Somerset

Somerset is the county seat of Pulaski County and the largest town on the northern shore of Lake Cumberland. First settled in 1798 and named for Somerset County, New Jersey, it has grown into the shopping, healthcare, and employment hub for much of South Central Kentucky, while keeping a walkable historic downtown and easy access to the water.

Whether you're looking for a lake home, a place in town close to everything, or acreage just outside the city limits, Somerset offers a wide range of housing at prices well below most lake markets in the region.

Life on Lake Cumberland

Lake Cumberland covers roughly 65,000 acres with more than 1,200 miles of shoreline and dozens of waterfalls tucked into its coves. From Somerset, you're minutes from the water:

• Lee's Ford Resort Marina – about four miles west of town on Fishing Creek, with slips, rentals, dining, and boat service
• Burnside Marina – next to General Burnside Island State Park on the lake's eastern end
• Conley Bottom Resort – a full-service marina on the northern shore
• Public ramps – including Waitsboro (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and General Burnside Island
• Pulaski County Park – lakeside picnic areas, trails, and camping

Buying on the lake? Lake Cumberland's shoreline is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so lake access, dock permits, and shoreline use vary from property to property. Ask us before you fall in love with a view. We'll help you understand exactly what access comes with a home.

Downtown & Things to Do

• Somernites Cruise – a monthly car show that fills downtown on the fourth Saturday, April through October
• Lake Cumberland Farmers Market – Saturday mornings in season
• The Virginia Theatre and the Master Musicians Festival for music and the arts
• SomerSplash Waterpark – a 20-acre waterpark that becomes an ice rink in winter
• Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument – Civil War history just west of town
• Cumberland Falls State Resort Park and the Daniel Boone National Forest – within an easy drive for hiking and sightseeing

Healthcare, Education & Work

• Healthcare: Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital serves as the region's main medical center.
• Public schools: Somerset is served by Pulaski County Schools, Somerset Independent Schools, and Science Hill Independent Schools. Private options include Somerset Christian School and Saline Christian Academy. School assignment depends on the property address, so verify with the district. You can review school performance at the Kentucky School Report Card.
• Higher education: Somerset Community College, with additional university programs offered locally.
• Employment: Healthcare, manufacturing, education, and retail are the area's largest employment sectors.

Getting Around

Somerset sits on US-27 and the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Expressway, with I-75 about 30 miles away. Lexington is roughly an hour and twenty minutes north, and Lake Cumberland Regional Airport serves private and general aviation.

Thinking About Moving to Somerset?

Whether you're relocating from out of state, buying a second home on the lake, or selling your Somerset property, our local team knows this market street by street and cove by cove. Call or text Barry Turner at (606) 875-5988 or email barry@laketimeky.com.

Information is provided for general reference and is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Please verify details such as school assignments, lake access, and permits independently.