countyscore
48.1
County Score
Water Quality 70.6Lawn Care 70.4Weather & Climate 66.3

County Report Card

About Hardin County, Kentucky

Slightly Below the National Median

Hardin County's composite score of 48.1 falls just under the national median of 50.0. While it offers strong economic opportunities, other factors pull the overall average down.

Trailing the Kentucky Average

At 48.1, the county sits below the state average of 58.6. This gap is largely driven by higher costs and environmental risk factors that differ from the state's more rural areas.

Economic Vitality and Strong Incomes

Hardin County is an economic hub with a healthy Income Score of 60.5 and median earnings of $67,608. It also maintains a reasonable tax burden with a Tax Score of 62.6.

High Costs and Environmental Vulnerability

The county's lowest marks are in Cost (33.4) and Risk (24.5). Rent is higher than average at $947, and the area is more susceptible to natural disaster risks than its neighbors.

Built for Career-Minded Residents

Hardin County is best suited for working professionals who prioritize career opportunities and higher wages. Residents here trade some affordability and environmental predictability for a more active local economy.

2040608010062.633.455.151.933.960.524.570.666.3Tax62.6Cost33.4Safety55.1Health51.9Schools33.9Income60.5Risk24.5Water70.6Weather66.348.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Hardin County DNA

Foverall

How Hardin County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Hardin County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (70.6/100) but notably weak in Disaster Risk (24.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62.6+10.600000000000001
Cost
33.4-14.600000000000001
Safety
55.1
Health
51.9
Schools
33.9-20.1
Income
60.5+9.5
Risk
24.5-22.5
Water
70.6+12.599999999999994
Weather
66.3+10.299999999999997
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$205,900

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$947/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$205,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$37,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,608/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.0

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Hardin County
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Northampton County
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48.1

Nearby counties

Bullitt County
Kentucky
49.5
Larue County
Kentucky
61.6
Meade County
Kentucky
58.1
Nelson County
Kentucky
54.6
Harrison County
Indiana
60.1
Grayson County
Kentucky
62.1
Jefferson County
Kentucky
34.3
Breckinridge County
Kentucky
65

Deep Dives

Hardin County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Hardin County

via TaxByCounty

Hardin County taxes are moderate nationwide

Hardin County's effective tax rate of 0.705% falls below the national median of roughly 0.85%, placing it in the lower-middle range of U.S. counties. The median property tax of $1,451 remains well below the national median of $2,690.

Right at Kentucky's state average

Hardin County's 0.705% effective rate closely mirrors Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, making it a typical county within the commonwealth. With a median tax of $1,451 versus the state median of $1,093, Hardin residents pay about $358 more annually.

Higher-valued homes drive higher taxes

Hardin County's $1,451 median tax is the highest among its regional peers, reflecting the county's highest median home value of $205,900. The combination means Hardin attracts homebuyers with larger budgets and correspondingly higher tax obligations.

What your Hardin County home costs

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $205,900 pays approximately $1,451 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,643 when including escrow and insurance; without a mortgage, it drops to $1,197.

Challenge inflated assessments

Hardin County's higher home values mean that overassessments carry bigger financial consequences. If your property's assessed value seems too high, contact the Hardin County Property Valuation Administrator to appeal—correcting an overvaluation could save you substantial amounts annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hardin County

via CostByCounty

Hardin County's higher price point

Hardin County renters spend 16.8% of income on housing—reasonable by national standards but notable because rents here are the highest in this dataset at $947 monthly. Against a $67,608 median income, the county represents premium pricing for Kentucky.

Above-average rents, solid affordability ratio

Hardin County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio sits just below Kentucky's 17.0% state average despite the state's highest median rent of $947. Local incomes are also among the strongest, allowing residents to absorb these elevated costs.

Premium pricing in the region

Hardin County's $947 rent substantially exceeds all peers—the next-highest is Grant County at $855—and its median home value of $205,900 is also the region's highest. The county attracts higher-income households willing to pay more.

Higher costs, higher incomes

Renters pay $947 monthly while homeowners carry $988 against a median household income of $67,608. Housing claims roughly 17-18% of earnings, manageable given local wage levels but the highest absolute costs in this county group.

For those prioritizing amenities

Hardin County commands Kentucky's premium housing prices, suggesting stronger local economies, schools, or amenities than rural peers. If you're relocating with solid income and value access to more developed areas, Hardin's higher costs may reflect genuine investment returns.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hardin County

via IncomeByCounty

Hardin County matches national income levels

Hardin County's median household income of $67,608 runs 9.5% below the U.S. median of $74,755, yet positions the county among Kentucky's stronger earners. A per capita income of $36,836 is the highest among all sampled counties.

Top earner in Kentucky sample

At $67,608, Hardin County's median household income exceeds Kentucky's state average of $55,909 by 21.0%, reflecting the county's economic strength relative to the state. Hardin County residents earn significantly more than typical Kentucky households.

Leads northern Kentucky cluster

Hardin County's $67,608 median income ranks alongside Grant County ($67,940) and Hancock County ($66,836) as part of Kentucky's most affluent regional trio. The three counties substantially outperform the rest of the state.

Strong income supports higher property values

A rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% indicates manageable housing costs despite a median home value of $205,900—the highest in the sampled group. Strong household earnings support both homeownership and savings goals.

Build sophisticated wealth strategy

Hardin County's above-average income and highest per capita earnings in the sample enable aggressive wealth building through diversified investments and real estate. Consider tax-advantaged strategies like 529 plans for education and charitable giving to maximize long-term financial growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Hardin County

via CrimeByCounty

Hardin County stays below national norms

Hardin County maintains a safety score of 98.4, indicating it remains safer than many parts of the country. Its total crime rate of 1023.4 per 100K is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

Local crime versus state averages

The county's safety score of 98.4 is slightly below the Kentucky average of 98.8. Its crime rate of 1023.4 per 100K is higher than the state average of 786.2, reflecting its higher population density.

Security trends among regional neighbors

Hardin County's crime rate of 1023.4 per 100K is higher than Grayson County's 691.5, yet remains much lower than the national average. Six reporting agencies work to manage safety across this active county.

A breakdown of local offenses

Violent crime in Hardin County is 105.4 per 100K, which is well below the national rate of 369.8. Property crime is the most frequent issue, occurring at a rate of 918.0 per 100K residents.

Boosting home security in Hardin

With property crime as the primary concern, homeowners should prioritize securing entrances and using smart home tech. These small steps help maintain a safer environment for everyone in Hardin County.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Hardin County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Major Educational Hub in Kentucky

Hardin County is home to a massive network of 33 public schools serving 17,140 students across two districts. The landscape includes 16 elementary schools, six middle schools, seven high schools, and four alternative programs.

Strong Outcomes for a Large System

Despite its size, the county maintains an 89.4% graduation rate, beating the national average. While spending $6,298 per pupil is below the state median, the district manages to serve a diverse population effectively.

Hardin County and Elizabethtown Districts

The Hardin County district is one of the state's largest with 14,675 students across 26 schools. Elizabethtown Independent adds a further seven schools and 2,465 students to the mix, with zero charter schools currently operating.

Diverse Urban and Rural Locales

Hardin County offers a rare mix of city, suburban, and rural school settings with an average school size of 536. Central Hardin High is the county's largest school, enrolling 1,914 students in a comprehensive campus environment.

Find Your Perfect Fit in Hardin County

Whether you prefer a city school or a rural campus, Hardin County's diverse options cater to every family's needs. Use the county's strong graduation stats as a guide when exploring homes in this thriving region.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hardin County

via RiskByCounty

Hardin County faces significant disaster risk

Hardin County scores 75.51 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, exceeding Kentucky's state average of 44.21 by 71%. This represents one of Kentucky's higher natural disaster exposure zones.

Upper tier of Kentucky's risk profile

Hardin County ranks well above Kentucky's median disaster risk, with its 75.51 score positioning it in the state's higher-risk bracket. Only a subset of Kentucky counties face comparable overall hazard exposure.

Substantially riskier than nearby counties

Hardin County's 75.51 score markedly exceeds nearby Grant County (16.29) and Grayson County (45.26). Its tornado score of 84.19 is among the highest in the region.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate

Tornado risk at 84.19 is Hardin County's most pressing hazard, closely followed by earthquake risk at 84.57—both well above the state average. Flooding at 73.70 adds substantial secondary risk to the county profile.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Hardin County homeowners must prioritize homeowners insurance with robust tornado and earthquake riders, given the county's elevated scores in both hazards. Flood insurance is strongly recommended, particularly for properties in flood-prone areas.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Hardin County

via WaterByCounty

Hardin County Maintains Grade A Status

Hardin County reports only one health violation over the last five years, earning a solid Grade A. Its violation rate of 0.7 per 100,000 residents is far superior to the state average of 35.7.

Eight Assessed Water Bodies Pass Review

Federal assessments from the 2022 cycle show 0.0% impairment across 8 water bodies in Hardin County. All assessed streams and rivers currently meet the standards set by the Clean Water Act.

Strong Monitoring for Organic Pesticides

Hardin County features 11 monitoring sites that have amassed 9,811 measurements over five years. The data collection focuses heavily on organics and pesticides, ensuring close tracking of potential runoff.

Nolin River Flow Critically Low

The Nolin River at White Mills is currently flowing at 97 cfs, which is just 19% of its long-term typical mean. This significantly low discharge suggests much drier conditions than usual for the river.

Watch Flow Levels for Quality Changes

While drinking water compliance is excellent, the extremely low flow in the Nolin River (19% of normal) can concentrate contaminants. Residents should be mindful of water conservation and potential changes in source water chemistry during dry spells.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Hardin County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate Climate with High Rainfall

Hardin County features an annual average temperature of 55.5°F, sitting right near the national median. However, its 51.5 inches of annual rain is far higher than what is typical for many U.S. counties.

Average Kentucky Weather in Every Way

Hardin County’s 55.5°F average temperature and 51.5 inches of rain are both very close to the state averages of 56.2°F and 50.6 inches. It serves as a near-perfect climate snapshot of the Bluegrass State.

Drier Winters Than Eastern Neighbors

Hardin County receives just 2.4 inches of snow annually, which is much lower than the 13.7 inches found in Greenup County. This makes it an ideal spot for those who prefer Kentucky's rain over its snow.

Warm Summers and Very Little Snow

Summers are warm but manageable, with 21 days reaching 90°F and a July average of 75.8°F. Winters are mild for the region, featuring only 2.4 inches of total snow and a January average of 33.1°F.

Focus on Rain Management

Because snowfall is minimal, residents should focus more on gutter maintenance to handle the 51.5 inches of rain. Light winter layers are usually enough for the mild cold season where temperatures often stay above freezing.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Hardin County

via SoilByCounty

Heartland Soil Characteristics

Soil pH and classification data for Hardin County are missing from the current records. Local growers should test their soil to see how it compares to the state average pH of 5.80.

Mapping Local Soil Makeup

Specific sand, silt, and clay percentages are not listed for the county at this time. These soils typically vary from karst-influenced limestone areas to more traditional agricultural plains.

Seeking State Average Fertility

With organic matter data unavailable, gardeners should aim to mimic the state's average of 3.55% organic content. Building up these levels improves the ground's ability to hold nutrients and water.

Hydrology in Karst Landscapes

Drainage class data is not currently recorded for Hardin County. Because the region is known for its limestone, water can move through the ground in complex ways that require careful site planning.

Abundant Harvests in Zone 7a

Hardin County sits in Hardiness Zone 7a, perfect for heat-loving crops and a variety of perennials. Grab a shovel and start planting to make the most of this reliable growing climate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Hardin County

via LawnByCounty

Strong Lawn Potential

Hardin County features a healthy lawn difficulty score of 70.4, beating the state average of 66.3. It is significantly easier to grow grass here than the national median of 50. The zone 7a hardiness provides a versatile environment for many popular grass species.

Cooler Summers, Plenty of Rain

Hardin experiences only 21 extreme heat days, which is nearly 30% fewer than the state average of 30 days. Lawns are further supported by 51.5 inches of annual rain and 3,868 growing degree days. This combination of moderate heat and high moisture is ideal for steady grass development.

Maintaining the Foundation

Specific soil data is unavailable, but the favorable climate suggests that standard maintenance routines will yield great results. Focus on core aeration to ensure the 51.5 inches of rain can reach deep into the root system. Periodic soil testing will help you fine-tune your fertilizer applications for peak performance.

Excellent Water Security

With zero percent of the area currently in drought and only four weeks of drought in the past year, water security is high. Lawns in Hardin County generally require less supplemental irrigation than those in drier parts of Kentucky. This makes it a cost-effective place to maintain a high-quality landscape.

Seeding with Confidence

Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass thrive in this climate, especially when seeded between the April 16th and October 25th frost dates. The mild summer temperatures give young grass a better chance to survive its first year. Start your seeding project this season to capitalize on these excellent conditions.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hardin County's county score?
Hardin County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 48.1 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Hardin County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Hardin County ranks #106 among all counties in Kentucky on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Hardin County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Hardin County is $1,451, with an effective tax rate of 0.70%. This earns Hardin County a tax score of 62.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hardin County?
The median household income in Hardin County, Kentucky is $67,608 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hardin County earns an income score of 60.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hardin County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Hardin County scores 48.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #106 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Hardin County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Hardin County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.