Hopkins County, Kentucky

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.0 | 44,929 people · 58th most distressed in Kentucky
American Default Research

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Hopkins County, KY registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.0 — 1017th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Kentucky, it ranks 58th of 120 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hopkins County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 98.8 — worse than roughly 99% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 98.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 99
Structural Poverty 66.4
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 58
Disability Rate 99
Transfer Income Dependency 77
Consumer Credit Distress 63.2
Debt in Collections 68
Medical Debt 54
Auto Loan Delinquency 79
Credit Card Delinquency 60
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 71
Housing Cost Burden 46.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 28
Homeownership Rate 63
Economic Vitality 25.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 56
House Price Change (YoY) 25

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hopkins County
Hopkins County, KY 59.0 Elevated —
Christian County, KY 77.9 Serious +18.9
Caldwell County, KY 59.5 Elevated +0.4
Muhlenberg County, KY 57.4 Elevated -1.7
McLean County, KY 48.1 Normal -10.9
Webster County, KY 44.3 Normal -14.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hopkins County
Washington County, IN 59.0 Elevated -0.0
Saline County, IL 59.0 Elevated -0.0
Franklin County, AL 59.1 Elevated +0.0
Roosevelt County, MT 59.1 Elevated +0.0
Franklin County, KS 59.1 Elevated +0.0

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Hopkins County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Hopkins County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Hopkins County.

KENTUCKY LEGAL AID, INCORPORATED
MADISONVILLE
270-782-5740 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseRental Help

See all counselors in Kentucky →

Find an Attorney

Kentucky Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Kentucky Bar Association Lawyer Referral 502-564-3795

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Hopkins County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass 1-800-928-4615
Kentucky Legal Aid 1-866-452-9243
Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky (866) 277-5733
Legal Aid Society (502) 584-1254

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Kentucky →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Hopkins County, Kentucky?

    Hopkins County has a County Distress Index score of 59.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,017th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 58th in Kentucky out of 120 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hopkins County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hopkins County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 98.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Hopkins County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hopkins County (59.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Christian County, KY (77.9); Caldwell County, KY (59.5); Muhlenberg County, KY (57.4).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Hopkins County's score of 59.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Hopkins County's CDI score?

    Hopkins County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Hopkins County?

    Hopkins County, Kentucky has a population of approximately 44,929 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.