Christian County was formed on March 1, 1797, carved from Logan County and named for Colonel William Christian (1743–1786), a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia who settled near Louisville in 1785 and was killed by Native Americans in southern Indiana in 1786. The county seat, Hopkinsville, was founded on land donated by Revolutionary War veteran Bartholomew Wood in 1797 and named for Samuel Hopkins, a militia general. With a 2020 census population of 72,748, Christian County is one of western Kentucky’s most populous counties. It is part of the Clarksville, Tennessee–Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county sits in the Pennyroyal region of southwestern Kentucky, covers 724 square miles, and borders Tennessee to the south. Fort Campbell, straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee state line, is Christian County’s dominant economic anchor, housing the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and its associated support structures. In 1838, thousands of Cherokee passed through Hopkinsville on the Trail of Tears; two Cherokee chiefs died and were buried here. In 1955, a farm family near the tiny community of Kelly experienced one of the most famous and thoroughly documented UFO encounters in American history.
Christian County’s rental market is fundamentally shaped by Fort Campbell. Military families on permanent change of station (PCS) orders create a high-velocity, mobile rental market in Hopkinsville, Oak Grove (which sits directly on the Fort Campbell gate), and surrounding communities. Fort Campbell’s 2020s housing shortage has driven median sale prices up dramatically since 2014. Notable former residents include Vice President Adlai Stevenson I (born 1835), psychic Edgar Cayce, feminist scholar bell hooks, and the county was the 2017 solar eclipse’s point of greatest eclipse in North America. All evictions are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Christian County Justice Center in Hopkinsville. Kentucky’s HB128 (2023) governs all residential leases made on or after its effective date.
🛸 Kelly-Hopkinsville UFO Encounter (1955) — On August 21–22, 1955, a farmstead near Kelly was the scene of what became one of the most extensively investigated and widely cited UFO encounters in history; the Sutton family reported multiple extraterrestrial beings over several hours, and the case was investigated by the U.S. Army from Fort Campbell; it remains one of the canonical cases in UFO literature |
☀️ 2017 Total Solar Eclipse — Point of Greatest Coverage — On August 21, 2017, the total solar eclipse that crossed North America reached its point of greatest eclipse in northwestern Christian County, near the Bainbridge/Sinking Fork area; Hopkinsville became the world’s solar eclipse capital that day, drawing an estimated 100,000+ visitors |
🪖 Fort Campbell & the 101st Airborne Division — Fort Campbell, straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee state line just south of Hopkinsville, is home to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and is one of the largest U.S. Army installations; it is Christian County’s dominant employer and the primary driver of the rental market |
🌿 Bell Hooks, Edgar Cayce & Adlai Stevenson I — Christian County was home to bell hooks (1952–2021), the groundbreaking feminist scholar and author born in Hopkinsville; Edgar Cayce (1877–1945), the “Sleeping Prophet” born in Hopkinsville; and Vice President Adlai Stevenson I, born in Christian County in 1835
📊 Quick Stats
County Seat
Hopkinsville (~31,180 in 2020)
Other Communities
Oak Grove (Fort Campbell gate), Pembroke, Crofton, Elkton road, Kelly, Fairview, Gracey
Population
72,748 (2020 census); est. 78,459 current
MSA
Clarksville, Tennessee–Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area
Major Employers
Fort Campbell / 101st Airborne Division (dominant), Western State Hospital, Hopkinsville Community College, manufacturing (automotive parts, chemicals, plastics), dark-fired tobacco, nine Japanese companies, county government, healthcare
SCRA Warning
Fort Campbell is active military — SCRA applies to all active duty tenants
Eviction Court
District Court — Christian County Justice Center
Circuit Court Clerk
Paige Parker — (270) 889-6539 / (270) 889-6592
Justice Center Address
Christian County Justice Center, 100 Justice Way, Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Fax & Access
Fax: (270) 889-6564 • Completely accessible • Large lot at building + overflow at jail
Payment
Cash, money order, credit/debit (fee) ONLY • Personal checks NOT accepted (driver’s licensing only) • ePay online
Rent Control
None — Kentucky preempts local rent control
Governing Law
KRS Chapter 383 / HB128 (2023) for leases on or after effective date
⚡ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
Lease Violation
14-Day Notice to Cure; termination no sooner than 30 days
Month-to-Month Term.
1 Month’s Written Notice
Week-to-Week Term.
5-Day Written Notice
Eviction Filing
Forcible Detainer — District Court
SCRA Note
Active duty military tenants: SCRA protections apply — consult attorney before adverse action
Eviction Timeline
3–6 weeks typical after notice period
Security Deposit Cap
2× monthly rent (plus 1st month’s rent & fees)
Deposit Return
30 days with itemized deductions
Deposit Penalty
$250 or 2× amount withheld, whichever greater
Habitability Duty
Nonwaivable (KRS 383.595 / HB128)
Statute
KRS Chapter 383 — HB128 (2023 Session)
Christian County Local Rules & Landlord Procedures
Topic
Rule / Notes
Filing Evictions — Where & Who
All evictions (Forcible Detainer actions) in Christian County are filed in District Court at the Christian County Justice Center, 100 Justice Way, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. Circuit Court Clerk: Paige Parker — Phone: (270) 889-6539 or (270) 889-6592 — Fax: (270) 889-6564. Payment: cash, money order, credit card, or debit card (fee applies) ONLY. Personal checks are NOT accepted for filings (accepted in driver’s licensing only). ePay available online. The Justice Center is completely accessible; large parking lot at the building with overflow at the jail. Office hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fort Campbell & SCRA — Critical Note
Fort Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division means a large percentage of Christian County’s rental tenants are active duty servicemembers or their dependents. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides significant federal protections to active duty military tenants that override or modify many standard eviction and lease termination procedures, including: (1) the right to terminate a lease early upon deployment orders or PCS orders with 30 days’ notice after next rent payment; (2) protections against eviction for nonpayment of rent under $4,036.67/month (2024 threshold, adjusted annually); (3) interest rate caps; (4) protections against default judgments. Before taking any adverse action against a tenant who may be active duty military, verify their status at the SCRA website (scra.dmdc.osd.mil) and consult a Kentucky attorney familiar with SCRA. Violations of SCRA carry significant civil and criminal penalties.
Nonpayment of Rent — Notice
Under HB128 (KRS 383.660), serve the tenant a 14-day written notice to pay or vacate stating the specific termination date. Retain dated, verifiable proof of service. If the tenant pays in full within 14 days, the lease continues. This doubled the prior 7-day requirement. For tenants who are active duty military, confirm SCRA status before proceeding with any eviction action for nonpayment.
Lease Violation — Notice & Cure
For non-rent violations, serve a 14-day written notice to cure or quit specifying the exact breach. If remedied within 14 days, the lease continues. If not, termination on a date no sooner than 30 days from original notice. Repeat violations within 6 months, imminent health/safety threats, or criminal acts may allow faster termination — consult a Kentucky attorney.
Month-to-Month Termination
One full month’s written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (KRS 383.695). Week-to-week: at least 5 days’ written notice. Note: Active duty military tenants may terminate a lease early under the SCRA with 30 days’ written notice following receipt of deployment or PCS orders; this operates independently of HB128’s notice requirements.
Security Deposit
Capped at 2× monthly rent (not including first month’s rent or fees). Must be held in a dedicated, separately titled bank account. Return within 30 days with itemized written deductions. Penalty: $250 or 2× the withheld amount, whichever is greater, plus the amount owed. In Christian County’s market, where rents range from roughly $850 to $1,500+, deposit exposure at the 2x cap is significant. Comply with the 30-day deadline without exception.
Habitability — Nonwaivable Duty
HB128 imposes a nonwaivable habitability duty across 13 categories: building code compliance, weatherproofing, plumbing, water supply, heating and ventilation, electrical systems, pest and hazardous substance control (radon, lead, asbestos, mold), clean common areas, trash receptacles, floors/walls/windows in good repair, landlord-supplied appliances, exterior door and window locks, and required safety equipment. Respond to written maintenance notices within 14 days (5 days for essential services).
Landlord Entry — Notice
Standard entry: 24 hours’ advance notice, reasonable time. Routine maintenance or pest control: 72 hours’ notice or a fixed schedule provided at least 72 hours before the first entry. Emergency: reasonable notice. Leave conspicuous written notice if tenant is absent.
Military Tenant Screening
Military E-1 through E-4 personnel may have lower base pay that doesn’t meet standard income ratios; however, military pay is the most reliable income stream in the rental market — it is guaranteed, never delayed, and includes housing allowance (BAH) for those living off-post. When evaluating a servicemember’s income, include Base Pay, BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), and BAS (Basic Allowance for Subsistence) in gross income; these are all verifiable through a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES). Apply your income ratio to total military compensation. Do not treat military applicants differently from civilian applicants based on rank, deployment risk, or service branch — apply your criteria consistently.
High Tenant Turnover — PCS Market
The Fort Campbell market is characterized by frequent Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves — servicemembers typically receive PCS orders every 2–3 years. This creates both consistent rental demand and high turnover. Budget for vacancy, cleaning, and re-leasing costs on a 2-year cycle. Shorter lease terms (12 months vs. 24 months) are often more practical in this market. The SCRA’s early termination provision means servicemembers may legally break leases with proper notice; this is a known market feature, not a loophole.
Dark-Fired Tobacco & Agricultural Workforce
Christian County is a dark-fired tobacco growing area — one of few regions in the world where this variety is produced. Agricultural workers with seasonal income should be evaluated using two years of tax returns and bank statements; calculate an annualized monthly average and apply your income ratio consistently.
Rent Control
None. Kentucky does not permit local rent control. Landlords may raise rent freely at lease renewal. No special military housing controls apply to off-post rentals.
Self-Help Eviction
Expressly prohibited (KRS 383.690). Lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of tenant belongings expose the landlord to 3× periodic rent or 3× actual damages, whichever is greater. In a market with $1,000+ monthly rents, that exposure is substantial. File a Forcible Detainer at the Justice Center.
Kentucky URLTA applies ONLY in specific adopting counties (including Jefferson/Louisville, Fayette/Lexington, and ~20 others). Non-URLTA counties use common law forcible detainer (KRS §383.200-383.285), which may have different procedures. The 7-day nonpayment notice under §383.660(2) requires payment of the FULL amount owed - accepting partial payment may restart the notice period. Tenant can cure by paying within the 7-day period. If the same nonpayment recurs within 6 months, landlord can issue 14-day unconditional quit. Late fees: no statutory cap, but Hemlane and others report 10% industry standard. Security deposit max: 1 month per KRS §383.580(1).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court. Pay the filing fee (~$75).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Kentucky eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Kentucky attorney or local legal aid organization.
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Underground Landlord
🏘️ Communities & Screening Tips
Key communities: Hopkinsville (county seat, ~31,180), Oak Grove (Fort Campbell gate), Pembroke, Crofton, Kelly, Fairview, Gracey.
Critical notes: Justice Center, 100 Justice Way, Hopkinsville. Clerk Paige Parker, (270) 889-6539. No personal checks — cash, money order, or card only.SCRA applies to all active duty military tenants. Verify military status at scra.dmdc.osd.mil before adverse action. Include BAH+BAS in military income. PCS market: budget for 2-year turnover.
Background checks, eviction history, credit reports — get the full picture before handing over the keys.
Fort Campbell, the Eclipse, and the SCRA: Christian County Kentucky Landlord Law
On August 21, 2017, the total solar eclipse that swept across North America reached its point of greatest eclipse in northwestern Christian County, Kentucky. Hopkinsville had prepared for years, branded itself the “Eclipse Crossroads of America,” and received an estimated 100,000 visitors for what may have been its most remarkable single day in the 21st century. Sixty-two years earlier, in August 1955, a farmstead near the tiny community of Kelly was the scene of one of the most documented UFO encounters in American history — the Kelly-Hopkinsville incident, investigated by U.S. Army personnel from the neighboring installation. That installation, Fort Campbell, home to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), has been Christian County’s defining economic force since 1942. For landlords in Christian County, Fort Campbell means one thing above all else: the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and you need to know it before you hand over keys.
The SCRA: What Every Fort Campbell Area Landlord Must Understand
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal law that provides active duty military servicemembers significant protections in civil legal matters, including residential tenancies. In the Fort Campbell market, where a substantial portion of your tenants at any time are active duty servicemembers or their dependents, SCRA awareness is not optional — it is a fundamental operating requirement. The most important SCRA provisions for Christian County landlords are: (1) Early lease termination: An active duty servicemember who receives deployment orders or a permanent change of station (PCS) to a new location may terminate a residential lease by providing 30 days’ written notice after the next rent payment comes due, along with a copy of the military orders. This right cannot be waived in a lease and applies even to fixed-term leases with years remaining. (2) Eviction protections: An active duty servicemember whose monthly rent is below a threshold adjusted annually ($4,036.67 in 2024) cannot be evicted for nonpayment without a court order, and the court may stay the proceedings. (3) Default judgment: If you pursue an eviction against a servicemember in default, you must file an affidavit confirming whether the defendant is on active duty; failure to do so can result in penalties. Before taking any adverse action against a tenant who may be active duty military, verify their current status at the SCRA website (scra.dmdc.osd.mil) and consult a Kentucky attorney familiar with military housing law. Violations of the SCRA carry civil and criminal penalties.
Screening Military Tenants: BAH, LES, and Income Verification
Military income is uniquely reliable — it is guaranteed by the federal government, never delayed, and directly deposited. When evaluating a servicemember’s ability to pay rent, include all components of military compensation in gross income: Base Pay (the primary taxable component), Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH, which scales with rank and dependency status and is specifically designed to cover off-post housing costs), and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). All three are verifiable through the servicemember’s Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), which can be provided in digital form. For an E-5 with dependents stationed at Fort Campbell in 2026, the combined Base Pay, BAH, and BAS may total $4,000–$5,000+ per month — well above the threshold for most Hopkinsville-area rental units. Apply your standard income ratio to total military compensation, and do not reject military applicants based on rank, unit designation, deployment risk, or service branch.
Filing at the Justice Center: No Personal Checks
Evictions in Christian County are Forcible Detainer actions filed in District Court at the Christian County Justice Center, 100 Justice Way, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. Circuit Court Clerk Paige Parker handles filings at (270) 889-6539 — fax (270) 889-6564. Payment at the clerk’s office is accepted by cash, money order, credit card, and debit card (fee applies) only — personal checks are not accepted for court filings. ePay is available online. The Justice Center is fully accessible with a large parking lot and overflow parking at the jail. The 14-day nonpayment notice must fully expire before you file; for lease violations, the 14-day cure / 30-day termination timeline applies.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The SCRA provides federal protections to active duty military tenants that are separate from and in addition to HB128; consult a Kentucky attorney familiar with military housing law before taking adverse action against any active duty servicemember. HB128 applies to leases made on or after its effective date; prior Kentucky law governs older leases. Apply all Fair Housing protections consistently. Last updated: March 2026.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Kentucky’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (HB128) applies to leases made on or after its effective date; prior law governs older leases. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides additional federal protections to active duty military tenants; consult a Kentucky attorney familiar with military housing law before taking adverse action against any active duty servicemember. Apply all Fair Housing protections consistently. Last updated: March 2026.
