Hopkins County's composite score of 73.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 47%, demonstrating above-average livability compared to U.S. communities overall. The county holds solid ground in the nation's livable tier.
2 / 5
Slightly below Kentucky peers
At 73.7, Hopkins County falls 1.3 points below Kentucky's 75.0 state average, placing it in the middle of the commonwealth's county rankings. It represents slightly-below-average livability within the state context.
3 / 5
Balanced affordability and tax relief
Hopkins County offers solid housing affordability (82.7 score) with median home values of $128,800 and rents at $841/month, paired with a low tax burden (79.2 score) at 0.821% effective rate. Median household income of $57,610 provides middle-class purchasing power.
4 / 5
Income growth remains limited
The income score of 21.0 is Hopkins County's weakest point, suggesting limited wage growth or career advancement opportunities relative to peers. Substantial data gaps in safety, health, school, and environmental dimensions leave key quality-of-life questions unanswered.
5 / 5
For stable, unpretentious households
Hopkins County suits families and retirees seeking a straightforward trade-off: low taxes and affordable housing in exchange for modest income growth. It appeals to those comfortable with blue-collar stability over professional ambition.
Hopkins County's composite score of 73.7 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 47%, demonstrating above-average livability compared to U.S. communities overall. The county holds solid ground in the nation's livable tier.
Slightly below Kentucky peers
At 73.7, Hopkins County falls 1.3 points below Kentucky's 75.0 state average, placing it in the middle of the commonwealth's county rankings. It represents slightly-below-average livability within the state context.
Balanced affordability and tax relief
Hopkins County offers solid housing affordability (82.7 score) with median home values of $128,800 and rents at $841/month, paired with a low tax burden (79.2 score) at 0.821% effective rate. Median household income of $57,610 provides middle-class purchasing power.
Income growth remains limited
The income score of 21.0 is Hopkins County's weakest point, suggesting limited wage growth or career advancement opportunities relative to peers. Substantial data gaps in safety, health, school, and environmental dimensions leave key quality-of-life questions unanswered.
For stable, unpretentious households
Hopkins County suits families and retirees seeking a straightforward trade-off: low taxes and affordable housing in exchange for modest income growth. It appeals to those comfortable with blue-collar stability over professional ambition.
Score breakdown
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🏛79.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Hopkins County taxes run well below national average
Hopkins County's 0.821% effective rate sits near the national average, but its median property tax of $1,057 is just 39% of the national median of $2,690. The gap widens because Hopkins's median home value of $128,800 is less than half the national median of $281,900.
Above Kentucky's tax rate average
At 0.821%, Hopkins County exceeds Kentucky's state average effective rate of 0.719%, matching Henry County as one of the higher-tax counties profiled. However, its median property tax of $1,057 sits just below the state median of $1,093, owing to lower home values.
Mid-range taxes for the region
Hopkins's 0.821% rate matches Henry County but trails Henderson County (0.878%), while beating Hart County (0.750%) and Harrison County (0.679%). For this region, Hopkins represents a moderate-to-high tax burden.
Modest tax on modest-value homes
A median Hopkins County home valued at $128,800 carries an annual property tax of $1,057. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,238 per year; those without mortgages pay $795—relatively affordable given the county's rate.
File an appeal if overassessed
Hopkins County homeowners should compare their assessed values to recent comparable sales in the neighborhood. If your assessment appears inflated, filing a free appeal with the county assessor could lower your annual tax burden.
Hopkins County edges above affordability threshold
Renters in Hopkins County spend 17.5% of income on housing, notably above Kentucky's 17.0% state average and above the national affordability comfort zone. Median rent of $841 runs substantially higher than the state median of $771, while median income of $57,610 provides limited cushion at 23% below the national median.
Below-average affordability within Kentucky
Hopkins County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio places it in the least affordable quartile of Kentucky counties. Higher housing costs relative to local incomes suggest households here face tighter housing budgets.
High rents on modest incomes
Hopkins County's $841 rent is second-highest in this region behind only Henry County ($871), yet its median income of $57,610 is the lowest among the eight counties. This combination creates the steepest housing-to-income challenge here.
Housing absorbs significant income share
Renters pay $841 monthly while homeowners pay $693, a reversal that makes owning potentially more affordable than renting. On $57,610 income, renters spend 17.5% on housing while owners spend roughly 14%—suggesting a path to ownership might ease the affordability squeeze.
Hopkins requires careful financial planning
Hopkins County works best for renters willing to transition to ownership, where costs drop meaningfully, or for households earning $65,000+. If you're considering Hopkins, prioritize understanding the local job market and homeownership pathways.
Hopkins County's median household income of $57,610 falls about 23% below the national median of $74,755. The per capita income of $28,979 dips slightly below the state average, suggesting more modest individual earning power.
Near Kentucky's average income
Hopkins County households earn $57,610, about 3% above Kentucky's state average of $55,909. The county ranks solidly in the middle range of Kentucky counties.
Hopkins lags stronger county peers
Hopkins County's $57,610 trails Harrison ($63,205), Hickman ($63,750), and Henry ($60,736) but exceeds Hart ($49,653). The county ranks in the lower-middle tier of its region.
Housing costs strain budgets
At 17.5% of median income, Hopkins County's rent-to-income ratio edges toward affordability problems. A median home value of $128,800 represents 2.2 times median household income, requiring careful financial planning.
Start small with consistent saving
Hopkins County residents should prioritize building emergency savings first, then gradually increase investment contributions as budgets allow. Automatic transfers to savings accounts make wealth building habitual and achievable even with moderate incomes.
Hopkins County residents live to 72.3 years on average, nearly 5.8 years below the U.S. average of 78.1 years. One in four people report poor or fair health (24%), reflecting a population managing significant chronic disease burden.
Barely Matches State Average, Underperforms
At 72.3 years, Hopkins County life expectancy matches Kentucky's 72.2-year state average, but its 24% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state norm. The county sits squarely in Kentucky's middle tier, with outcomes neither notably strong nor notably weak.
Best Primary Care Access in Region
Hopkins County's 72.3-year life expectancy ranks midway among its peers, but its 100 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is the highest in the region—double Henry County's 58 and nearly quadruple Jackson's 23. This strong primary care presence supports community health management.
Excellent Access, Better-Than-Average Coverage
Hopkins County's 6.8% uninsured rate sits below Kentucky's 7% average, and the county leads its peers in primary care density at 100 providers per 100,000 residents. Mental health resources are also robust at 138 providers per 100,000, supporting both physical and behavioral health care.
Maintain Hopkins' Healthcare Strength
Hopkins County's strong provider base and good insurance coverage support better health outcomes. If you're among the 6.8% uninsured, visit kynect.ky.gov to activate coverage—strong care access here means you'll benefit immediately.
Hopkins County's composite risk score of 72.55 earns a Relatively Low rating but exceeds Kentucky's state average of 44.21 by 64%. The county faces substantially elevated multi-hazard exposure compared to most of the commonwealth.
Among Kentucky's highest-risk counties
Hopkins County ranks in the upper tier of Kentucky's 120 counties for natural disaster risk. Its Relatively Low rating reflects significant exposure to tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods.
Riskier than most regional peers
Hopkins County's 72.55 score closely mirrors Henderson County (73.16) and far exceeds safer neighbors like Harrison (33.78) and Henry (15.74). The elevated tornado risk (79.61) and earthquake exposure (91.67) drive this regional distinction.
Tornadoes and earthquakes pose major threats
Tornado risk reaches 79.61 in Hopkins County—the highest among these eight counties—with earthquake risk following at 91.67. Flood risk (66.63) presents a significant third concern for communities near waterways.
Don't skip earthquake or tornado coverage
Hopkins County residents must ensure homeowners insurance includes tornado protection and should prioritize earthquake coverage given the county's above-state-average seismic risk. Consider a safe room or shelter to supplement insurance for tornado protection.