Checked
Paducah, KY
City in McCracken County, Kentucky. ZIP codes: 42001.
Population
26,845
Land area
20.3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,319
ZIP codes
1
Paducah and its ZIP codes
Paducah at a glance
- Paducah is about 11 times as dense as Kentucky as a whole.
- It is the 16th most populous of 552 cities and towns in Kentucky.
- Households here earn a median of $49,915 a year, 22% less than the Kentucky figure of $63,726.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $165,300 (20% below Kentucky) and median rent is $834 a month.
Local data for Paducah, KY
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals2
- Emergency Rooms2
- Nursing Homes4
- Schools12
- Colleges1
- Libraries1
- Banks16
- Post Offices4
- Parks19
- Grocery Stores20
- Restaurants216
- Affordable Housing10
- Home Health Agencies1
- Hospice Care1
- Dialysis Centers1
- Rehab & Long-Term Care Hospitals1
- Community Health Centers4
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment7
- Private Schools1
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Toxic Release Facilities3
- Historic Places20
Housing and community stats
Paducah, KY, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$49,915
Poverty rate
22.3%
Median home value
$165,300
Median rent
$834/mo
Homeownership
55.0%
Bachelor's or higher
28.8%
Median age
41.5
Average commute
15.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (2,501), Irish Americans (1,704), Polish Americans (439).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for McCracken County. PPP loans are for Paducah.
Unemployment rate
4.0%
Aug 2026, -0.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$59,309
40,975 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$70,969
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$470M
FY 2026, $6,919 per person
How people get to work
Paducah, KY, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone77.4%
- Carpooled7.3%
- Public transit1.3%
- Walked3.9%
- Bicycle1.2%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other1.9%
- Worked from home7.0%
Average one-way commute: 15.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Paducah, KY, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Top: earthquake
Storm events since 1996
969
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
195
0.7% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 25°F
49.1 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone20 historic places
ZIP codes in Paducah
1 in or overlapping Paducah. Population shown
Cities near Paducah
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| HendronCensus-designated place | 2.8 mi | 5.3 |
| FarleyCensus-designated place | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| MassacCensus-designated place | 4 mi | 4 |
| Brookport, ILCity | 4.3 mi | 0.7 |
| LedbetterCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 6.9 |
| ReidlandCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Metropolis, ILCity | 8.5 mi | 6 |
| SymsoniaCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 1.5 |
| SmithlandCity | 13 mi | 0.5 |
| LovelacevilleCensus-designated place | 13 mi | 0.5 |
| KevilCity | 14 mi | 0.6 |
| LowesCensus-designated place | 15 mi | 0.7 |
| Joppa, ILVillage | 15 mi | 0.5 |
| Calvert CityCity | 16 mi | 17.9 |
| HickoryCensus-designated place | 17 mi | 0.9 |
| GilbertsvilleCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Paducah, KY in?
- Paducah is in McCracken County, Kentucky.
- What ZIP codes are in Paducah, KY?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Paducah include 42001.
- What is the population of Paducah, KY?
- About 26,845 people live in Paducah, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Paducah?
- Nearby places include Hendron (2.8 mi), Farley (3.4 mi), Massac (4 mi), Brookport, IL (4.3 mi), Ledbetter (7.1 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023