Pathfork ZIP Codes — Harlan County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Pathfork, Kentucky and it is 40863. Area code: 606.
1
ZIP codes
24.71
sq mi land
0.04
sq mi water
606
area code
Pathfork, KY ZIP code map

About Pathfork, KY

Pathfork, Kentucky, is a small community located within Harlan County. Known for its scenic beauty and rural charm, Pathfork offers residents a peaceful lifestyle amidst the Appalachian hills. The area is characterized by its close-knit community, where neighbors often know each other by name.

Location & geography

Pathfork is situated in the southeastern part of Kentucky, surrounded by the scenic landscapes typical of Appalachia. It is approximately 10 miles from the town of Harlan, the county seat, and about 15 miles from the city of Middlesboro. The community covers a total land area of 24.71 square miles, with a minimal water area of 0.04 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Pathfork is deeply rooted in its Appalachian heritage, with a strong sense of community and tradition. The local economy historically centered around coal mining, but today it features small businesses and services that cater to the daily needs of residents. Life in Pathfork often includes local events, family gatherings, and outdoor activities that embrace the area’s natural environment.

Transportation

Pathfork can be accessed primarily via Kentucky Route 38, which connects residents to neighboring towns and major highways in the region. The nearest airport is the Pine Mountain State Park Airport, located approximately 20 miles away, offering limited services. Public transportation options are limited, relying heavily on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Pathfork was established in an area known for its rich coal deposits, which played a significant role in the local economy during the 20th century. The community developed as a result of coal mining activities, attracting families and workers seeking opportunities in the industry. Over the years, Pathfork has seen changes in industry but has maintained its historic charm and community spirit.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Pathfork is its close proximity to the Daniel Boone National Forest, which offers residents and visitors stunning outdoor recreational opportunities. Additionally, the area is known for its beautiful mountain views and vast natural landscapes unique to southeastern Kentucky.

ZIP codes for Pathfork, KY (1)
ZIP code City County Map
40863 Pathfork Harlan View map

Demographics & statistics

476
Population
52.2
Median age
$37,801
Median household income
$18,167
Per capita income
$72,500
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
80.6%
Home ownership
39.3%
Poverty rate
11.5%
Unemployment
244
Housing units
4.9%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
15
10–14
12
1
15–19
0
40
25–34
31
8
35–44
7
92
45–54
73
27
55–59
21
22
60–64
18
24
65–74
19
37
75–84
29
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 18285.9%
18 and over44894.1%
65 and over10922.9%
Median age52.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.7%
Two or more races 2.3%
GroupCount%
White46597.7%
Two or more races112.3%

Household income

Under $10k 8.8%
$10k–$15k 15.4%
$15k–$25k 16.7%
$25k–$35k 6.2%
$35k–$50k 25.6%
$50k–$75k 14.1%
$75k–$100k 3.5%
$100k–$150k 1.3%
$200k+ 8.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k8.8%
$10k–$15k15.4%
$15k–$25k16.7%
$25k–$35k6.2%
$35k–$50k25.6%
$50k–$75k14.1%
$75k–$100k3.5%
$100k–$150k1.3%
$200k+8.4%
Median income$37,801

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 25.1%
$50k–$100k 64.5%
$100k–$150k 10.4%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$72,500
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied80.6%
Renter occupied19.4%
Vacant21.2%
Single-family detached79.9%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes20.1%
Median rooms5.6
Avg household size (owned)2.19

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–201918.8%
2000–20096.9%
1990–19994.5%
1980–19898.3%
1970–197915.3%
1960–19690.0%
1950–195920.1%
1940–194926.0%
1939 or earlier0.0%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms28.1%
3 bedrooms53.8%
4 bedrooms18.1%
5+ bedrooms0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle15.9%
1 vehicle23.3%
2 vehicles47.6%
3 or more13.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Electricity72.7%
Wood23.8%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family14363.0%
Cohabiting couple00.0%
Male householder, no spouse4218.5%
Female householder, no spouse4218.5%
Households with children under 182611.5%
Households with seniors (65+)7332.2%
Average household size2.10

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married45.8%7.7%
Married49.8%70.9%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed0.0%19.4%
Divorced4.3%2.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 25.4%
Some HS, no diploma 14.5%
HS graduate 16.7%
Some college, no degree 31.7%
Associate's degree 6.7%
Bachelor's degree 0.9%
Graduate / professional 4.0%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher60.0%
Bachelor's or higher4.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool00.0%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school2796.4%
High school13.6%
College / grad school00.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 39.1%
Agriculture & mining 35.5%
Education & healthcare 25.4%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts10.9%
Service12.3%
Sales & office0.0%
Natural resources & construction2.2%
Production & transportation74.6%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector87.0%
Government13.0%
Self-employed0.0%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone100.0%
Carpool0.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk0.0%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)0.0

Poverty

All people 39.3%
Under 18 years 96.4%
18 and over 35.7%
Married-couple families 9.1%
Female-led households 100.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security59.9%
Retirement income32.6%
Supplemental Security22.9%
Cash public assistance21.1%
Food stamps / SNAP24.2%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure51.7%
High cholesterol42.2%
Heart disease12.0%
Stroke6.3%
Asthma13.6%
Arthritis40.8%
Kidney disease5.0%
Pulmonary disease20.2%
Cancer7.3%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking13.1%
No physical activity45.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep41.0%
Fair or poor health36.6%
Poor mental health22.3%
Poor physical health23.4%
No health insurance15.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)77.0%
Visited dentist36.4%
Cholesterol screening86.4%
Teeth loss37.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans122.7%
Disability%
Any disability36.8%
Under 180.0%
18–64 years35.4%
65 and over50.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance51.5%
Public insurance67.2%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only476100.0%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)476100.0%
Born in same state476100.0%
Born in different state37077.7%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen00.0%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian20643.3%
Arab8618.1%
AncestryCount%
French8117%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access47.7%
Internet access71.4%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Pathfork, KY have?
Pathfork, KY has one ZIP code: 40863. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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