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Christian County, KY

RANK #791 / 1001 NAT  ·  #17 / 19 KY  ·  POP 72,069

1YR FORECAST: +0.4%

5YR OUTLOOK: +23%

Our model projects Christian County's housing market at +0.4% over the next year, underperforming most U.S. counties.

[01] Why Christian County?

Christian County, Kentucky, is distinguished by Hopkinsville, its county seat, which holds historical significance as a service center for agriculture and a site during the Civil War. Located in southwestern Kentucky, about 25 miles north of the Tennessee border, the county offers a blend of rural landscapes and community amenities. Outdoor recreation opportunities include Pennyrile Forest State Park for camping, hiking, and hunting, and Christian Way Farm & Mini Golf, a farm-themed attraction with animals and mini-golf. The community maintains a focus on a good quality of life and a sense of community pride. Life in Christian County is shaped by its agricultural roots and proximity to Fort Campbell, a major employer. The economy is driven by agriculture, with the county ranking among Kentucky's top producers of crops like tobacco, corn, wheat, and soybeans. Recent economic developments include state funding for infrastructure improvements at Commerce Park II, attracting industries like Cinis Fertilizer, Ascend Elements, and Kitchen Food Company. The Christian County Public School District serves the area, and Hopkinsville Community College provides higher education and technical training.

MARKET PROFILE
LEANS TOWARD

Secondary Market Surge

Christian County is one of 35 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.4% runs below the profile's typical +1.4%.

See all 35 Secondary Market Surge counties →

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
7.2x

Overvalued relative to economy

Home Prices
+0.4%

Well below national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.6

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (15x)

Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Fort Campbell Army Post Military
    25,000+
  2. 2
    Christian County Board of Education Education
    1,000+
  3. 3
    Jennie Stuart Medical Center Healthcare
    500+
  4. 4
    Wal-Mart Distribution Center Logistics
  5. 5
    T.RAD North America Manufacturing
  6. 6
    Western State Psychiatric Hospital Healthcare
  7. 7
    Metalsa Manufacturing
  8. 8
    Martinrea Manufacturing
  9. 9
    TG Automotive Sealing Kentucky Manufacturing
  10. 10
    Grupo Antolin Kentucky Inc. Manufacturing

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Christian County U.S. National

Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
72,069
-0.73% YoY
Median Household Income
$55,494
Median Home Value
$173,600
+0.42% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,040
Average Annual Pay
$56,190
+1.3% YoY
Employment
31,142
-1.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3197
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.08%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
19.6%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$270,000
Days on Market
83
Slower market
Months of Supply
4.0
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.6%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
14.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
27.3%
Building Permits (2025)
175
Single-Family Permits
113

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

D
SAFETY
GRADE
Homicide Rate
10.6
per 100K · nat avg 6.3
Firearm Fatalities
25.3
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
107.2
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
Well above national avg
based on homicide rate

Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →

[06] Air Quality

B-
AIR QUALITY
GRADE
Median AQI (3yr)
48.0
Good
Good Air Days
55%
604 of 1,095 days
Unhealthy+ Days (3yr)
5
Sensitive groups affected
Primary Pollutant
PM2.5
Fine particulate matter
Yearly Trend
2021
49
2022
48
2023
47
Median AQI · lower is better

Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →

[07] Score Breakdown

Population Growth -0.7% 3 percentile
Income Growth +2.4% 40 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.1% 37 percentile
Home Price Change +0.4% 31 percentile
Rent Growth +1.9% 33 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 78 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.

[08] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Christian County, KY a good place to move to?

At 20/100, Christian County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $55,494 combined with job growth of -1.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.

Is Christian County affordable?

Housing in Christian County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $173,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,040/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.

Is Christian County growing or shrinking?

Both population (-0.7% YoY) and employment (-1.2%) are contracting in Christian County, though housing tells its own story with values moving +0.4% over the past 12 months. This is a county where the trend lines are pointing in the wrong direction.

Are people moving to Christian County?

There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.08% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Christian County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.

[09] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Jefferson County, KY 23 Scott County, KY 25 Hardin County, KY 27 Oldham County, KY 11 Boone County, KY 30 Laurel County, KY 4 York County, VA 20 Lynchburg city, VA 20