RANK #720 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 19 KY · POP 111,942
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Elizabethtown, the county seat, serves as a central hub in Hardin County, Kentucky, located about 44 miles south of Louisville. This area, part of the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox Metropolitan Statistical Area, offers a blend of historical sites and modern amenities. Residents experience a relaxed pace of life with access to outdoor recreation, including hiking, fishing, and camping at places like Freeman Lake Park and Saunders Springs Nature Preserve. The community provides a small-town feel while remaining connected to larger cities via major transportation routes like Interstate 65.
Life in Hardin County often appeals to families and young professionals. The public school system is rated above average, with institutions like John Hardin High School and East Hardin Middle School noted for their performance. The local economy is influenced by Fort Knox, a significant U.S. Army installation, and has seen recent growth in manufacturing. Major investments in energy and infrastructure are also shaping the economic landscape, contributing to job opportunities in various sectors.
Hardin County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -2.2% YoY, population +0.4%, wages +0.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 9.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
BlueOval SK Battery Park
Ford Motor Company and SK Innovation
|
$5,800M | Under Construction |
|
CPV Stonecrop Solar
Competitive Power Ventures (CPV)
|
$143M | In Development |
|
Telesto Solar Project
Lightsource bp
|
$140M | Proposed |
|
Stonefield Solar Project
Candela Renewables (Stonefield Solar, LLC)
|
$120M | Planned |
|
Rhudes Creek Solar Project
ibV Energy Partners
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Glendale KY Highway 222/Interstate 65 Interchange Improvement
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 27/100, Hardin County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $67,647 combined with job growth of -0.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Hardin County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $225,800 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $971/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Hardin County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs -0.4%. Home values shifted -2.2% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.0% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Hardin County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.