The Town FilesPrinceton, Kentucky
City in Caldwell County · population 6,270 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $96,600
- Household income
- $47,411
- Jan low / Jul high
- 27° / 89°
- Snow a year
- 9 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 22
- Median age
- 40.5
Princeton is a city of 6,270 people in Caldwell County, Kentucky. The median home is worth $96,600, below the typical Kentucky town ($161,450). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 91% of Kentucky towns, quieter than 73% of Kentucky towns.
How Princeton ranks
Percentile among Kentucky towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Kentucky towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Princeton is worth $96,600, below the typical Kentucky town ($161,450). Homes cost about 2.0 times the median household income of $47,411, which is more affordable than 90% of Kentucky towns. Median rent is $762 a month. 52.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | Princeton | Typical Kentucky town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $96,600 | $161,450 |
| Median rent | $762 | $837 |
| Median household income | $47,411 | $54,969 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.0× | 3.0× |
| Homeownership | 52.8% | 63.5% |
| Median year built | 1969 | 1974 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 1.0% | — |
Who lives in Princeton
| People | Princeton | Typical Kentucky town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.5 | 39.1 |
| Age 65 and over | 20.1% | 18.1% |
| Under 18 | 24.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 19.8% |
| Below the poverty line | 15.8% | 18.0% |
| Veterans | 9.3% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.5% | — |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 7.5% |
| Average commute | 21.0 min | 22.2 min |
| Homes with broadband | 93.8% | 88.6% |
Weather in Princeton
July highs average 89.2°F and January lows 27.1°F. About 50.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 8.5 inches of snow (typical Kentucky town: 9.4 in). Expect about 49 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 78 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
22 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Princeton since 1950, compared with 19 for the typical Kentucky town. 13 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF4, struck on December 10, 2021 about 1.0 miles from the town center and killed 4. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 7 deaths and 52 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on May 26, 2024.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 22 times; the largest was 2.75 inches on April 3, 1974.
Severe weather in Caldwell County since 1996
Caldwell County has been included in 27 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, tornado, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 24, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3633: Severe Winter Storm |
| May 23, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4875: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes |
| April 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4864: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides |
| April 3, 2025 | Severe Storm | EM-3626: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding |
| February 24, 2025 | Severe Storm | DR-4860: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides |
Jobs and pay in Caldwell County
Caldwell County had 4,693 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $43,790 a year. Unemployment was 3.9% in 2023; in Princeton itself the ACS puts it at 4.5%.
Public schools in Princeton
5 public schools with 1,905 students, about 18.3 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldwell County High School | 9-12 | 564 | 20.1 |
| Caldwell County Primary School | PK-2 | 539 | 18.0 |
| Caldwell County Middle School | 6-8 | 420 | 17.5 |
| Caldwell County Elementary School | 3-5 | 382 | 17.4 |
| Caldwell County Area Technology Center | 8-12 | — | — |
Towns near Princeton
- Cadiz, KY17.3 mi · 2,540 people · home $149,800
- Marion, KY18.9 mi · 2,916 people · home $97,300
- Providence, KY21.5 mi · 2,892 people · home $60,300
- Madisonville, KY26.4 mi · 19,542 people · home $164,100
- Calvert City, KY28.5 mi · 2,514 people · home $165,700
- Hopkinsville, KY29.3 mi · 31,180 people · home $172,100
Princeton questions
Is Princeton, Kentucky a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Princeton scores better for retirees than 49% of Kentucky towns and quieter than 73%. 20.1% of residents are 65 or older (median age 40.5).
How much does a house cost in Princeton?
The median owner-occupied home in Princeton is valued at $96,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $47,411, so homes cost about 2.0 times income. Median rent is $762 a month.
What is the weather like in Princeton?
July highs average 89.2°F and January lows 27.1°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 50.9 inches of precipitation a year and 8.5 inches of snow.
Does Princeton get tornadoes?
22 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Princeton since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF4 on December 10, 2021. The typical Kentucky town has had 19.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)