Middlesboro ZIP Codes — Bell County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Middlesboro, Kentucky and it is 40965. Area code: 606.
1
ZIP codes
86.29
sq mi land
0.52
sq mi water
606
area code
Middlesboro, KY ZIP code map

About Middlesboro, KY

Middlesboro, Kentucky, is a unique city nestled within the scenic vistas of Bell County. Founded in the late 19th century, it offers a rich blend of history and natural beauty, making it an intriguing destination in the southeastern part of the state. Known for its distinct geography, Middlesboro sits within a meteorite crater, providing a variety of outdoor recreational activities and stunning landscapes.

Location & geography

Middlesboro is located in the eastern section of Kentucky, bordered by the Appalachian Mountains, which adds to its picturesque scenery. Nearby cities include Pineville, located about 9 miles to the west, Harrogate approximately 12 miles to the south, and Cumberland Gap roughly 11 miles to the northeast. The city covers a land area of 86.29 square miles, complemented by a water area of 0.52 square miles, showcasing both lush terrain and distinct waterways.

Community & economy

The character of Middlesboro is a blend of small-town charm and vibrant community spirit, where residents are known for their hospitality. The local economy predominantly revolves around sectors such as education, health care, and retail, contributing to a stable and evolving job market. Daily life often embodies a sense of tradition with numerous festivals and community events that celebrate the city's rich cultural heritage.

Transportation

Middlesboro is accessible via U.S. Highway 25E, which connects the city to nearby towns and cities, facilitating easy travel in the region. The nearest airport is the Knox County Regional Airport, located approximately 20 miles away, offering limited commercial flights. Local public transport options may be limited, but the city's compact size makes it easy to navigate by car or on foot.

History

Founded in 1888 by a group of investors attracted to its unique geological features, Middlesboro quickly developed as a hub for the iron and coal industries. Throughout the 20th century, the city saw growth due to its strategic location and abundant natural resources, establishing it as an important center for commerce and industry in the region. Notable events in its history include its recovery efforts following the coal industry's decline, as the community adapted to new economic realities.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Middlesboro is that it was built within the remnants of a meteorite impact crater, which is a rare geological feature found in only a few locations globally. Additionally, the city was once known as a major producer of iron and coal, which played a significant role in its early economic development.

ZIP codes for Middlesboro, KY (1)
ZIP code City County Map
40965 Middlesboro Bell View map

Demographics & statistics

11,635
Population
41.5
Median age
$30,000
Median household income
$19,651
Per capita income
$82,700
Median home value
$611
Median monthly rent
57.7%
Home ownership
29.9%
Poverty rate
10.6%
Unemployment
3,887
Housing units
12.4%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
306
Under 5
317
412
5–9
426
365
10–14
378
292
15–19
302
352
20–24
364
747
25–34
771
644
35–44
665
623
45–54
643
514
55–59
530
326
60–64
336
586
65–74
606
349
75–84
361
207
85+
213
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 182,57122.1%
18 and over9,06477.9%
65 and over2,32220.0%
Median age41.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.5%
Two or more races 3.4%
Black or African American 2.8%
Hispanic or Latino 0.7%
Asian 0.2%
Other race 0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%
GroupCount%
White10,84892.5%
Two or more races3993.4%
Black or African American3252.8%
Hispanic or Latino870.7%
Asian280.2%
Other race200.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native150.1%

Household income

Under $10k 13.7%
$10k–$15k 11.3%
$15k–$25k 16.8%
$25k–$35k 12.5%
$35k–$50k 12.7%
$50k–$75k 17.2%
$75k–$100k 6.7%
$100k–$150k 6.9%
$150k–$200k 1.3%
$200k+ 1.0%
Range% of households
Under $10k13.7%
$10k–$15k11.3%
$15k–$25k16.8%
$25k–$35k12.5%
$35k–$50k12.7%
$50k–$75k17.2%
$75k–$100k6.7%
$100k–$150k6.9%
$150k–$200k1.3%
$200k+1.0%
Median income$30,000

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 18.8%
$50k–$100k 39.0%
$100k–$150k 11.5%
$150k–$200k 18.2%
$200k–$300k 7.7%
$300k–$500k 2.7%
$500k–$1M 1.2%
$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$82,700
Median rent / month$611
Owner occupied57.7%
Renter occupied42.3%
Vacant17.7%
Single-family detached62.0%
Large apartment buildings2.3%
Mobile homes17.7%
Median rooms5.2
Avg household size (owned)2.36

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.4%
2010–20193.2%
2000–200913.5%
1990–19999.2%
1980–198914.8%
1970–197916.5%
1960–196914.8%
1950–195915.1%
1940–19494.2%
1939 or earlier8.2%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)4.5%
1 bedroom6.2%
2 bedrooms39.1%
3 bedrooms39.5%
4 bedrooms7.6%
5+ bedrooms3.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle8.8%
1 vehicle47.9%
2 vehicles27.2%
3 or more16.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas16.1%
Electricity78.3%
Propane / LP gas1.1%
Fuel oil0.8%
Wood3.2%
No fuel used0.4%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family1,67434.1%
Cohabiting couple2104.3%
Male householder, no spouse1,23425.2%
Female householder, no spouse1,78836.4%
Households with children under 181,24425.4%
Households with seniors (65+)1,83837.5%
Average household size2.34

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married33.4%27.4%
Married41.0%37.7%
Separated0.6%4.7%
Widowed9.1%16.0%
Divorced16.0%14.2%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.7%
Some HS, no diploma 13.1%
HS graduate 35.7%
Some college, no degree 21.9%
Associate's degree 9.2%
Bachelor's degree 7.9%
Graduate / professional 4.5%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher79.2%
Bachelor's or higher12.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool1776.8%
Kindergarten26710.2%
Elementary school1,12943.3%
High school59422.8%
College / grad school44216.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 31.9%
Retail trade 14.0%
Manufacturing 10.7%
Arts, food & hospitality 9.8%
Professional & management 7.6%
Public administration 6.2%
Other services 3.9%
Transportation & utilities 3.7%
Finance & real estate 3.7%
Agriculture & mining 3.4%
Construction 2.8%
Wholesale trade 1.4%
Information 1.0%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts28.3%
Service22.6%
Sales & office24.8%
Natural resources & construction8.0%
Production & transportation16.4%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector73.3%
Government20.4%
Self-employed6.3%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone66.3%
Carpool24.7%
Public transit0.0%
Walk3.1%
Other means0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)18.5

Poverty

All people 29.9%
Under 18 years 34.8%
18 and over 28.6%
Married-couple families 13.0%
Female-led households 40.7%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security51.5%
Retirement income25.3%
Supplemental Security14.0%
Cash public assistance10.7%
Food stamps / SNAP25.3%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure48.4%
High cholesterol41.1%
Heart disease10.5%
Stroke5.5%
Asthma13.2%
Arthritis38.0%
Kidney disease4.5%
Pulmonary disease16.8%
Cancer7.2%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking13.2%
No physical activity42.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep41.2%
Fair or poor health31.4%
Poor mental health21.4%
Poor physical health20.4%
No health insurance14.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.7%
Visited dentist42.6%
Cholesterol screening87.2%
Teeth loss31.0%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans3994.4%
Disability%
Any disability27.1%
Under 1810.2%
18–64 years26.1%
65 and over49.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance39.2%
Public insurance70.4%
Uninsured under 194.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only11,01294.6%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)11,61199.8%
Born in same state11,60199.7%
Born in different state8,68974.7%
Foreign born100.1%
Naturalized citizen240.2%
Not a US citizen24100.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian1,1149.6%
Arab1,0519%
French9728.4%
AncestryCount%
English480.4%
Polish180.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access42.2%
Internet access81.2%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Middlesboro, KY have?
Middlesboro, KY has one ZIP code: 40965. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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