The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 40823 sells for about $89,900, or $68 per square foot.
Prices are up +5.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 142 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $633 a month.
ZIP 40823 — Cumberland
The housing market in 40823 remains characterized by low inventory and very low price points compared to national averages. Economic stagnation and a shrinking population continue to drive market conditions, resulting in limited sales activity and slow appreciation.
This ZIP is best suited for budget-conscious buyers, retirees, and those seeking an affordable, rural lifestyle with access to outdoor recreation in the Appalachian region.
Median prices moved up 5.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 142 days on market with 8.4 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 94.5% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 15.2% · poverty 42.0% — elevated distress and economic pressure.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net outflow — more people moved out than in
ZCTA 40823, Harlan County KY
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the Cumberland area are generally lower than national averages, though property crime remains the primary concern for local law enforcement.
Schools in the area are part of the Harlan County School District, which faces challenges typical of rural Appalachian districts regarding funding and student performance outcomes.
The region is prone to flash flooding due to mountainous terrain and proximity to the Poor Fork of the Cumberland River; wildfire risk is moderate.
Economic momentum is limited, with the area historically tied to the coal industry; current development is focused on small-scale infrastructure and community revitalization efforts.
Property taxes are assessed by Harlan County; the rate structure includes state, county, and school district levies, with limited exemptions available for homesteads.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents often traveling to nearby towns in Harlan County for employment; public transit options are virtually non-existent.
The area offers significant outdoor recreation, including proximity to Kingdom Come State Park, hiking trails, and fishing spots in the Appalachian mountains.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand for affordable housing, with limited new construction and a high share of long-term residents.
The local economy is transitioning away from coal mining, with healthcare, education, and government services serving as the primary employment sectors.
Transportation is heavily reliant on personal vehicles; the area is served by state highways that connect to larger regional hubs.
Development is currently focused on small-scale public infrastructure improvements and maintenance of existing housing stock.
The Harlan County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) is responsible for the assessment of all real property within the county.
Parcels are subject to Harlan County School District taxes and various local utility district assessments.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to regional flood risks and the general volatility of the Kentucky insurance market.
The state has experienced modest net domestic migration gains, though rural areas like Harlan County continue to see population decline.
Kentucky is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court action to complete the foreclosure process.
Sellers are required to provide a written disclosure form detailing the condition of the property to potential buyers.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 40823 profiles.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Kingdom Come State Park4.81.2 mi
- Kentucky Coal Mining Museum4.61.8 mi
- Portal Thirty One4.63.6 mi
- Portal 31 Coal Mine & Tour4.63.6 mi
- Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park4.713.5 mi
- Kentucky Coal Mining Museum4.61.8 mi
- Kingdom Come State Park4.81.2 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Features high-elevation vistas, hiking trails, and picnic areas.
Local community park providing recreational space and sports facilities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.