Real Estate Investing in Hardinsburg, Kentucky (40144)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Breckinridge County • Population: 1,740 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 40144 (Hardinsburg, KY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (50/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • High vacancy: 22.4% of homes vacant — above national norms.
  • Elevated poverty: 54.9% poverty rate — can affect rent collection.
  • Lower household income: $28,889 median — tenant affordability is tighter.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Hardinsburg, KY (40144)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $191,569
Avg Monthly Rent $846
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $28,889
% Renters 0.0%

Market Analysis: 40144 Hardinsburg

This part of Breckinridge County is not an easy win. The 40144 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Distressed markets are won on execution, not on spreadsheets. ZIP 40144 reports the profile where tenant screening, deferred maintenance, and local relationships determine the outcome.

Regionally, 40144 sits on the difficult end of the KY spectrum. The an appealing option for read — for disciplined operators — is that pricing reflects the difficulty.

Who lives in 40144 is part of why the ZIP is priced as it is. The demographic profile requires hands-on management, tight screening, and local knowledge.

Strategy in 40144 is an operator game, not a passive one. On the rental side, entry prices of $192K are inviting, the management lift is real and non-optional.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Hardinsburg:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 60/100
Affordability
5/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
7/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 6.6× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+8.7%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $846/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
🏠

Property Strategy for 40144

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.9% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+9.3% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
3BR
$66,973/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $137,136 $940 4.9% +9.3% $68,568
3BR $200,919 $1,300 4.7% +7.9% $66,973

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$201K$173K$146K$118K$90K$62KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 40144 Compare?

Metric 40144 Hardinsburg Kentucky
Home Value $191,569 $189,678 $225,788
5-Year CAGR 7.6% 7.4% 6.9%
Avg Rent $846 $815 -
Cap Rate 3.4% 3.3% -
💡 Why Invest in 40144? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 40144 (Hardinsburg, KY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
3.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.6%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $191,569
Monthly Rent $846
Price-to-Rent 18.9:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 5.3%
Cap Rate 3.4%
5-Year IRR 11.0%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +8.7% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.7% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.6% ▲
10-Year CAGR +8.5% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 3.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (3.4%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
22.4%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
5.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.6%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 40144

Population: 1,740

💰 Median Household Income
$28,889
This area
$28,889
State
$55,541
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
0.0%
This area
0.0%
State
23.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
4.2%
This area
4.2%
State
-16.4%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
16.1%
This area
16.1%
State
-4.1%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
52.3 years
This area
52.3 years
State
4.8 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
22.4%
This area
22.4%
State
16.9%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 97.7%
Other/Mixed 2.3%
👶 Under 18
10.6%
This area
10.6%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
35.5%
This area
35.5%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
54.9%
This area
54.9%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 40144

B Avg School Grade
3 Schools
17.5:1 Avg Class Size
$16,030 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Breckinridge County Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
520 Students
👨‍🏫
14.9:1 Class Size
💰
$16,030 Per Student
B Good

Breckinridge County High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
882 Students
👨‍🏫
20.1:1 Class Size
💰
$16,030 Per Student
C Below Average

Breckinridge County Area Technology Ctr

📚 08 – 12 High School Limited Data
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How strong are rents in Hardinsburg, KY?

The typical rental in Hardinsburg, KY commands about $846/mo monthly. That rent profile measured cash flow against the $192K purchase basis.

What is the typical renter like in Hardinsburg, KY?

Hardinsburg, KY offers a consistent renter base at the $846/mo rent level. Tenant turnover is reasonable for well-managed properties.

How much does a house cost in Hardinsburg, KY?

In Hardinsburg, KY the median home value sits at $192K. Against the broader KY market, that reads as reasonable for most investors.

What investment strategy works best in Hardinsburg, KY?

In Hardinsburg, KY the durable play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $192K prices and $846/mo rents suits that approach.

How do landlord-tenant laws work in Hardinsburg, KY?

KY ranks as a landlord-friendly state for landlord-tenant law. Hardinsburg generally follows the statewide framework, so landlords face reasonable operating rules.

You know 40144 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 40144 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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