Water Valley ZIP Codes — Graves County, KY

There is one unique ZIP code in Water Valley, Kentucky and it is 42085. Area code: 270/364.

ZIP codes

28.59

sq mi land

0.12

sq mi water

270/364

area code

Water Valley, KY ZIP code map

About Water Valley, KY

Water Valley is a charming city located in Graves County, Kentucky. Known for its tight-knit community, it offers a peaceful suburban lifestyle infused with southern hospitality. The city is characterized by its scenic landscapes and a rich agricultural backdrop, making it a pleasant place to live and visit.

Location & geography

Geographically, Water Valley is situated in the western part of Kentucky, surrounded by lush farm fields and rolling hills. It is approximately 15 miles northwest of Mayfield, 10 miles southeast of Benton, and about 25 miles northeast of Paris, Tennessee. The city encompasses a total land area of 28.59 square miles, with a small water area of 0.12 square miles, offering residents both land and aquatic environments.

Community & economy

The community in Water Valley is known for its friendly residents who take pride in their local heritage. Agriculture serves as a significant industry in the area, with farming activities being a central part of daily life. Residents enjoy a quiet, rural lifestyle marked by community events and a strong sense of belonging.

Transportation

Transportation in Water Valley is facilitated by several key highways, including U.S. Route 45, which connects to neighboring towns and cities. The nearest major airport is Barkley Regional Airport, located about 30 miles to the northwest in Paducah. While public transit options are limited, the city's roads provide easy access for personal vehicles.

History

Water Valley was founded during the early settlements in the region, providing a convenient stop along the transportation routes that developed in western Kentucky. Historically, agriculture has been a cornerstone of the local economy, with farming and livestock raising dominating the area. Over the years, Water Valley has celebrated its community culture through various events that highlight its rich heritage.

Did you know?

One little-known fact about Water Valley is its picturesque rural setting, which makes it a photogenic location for photography enthusiasts. Additionally, the city emphasizes community gatherings, hosting events that bring residents together to celebrate local traditions.

ZIP codes for Water Valley, KY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
42085	Water Valley	Graves	View map

Demographics & statistics

658

Population

47.7

Median age

$56,182

Median household income

$23,829

Per capita income

$99,700

Median home value

Median monthly rent

96.1%

Home ownership

21.3%

Poverty rate

4.7%

Unemployment

277

Housing units

6.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	40	6.1%
18 and over	618	93.9%
65 and over	147	22.3%
Median age	47.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 75.9%

Two or more races 13.6%

Hispanic or Latino 9.5%

Asian 1%

Group	Count	%
White	552	75.9%
Two or more races	99	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	69	9.5%
Asian	7	1%

Household income

$10k–$15k 4.7%

$15k–$25k 15.1%

$25k–$35k 8.1%

$35k–$50k 3.9%

$50k–$75k 41.9%

$75k–$100k 18.2%

$100k–$150k 5.8%

$150k–$200k 2.3%

Range	% of households
$10k–$15k	4.7%
$15k–$25k	15.1%
$25k–$35k	8.1%
$35k–$50k	3.9%
$50k–$75k	41.9%
$75k–$100k	18.2%
$100k–$150k	5.8%
$150k–$200k	2.3%
Median income	$56,182

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 24.6%

$50k–$100k 25.8%

$100k–$150k 34.3%

$150k–$200k 8.1%

$200k–$300k 2.4%

$500k–$1M 4.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$99,700
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	96.1%
Renter occupied	3.9%
Vacant	10.1%
Single-family detached	80.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	19.5%
Median rooms	6.3
Avg household size (owned)	2.61

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.8%
2000–2009	2.1%
1990–1999	5.2%
1980–1989	22.3%
1970–1979	13.9%
1960–1969	32.4%
1950–1959	0.0%
1940–1949	6.6%
1939 or earlier	13.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	29.6%
3 bedrooms	66.6%
4 bedrooms	0.0%
5+ bedrooms	3.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.7%
1 vehicle	22.9%
2 vehicles	32.9%
3 or more	39.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	29.5%
Electricity	38.0%
Propane / LP gas	32.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	160	62.0%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	72	27.9%
Female householder, no spouse	26	10.1%
Households with children under 18	54	20.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	103	39.9%
Average household size	2.55

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	34.3%	30.4%
Married	41.7%	59.3%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	7.9%
Divorced	24.0%	2.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.2%

Some HS, no diploma 18.0%

HS graduate 54.2%

Some college, no degree 10.2%

Associate's degree 8.4%

Bachelor's degree 4.2%

Graduate / professional 2.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	79.8%
Bachelor's or higher	6.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	0	0.0%
High school	121	75.6%
College / grad school	39	24.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Transportation & utilities 33.7%

Manufacturing 32.2%

Professional & management 15.1%

Other services 11.7%

Education & healthcare 7.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	5.4%
Service	15.1%
Sales & office	2.9%
Natural resources & construction	11.7%
Production & transportation	64.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	90.7%
Government	0.0%
Self-employed	9.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	92.7%
Carpool	7.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.8

Poverty

All people 21.3%

Under 18 years 35.0%

18 and over 20.4%

Married-couple families 18.1%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.3%
Retirement income	24.4%
Supplemental Security	15.5%
Cash public assistance	5.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	21.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	44.5%
High cholesterol	38.8%
Heart disease	8.5%
Stroke	4.0%
Asthma	11.4%
Arthritis	33.9%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	11.9%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.6%
No physical activity	33.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	39.3%
Fair or poor health	22.7%
Poor mental health	18.3%
Poor physical health	15.5%
No health insurance	11.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.4%
Visited dentist	49.3%
Cholesterol screening	89.7%
Teeth loss	21.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	99	16.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	26.6%
Under 18	35.0%
18–64 years	19.7%
65 and over	46.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	57.3%
Public insurance	52.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	632	96.0%
Spanish	10	1.6%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	10	1.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	641	97.4%
Born in same state	627	95.3%
Born in different state	385	58.5%
Foreign born	14	2.1%
Naturalized citizen	17	2.6%
Not a US citizen	17	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	78	11.9%
French	49	7.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	29	4.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.2%
Internet access	91.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Water Valley, KY have?

Water Valley, KY has one ZIP code: 42085. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.