Hart County's composite score of 75.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 50%, demonstrating strong fundamentals across measured dimensions. The county ranks solidly in the nation's livable tier, though not among the highest performers.
2 / 5
On par with Kentucky average
Hart County's 75.2 score essentially matches Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's county rankings. It represents the baseline livability experience across the commonwealth.
3 / 5
Affordability is Hart's main asset
Hart County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 85.6—among the highest in the dataset—featuring median home values of just $124,600 and rents at $692/month. The tax burden (81.2 score) further reduces household expenses with an effective rate of 0.750%.
4 / 5
Income lags significantly behind
The income score of 15.8 is Hart County's weakest dimension, with median household income of $49,653 trailing most peers by $10,000 or more. This income-affordability gap suggests limited career advancement opportunities or lower regional wages.
5 / 5
Best for cost-conscious rural dwellers
Hart County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden. It's less suited for those prioritizing high household incomes or extensive urban amenities.
Hart County's composite score of 75.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 50%, demonstrating strong fundamentals across measured dimensions. The county ranks solidly in the nation's livable tier, though not among the highest performers.
On par with Kentucky average
Hart County's 75.2 score essentially matches Kentucky's state average of 75.0, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's county rankings. It represents the baseline livability experience across the commonwealth.
Affordability is Hart's main asset
Hart County excels in housing affordability with a cost score of 85.6—among the highest in the dataset—featuring median home values of just $124,600 and rents at $692/month. The tax burden (81.2 score) further reduces household expenses with an effective rate of 0.750%.
Income lags significantly behind
The income score of 15.8 is Hart County's weakest dimension, with median household income of $49,653 trailing most peers by $10,000 or more. This income-affordability gap suggests limited career advancement opportunities or lower regional wages.
Best for cost-conscious rural dwellers
Hart County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden. It's less suited for those prioritizing high household incomes or extensive urban amenities.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛81.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.750%, Hart County's effective property tax rate sits above the national median of 0.88% but close to the national average. However, Hart's median home value of $124,600 is less than half the national median of $281,900, resulting in a median property tax of just $935—one-third the national median.
Middle of the pack for Kentucky
Hart County's 0.750% effective rate sits just above Kentucky's state average of 0.719%, placing it in the middle tier among the state's 120 counties. The median property tax of $935 falls just below the state median of $1,093, reflecting Hart's lower home values.
Moderate rates in a high-tax region
Hart's 0.750% rate is lower than neighboring Henderson County (0.878%) and Henry County (0.821%), but higher than Harrison County (0.679%). For a county with modest home values, Hart's tax burden remains reasonable compared to regional counterparts.
Affordable taxes on modest homes
A median Hart County home valued at $124,600 carries an annual property tax of $935. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,186 annually in total taxes, while those without mortgages pay $612—making Hart an affordable option for buyers on a budget.
Appeal your assessment if overvalued
Hart County homeowners should verify their assessed values against comparable local sales; overassessment is common even in lower-value markets. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and could reduce your annual tax burden.
Hart County renters spend 16.7% of income on housing, just below Kentucky's 17.0% state average but higher than the national affordability threshold of 14%. The catch: median household income here is only $49,653, nearly 34% below the national median of $74,755, so lower rents don't offset lower wages.
Mid-range affordability within Kentucky
Hart County's rent-to-income ratio places it roughly at the state median—neither particularly affordable nor stretched. Among Kentucky's 120 counties, this represents a middle-ground housing situation tied to regional wage patterns.
Cheapest rents in the regional group
Hart County offers the lowest median rent at $692 per month across this eight-county region, undercutting even Hickman County ($717). However, this affordability advantage is partly offset by the county's below-average median income of $49,653.
Low costs, but tight household budgets
Monthly housing runs $692 for renters and $691 for homeowners—essentially the same, and the lowest in the region. But with median income at just $49,653, housing absorbs 16.7% of earnings, leaving limited flexibility for other expenses.
Hart works if you're moving for income
Hart County's low housing costs make sense if you're relocating with a solid job already lined up or remote income. Without strong local wages to match the low rents, consider whether the area's job market aligns with your earning potential.
Hart County's median household income of $49,653 trails the national median of $74,755 by about 34%. The per capita income of $25,506 sits below both state and national averages, indicating a lower-earning population overall.
Below-average Kentucky income
Hart County households earn $49,653 annually, about 11% less than Kentucky's state average of $55,909. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of Kentucky counties by household income.
Hart struggles among county peers
Hart County's $49,653 median income ranks below neighboring Henderson ($58,239) and Hickman ($63,750) counties. Only Jackson County ($41,410) among nearby areas shows lower household earnings.
Housing costs stretch budgets here
At 16.7% of median income, Hart County's rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability threshold, indicating housing costs require careful budgeting. A median home value of $124,600 remains relatively accessible but leaves less room for other expenses.
Smart savings even on modest income
Hart County households can build wealth through automatic savings—even small contributions to a high-yield savings account or low-cost index fund add up over time. Consider meeting with a local financial advisor to create a budget that prioritizes emergency savings before investing.
Hart County residents live to 73.2 years on average—more than 4.9 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.1 years. Nearly three in ten people report poor or fair health (27.1%), one of the highest rates in Kentucky and a warning sign of serious chronic disease burden.
Hart Ranks in Lower Third Statewide
At 73.2 years, Hart County's life expectancy is about 1 year above Kentucky's 72.2-year average, but its 27.1% poor/fair health rate far exceeds the state norm. This gap suggests Hart residents are surviving longer but living with more disease and disability.
Struggling Worse Than Most Neighbors
Hart's 27.1% poor/fair health rate is the worst among its peer counties, exceeding Jackson (29.5%) only by suffering higher disease burden than Henry, Harrison, and Henderson. Primary care availability here (26 per 100,000) is half that of Henry County (58) and a quarter of Hopkins County (100).
Uninsured Rate Higher, Care Access Limited
Hart County's 7.9% uninsured rate exceeds Kentucky's 7% average, leaving nearly 1 in 12 residents without coverage and delaying preventive care. The county offers only 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, but compensates somewhat with 122 mental health providers—suggesting behavioral health needs drive much local healthcare demand.
Get Covered Before Illness Strikes
With higher uninsurance and disease burden, Hart County residents need accessible coverage now. Apply at kynect.ky.gov today—financial assistance often makes premiums affordable, and early coverage can help manage chronic conditions before they worsen.
Hart County's composite risk score of 41.13 earns a Very Low rating, though it runs slightly below Kentucky's average of 44.21. The county remains in the lower-risk tier nationally for multi-hazard exposure.
Well-positioned in Kentucky rankings
Hart County maintains a Very Low risk classification among Kentucky's 120 counties, reflecting moderate hazard exposure across earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods. Its score places it safely in the lower-risk half statewide.
More vulnerable than Harrison County
Hart County's 41.13 score trails Harrison County (33.78) but significantly outpaces Henderson County's 73.16. The difference reflects Hart County's slightly elevated earthquake risk (63.49) compared to its western neighbor.
Earthquakes and tornadoes lead the hazards
Earthquake risk reaches 63.49 in Hart County, the dominant threat, followed closely by tornado risk at 63.84. Flood risk (49.71) presents a meaningful secondary concern for communities near water.
Prioritize earthquake and tornado coverage
Hart County residents should ensure homeowners insurance includes tornado protection and strongly consider standalone earthquake insurance given the county's elevated seismic risk. Most standard policies exclude earthquake damage entirely.