The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 40965 sells for about $160,000, or $105 per square foot.
Prices are up +17.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 82 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $595 a month.
ZIP 40965 — Middlesboro
The housing market in 40965 remains affordable with a median sale price of $160,000, reflecting a 17.5% year-over-year increase. Market activity is characterized by low inventory and a moderate pace of sales, with buyers finding value compared to broader regional trends. Economic indicators remain soft, with high poverty and unemployment rates influencing local housing demand.
This ZIP code is best suited for budget-conscious buyers and those seeking affordable, rural-adjacent living, as it offers a low cost of entry compared to national and regional averages.
Median prices moved up 17.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 82 days on market with 4.1 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 94.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 10.8% · poverty 31.8% — elevated distress and economic pressure.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 0.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 40965, Bell County KY
Schools in the area are primarily served by the Middlesboro Independent School District, which generally faces challenges typical of rural Appalachian districts.
The area is subject to regional flood risks associated with the Cumberland River basin and mountainous terrain; property insurance availability is stable but premiums are sensitive to regional weather events.
Economic momentum is limited, with the local economy historically anchored by healthcare, retail, and legacy industrial sectors; development is primarily focused on small-scale residential and commercial infill.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Kentucky) — Kentucky Ad Valorem Property Tax: Property is assessed at its fair cash value (price at a fair voluntary sale). The tax is calculated by applying local and state tax rates to the assessed value.
Commutes are primarily local within the Middlesboro area, with a mean commute time of approximately 17.3 minutes.
The area features access to the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, offering extensive hiking trails and outdoor recreation, alongside local municipal parks and golf facilities.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high vacancy pressure, with a significant portion of the stock consisting of older single-family homes and limited multi-family options.
The local economy is driven by healthcare services, retail trade, and public sector employment, with limited industrial diversification.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with US Highway 25E serving as the primary corridor for regional connectivity.
Development activity is currently limited to small-scale residential renovations and minor commercial improvements.
The Bell County Property Valuation Administrator assesses property at fair cash value, with periodic reappraisals conducted per state mandate.
Parcels are subject to Middlesboro Independent School District taxes and various county-level special service districts.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional wildfire and flood risk profiles, with standard market availability.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau and SimpleMaps ZCTA profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
Major regional attraction offering hiking, history, and scenic views.
Historic golf course serving the local community.
Local cultural institution preserving regional history.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.