Wholesale trade 2.6%

Agriculture & mining 2.1%

Information 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.9%
Service	20.3%
Sales & office	27.3%
Natural resources & construction	8.4%
Production & transportation	11.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	60.7%
Government	28.5%
Self-employed	10.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	67.4%
Carpool	14.2%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	25.6

Poverty

All people 34.2%

Under 18 years 48.5%

18 and over 30.6%

Married-couple families 15.0%

Female-led households 62.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	49.8%
Retirement income	24.3%
Supplemental Security	15.9%
Cash public assistance	2.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	27.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	45.4%
High cholesterol	38.2%
Heart disease	9.6%
Stroke	4.6%
Asthma	12.6%
Arthritis	36.7%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	14.8%
Cancer	6.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.0%
No physical activity	38.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	39.8%
Fair or poor health	27.8%
Poor mental health	20.5%
Poor physical health	18.5%
No health insurance	12.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.9%
Visited dentist	45.2%
Cholesterol screening	88.0%
Teeth loss	26.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	132	4.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	31.1%
Under 18	4.6%
18–64 years	31.1%
65 and over	57.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	43.7%
Public insurance	68.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,425	95.7%
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)	3,573	99.8%
Born in same state	3,573	99.8%
Born in different state	2,787	77.8%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	7	0.2%
Not a US citizen	6	85.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	560	15.6%
Italian	528	14.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	248	6.9%
English	108	3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.6%
Internet access	88.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Jenkins, KY have?

Jenkins, KY has one ZIP code: 41537. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.