Van Lear ZIP Codes — Johnson County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Van Lear, Kentucky and it is 41265. Area code: 606.

ZIP codes

26.92

sq mi land

0.31

sq mi water

606

area code

Van Lear, KY ZIP code map

About Van Lear, KY

Van Lear, Kentucky, is a small unincorporated community located in Johnson County. Known for its rich history and connection to the coal industry, Van Lear has a unique charm that attracts visitors. The area is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, making it a picturesque spot in the heart of Kentucky.

Location & geography

Van Lear is situated in the eastern part of Kentucky within Johnson County, approximately 8 miles southwest of the city of Paintsville. The community encompasses a total land area of 26.92 square miles, with an additional 0.31 square miles of water, highlighting its diverse terrain. The region is characterized by its hilly landscape and proximity to the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River.

Community & economy

The character of Van Lear reflects a blend of rural charm and a close-knit community spirit. Historically, the local economy has been influenced by the coal and mining industries, which shape much of daily life and culture. Residents enjoy outdoor activities, and the area's natural surroundings provide ample opportunities for hiking and exploring the Appalachian region.

Transportation

Van Lear is serviced by Kentucky Route 402, which connects it to neighboring communities and larger highways in the region. The nearest major airport is the Tri-State Airport, located about 60 miles to the west in Huntington, West Virginia. Public transportation options are limited, so personal vehicles are the primary mode of travel for residents and visitors.

History

Van Lear was established as a coal mining community during the early 20th century, where it played a significant role in the region's coal production. The area was known for its rich deposits of coal, which attracted many settlers and contributed to the local economy. Notable events in its history include the rise and decline of the coal industry, which shaped the identity of Van Lear and surrounding areas.

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Van Lear is that it is the birthplace of the renowned country music singer Loretta Lynn. The community remains proud of its connection to the famous artist and has historical ties to the coal mining culture that influenced her music career.

ZIP codes for Van Lear, KY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
41265	Van Lear	Johnson	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,024

Population

42.7

Median age

$29,519

Median household income

$20,148

Per capita income

$163,200

Median home value

$721

Median monthly rent

81.0%

Home ownership

25.2%

Poverty rate

0.0%

Unemployment

581

Housing units

26.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	243	23.7%
18 and over	781	76.3%
65 and over	127	12.4%
Median age	42.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 84%

Hispanic or Latino 5.5%

Two or more races 5.5%

Black or African American 3.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%

Group	Count	%
White	911	84%
Hispanic or Latino	60	5.5%
Two or more races	60	5.5%
Black or African American	41	3.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	12	1.1%

Household income

Under $10k 16.1%

$10k–$15k 19.5%

$15k–$25k 4.8%

$25k–$35k 18.8%

$35k–$50k 5.7%

$50k–$75k 10.0%

$75k–$100k 7.2%

$100k–$150k 17.0%

$150k–$200k 1.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	16.1%
$10k–$15k	19.5%
$15k–$25k	4.8%
$25k–$35k	18.8%
$35k–$50k	5.7%
$50k–$75k	10.0%
$75k–$100k	7.2%
$100k–$150k	17.0%
$150k–$200k	1.1%
Median income	$29,519

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.6%

$50k–$100k 14.8%

$100k–$150k 20.1%

$150k–$200k 22.6%

$200k–$300k 26.0%

$300k–$500k 3.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$163,200
Median rent / month	$721
Owner occupied	81.0%
Renter occupied	19.0%
Vacant	33.5%
Single-family detached	81.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	17.0%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.43

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	22.1%
2000–2009	7.1%
1990–1999	13.4%
1980–1989	11.7%
1970–1979	22.0%
1960–1969	9.2%
1950–1959	2.3%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	12.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.9%
2 bedrooms	33.8%
3 bedrooms	56.1%
4 bedrooms	9.2%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.7%
1 vehicle	24.7%
2 vehicles	53.8%
3 or more	15.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	25.1%
Electricity	70.4%
Wood	4.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	229	51.8%
Cohabiting couple	12	2.7%
Male householder, no spouse	146	33.0%
Female householder, no spouse	55	12.4%
Households with children under 18	98	22.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	106	24.0%
Average household size	2.32

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	18.9%	16.8%
Married	51.5%	65.0%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	7.0%	6.4%
Divorced	22.7%	11.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.1%

Some HS, no diploma 5.3%

HS graduate 33.8%

Some college, no degree 20.5%

Associate's degree 12.8%

Bachelor's degree 12.5%

Graduate / professional 14.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.5%
Bachelor's or higher	26.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	51	20.6%
Kindergarten	25	10.1%
Elementary school	80	32.3%
High school	24	9.7%
College / grad school	68	27.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.7%

Retail trade 19.7%

Agriculture & mining 18.0%

Public administration 16.3%

Manufacturing 13.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.6%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.0%
Service	16.3%
Sales & office	25.2%
Natural resources & construction	10.7%
Production & transportation	22.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	53.6%
Government	35.0%
Self-employed	11.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.6%
Carpool	19.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.7%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.1

Poverty

All people 25.2%

Under 18 years 23.5%

18 and over 25.7%

Married-couple families 10.9%

Female-led households 78.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.4%
Retirement income	13.6%
Supplemental Security	4.3%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.5%
High cholesterol	39.1%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	11.3%
Arthritis	31.6%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	10.4%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.7%
No physical activity	30.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.8%
Fair or poor health	20.1%
Poor mental health	18.2%
Poor physical health	14.2%
No health insurance	9.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	76.0%
Visited dentist	55.6%
Cholesterol screening	90.1%
Teeth loss	18.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	65	8.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.0%
Under 18	4.1%
18–64 years	19.9%
65 and over	18.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	36.8%
Public insurance	57.6%
Uninsured under 19	2.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	942	92.0%
Spanish	54	5.7%
Other Indo-European	54	5.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	970	94.7%
Born in same state	970	94.7%
Born in different state	655	64.0%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	54	5.3%
Not a US citizen	54	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	316	30.9%
Italian	24	2.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	8	0.8%
English	6	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.2%
Internet access	92.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Van Lear, KY have?

Van Lear, KY has one ZIP code: 41265. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.