Hopkins County
KY · Pop. 45,143 · Suburban County
Hopkins County sits in Kentucky across 542 square miles, home to 45,143 people at 83.3 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, hay. A median home price of $129,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.82% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.1°F and average winter lows of 28°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.2 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Baptist Health Madisonville is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 200-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.82% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $129,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Baptist Health Madisonville, with an emergency room, is just 3.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A poverty rate of 19.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Hopkins County, KY is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 77/100
- Median home price
- $129k
- Property tax
- 0.82%
- Growing season
- 200 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.2"
- Broadband
- 94.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Baptist Health Madisonville, 3.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Hopkins County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Hopkins County?
- Hopkins County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 200-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.1°F, and average winter lows of 28°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $129,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.82%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Baptist Health Madisonville is 3.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Kentucky Resources
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LandWatch
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Kentucky
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The closest counties to Hopkins County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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