Moving to Somerset, Kentucky: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide
Considering moving to Somerset, Kentucky? This scenic lake city offers Lake Cumberland access, outdoor paradise, and affordable living. With approximately 12,000 residents in 2025 (micropolitan 65,000+), Somerset combines lake lifestyle with small-city character and South Central Kentucky’s recreation capital.
Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Somerset:
Somerset’s 2025 population is approximately 12,000 residents in this Pulaski County seat, with the micropolitan area exceeding 65,000. The median age is around 40 years, with working families, retirees, lake tourism workers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The population is approximately 94% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% Black or African American. Somerset features proximity to Lake Cumberland (10 miles south), historic downtown, Daniel Boone National Forest access, and serves as the gateway to Kentucky’s premier lake recreation. The city attracts retirees seeking lake lifestyle with affordability, tourism workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those wanting South Central Kentucky small-city living. Somerset appeals to those prioritizing lake access, outdoor recreation, retirement affordability, and natural beauty. The community values Lake Cumberland tourism economy, outdoor recreation, small-city character, and maintaining gateway status to lake paradise.
Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Somerset:
Somerset offers exceptional affordability. Median home values range from $140,000 to $200,000 in 2025, providing tremendous value with Lake Cumberland proximity and outdoor recreation access. The median household income is approximately $40,000. Rental properties average $700 to $1,000 monthly. Kentucky has no state income tax on Social Security; individual income tax is flat 4.0%. Property taxes are very low. Overall cost of living is very competitive, making Somerset highly attractive for retirees on fixed incomes, tourism workers, and those seeking Kentucky lake area affordability. The city provides exceptional value with lake access. Housing costs create accessibility while Lake Cumberland creates economic base.
Economy and Job Market:
Somerset’s economy includes tourism (Lake Cumberland drives seasonal economy), healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Major employers include Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Somerset Community College, retail serving lake tourists, and Jayco RV manufacturing. Tourism dominates the seasonal economy. Healthcare provides year-round stability. Typical industries include tourism/hospitality, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The economy fluctuates with lake tourism season. Wages reflect rural Kentucky levels. Career advancement is limited in the small city. The lake tourism creates opportunities though seasonal employment common.
Education:
Somerset Independent Schools and Pulaski County Public Schools serve area students with schools including Somerset High School and Southwestern High School. School quality is adequate. Somerset Community College provides higher education and vocational programs. The educational infrastructure serves the community with schools reflecting small-city character.
Recreation and Lifestyle:
Somerset offers gateway access to Lake Cumberland (10 miles south providing 1,200+ miles of shoreline, world-class houseboating, fishing, and water sports), Daniel Boone National Forest providing hiking and outdoor recreation, and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park (30 minutes with spectacular waterfall). The city features historic downtown with local businesses, Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, and Somerset-Pulaski County Parks. Residents enjoy exceptional outdoor recreation access, lake lifestyle, fishing, boating, and natural beauty. The lifestyle emphasizes lake recreation, outdoor activities, retirement leisure, affordable living, and small-city character. The four-season climate enables year-round activities with summer lake season creating peak tourism. The community values Lake Cumberland (tremendous pride in gateway status), outdoor recreation, tourism economy supporting lake living, and small-city character. Living in Somerset means accepting South Central Kentucky isolation, limited employment beyond tourism/healthcare, seasonal economy, small-city character, and being known primarily as Lake Cumberland gateway while enjoying exceptional affordability, world-class Lake Cumberland access (houseboating capital), Daniel Boone National Forest providing endless hiking, Cumberland Falls beauty, and retirement paradise with outdoor recreation defining South Central Kentucky’s most livable destination where Lake Cumberland gateway meets exceptional affordability and outdoor paradise creates Kentucky’s premier recreation city.
Healthcare and Services:
Somerset residents access comprehensive healthcare through Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital providing regional medical services. The hospital serves South Central Kentucky with quality care.
Transportation:
Somerset is accessed via U.S. Route 27, Kentucky Highway 80 (Hal Rogers Parkway), and various routes. Most residents use personal vehicles. The location creates isolation in South Central Kentucky. Typical travel times to Lexington are 1.5 hours, to Knoxville 2 hours.
Conclusion:
Moving to Somerset in 2025 offers affordable lake living with Lake Cumberland gateway access, outdoor paradise, and small-city character. The city’s combination of exceptionally low housing costs, world-class Lake Cumberland proximity, and Daniel Boone National Forest access makes it ideal for retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking South Central Kentucky’s recreation capital where Lake Cumberland houseboating meets exceptional affordability and outdoor paradise defines the gateway to Kentucky’s finest lake living.