Hardin County's composite score of 72.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 45%, ranking it above-average in national livability comparisons. Strong income potential and reasonable taxes drive this solid performance.
2 / 5
Slightly Below Kentucky State Average
Hardin County scores 72.4, sitting just under the Kentucky state average of 75.0 and placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. This position reflects slightly less favorable livability conditions than the typical Kentucky county.
3 / 5
Higher Income Potential and Low Taxes
Hardin County boasts a median household income of $67,608—among the highest in this group—paired with a tax score of 82.4 and effective rate of 0.705%. This income-to-tax ratio offers strong financial opportunity for working residents.
4 / 5
Housing Costs Exceed Regional Peers
The cost score of 76.2 reflects higher median home values of $205,900 and rents at $947/month, notably above comparable Kentucky counties. Missing data on safety, schools, and health limits broader livability assessment.
5 / 5
Best for Higher-Income Families with Jobs
Hardin County suits professionals and dual-income families with above-average earnings seeking Kentucky living with good income potential. It works best for those willing to pay higher housing costs in exchange for income stability and economic opportunity.
Hardin County's composite score of 72.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 45%, ranking it above-average in national livability comparisons. Strong income potential and reasonable taxes drive this solid performance.
Slightly Below Kentucky State Average
Hardin County scores 72.4, sitting just under the Kentucky state average of 75.0 and placing it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. This position reflects slightly less favorable livability conditions than the typical Kentucky county.
Higher Income Potential and Low Taxes
Hardin County boasts a median household income of $67,608—among the highest in this group—paired with a tax score of 82.4 and effective rate of 0.705%. This income-to-tax ratio offers strong financial opportunity for working residents.
Housing Costs Exceed Regional Peers
The cost score of 76.2 reflects higher median home values of $205,900 and rents at $947/month, notably above comparable Kentucky counties. Missing data on safety, schools, and health limits broader livability assessment.
Best for Higher-Income Families with Jobs
Hardin County suits professionals and dual-income families with above-average earnings seeking Kentucky living with good income potential. It works best for those willing to pay higher housing costs in exchange for income stability and economic opportunity.
Score breakdown
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🏛82.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
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.
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.
At 73.7 years, Hardin County's life expectancy tops the U.S. average of 72.0 years by 1.7 years, and its 20.9% poor/fair health rate beats the national average of 21%. Hardin ranks among America's healthier counties on both longevity and perceived health status.
Hardin ranks among Kentucky's best
Hardin's 73.7-year life expectancy exceeds Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, and its 20.9% poor/fair health rate is among the state's lowest. The 5.9% uninsured rate matches Hancock County's and beats the state average of 7.0%, indicating strong coverage.
Best provider access in the region
Hardin County's 60 primary care providers per 100,000 residents tie for the region's best with Grayson County, and its 456 mental health providers per 100K far exceed any neighbor—a regional leader in behavioral health. This infrastructure supports Hardin's strong health outcomes.
Strong coverage and access drive results
Hardin County's 5.9% uninsured rate and 60 primary care providers per 100K create ideal conditions for preventive care and early treatment. The exceptional 456 mental health providers per 100K—likely reflecting a larger urban/suburban population—ensures behavioral health support is accessible.
Complete Hardin's health picture
The 5.9% of uninsured Hardin County residents can enroll through Healthcare.gov, Medicaid, or employer plans to join the 94.1% with coverage. Insurance is the foundation of the healthy outcomes Hardin County has built.
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.