42303 and 42301 receive effectively the same standardized Area Score. Which fits you better depends on which dimensions you weight — the differences below are where they actually diverge.
Signals
42303
42301
Opportunity
38 · Bottom 18%
vs39 · Bottom 19%
Growth
47 · Bottom 45%
vs47 · Bottom 45%
Climate
74 · Top 36%
vs74 · Top 36%
Physical resilience
39 · Bottom 30%
vs38 · Bottom 30%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 11%
vs100 · Top 9%
Schools
55 · Top 46%
vs45 · Bottom 41%
Access
97 · Top 32%
vs98 · Top 21%
Economic stability
43 · Bottom 24%
vs53 · Bottom 38%
Measured values
| Metric | 42303 | 42301 | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,119 | 45,445 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $64,773 | $66,885 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $39,736 | $32,914 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 863/sq mi | 263/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $198,200 | $198,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $979 | $876 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.8% | 63.0% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.3% | 5.3% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.9% | -1.9% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.0% | 26.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 17.9% | 14.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 193 | 193 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.2 | 3.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -34.8% | -34.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 89°F | 89°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 26°F | 26°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 47.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 6 mi | 5 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 19.3 min | 20.5 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.9 | 36.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 12 | 22 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 17.07 | 14.69 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 34.4% | 29.7% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 43.3% | 39.9% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 56.5% | 65.8% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
42303
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, strong wind, inland flooding.
42301
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake, strong wind, inland flooding.
Full profiles: 42303 — Owensboro, KY · 42301 — Owensboro, KY · How this is calculated: methodology