CountyScore

Anderson County

Tennessee · TN

#75 in Tennessee
67.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Anderson County, Tennessee

Anderson scores well above U.S. median

Anderson County's composite score of 73.8 sits nearly 48% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of counties nationwide. This strong performance reflects a county that offers meaningful advantages for residents compared to typical American communities.

Slightly below Tennessee's average

Anderson ranks just below Tennessee's state average composite score of 76.3, placing it in the middle-to-upper range among the state's counties. While not the top performer in Tennessee, the county still delivers livability above most U.S. peers.

Tax-friendly with affordable housing

Anderson County excels in tax efficiency with a score of 84.9 and an effective tax rate of just 0.618%, paired with an affordable cost score of 77.7. Median rents of $960/month and home values around $215,800 make this county accessible for families and individuals seeking financial breathing room.

Income levels lag behind state peers

Anderson's income score of 24.6 reflects a median household income of $63,171, notably lower than some wealthier Tennessee counties. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality are not yet available, limiting a complete assessment of overall livability.

Best for budget-conscious households

Anderson County suits families and individuals prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high incomes or urban amenities. The county offers solid livability fundamentals for those seeking financial stability in a mid-range Tennessee community.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax84.9Cost77.7SafetyComing SoonHealth65.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.6Risk26.8WaterComing Soon
🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Anderson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

White County
Arkansas
67.8
Median income: $53,435
Jeff Davis County
Georgia
67.8
Median income: $40,879
Kalawao County
Hawaii
67.8
Median income: $86,250
Mercer County
Illinois
67.8
Median income: $71,710
Chautauqua County
Kansas
67.8
Median income: $54,592

Deep Dives

Anderson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Anderson County

via TaxByCounty

Anderson's taxes beat the national average

Anderson County's effective tax rate of 0.618% sits well below the national median effective rate of around 0.85%, putting homeowners ahead of most U.S. counties. At a median property tax of $1,333 annually, Anderson residents pay roughly half what the national median of $2,690 would suggest for comparable homes.

Above average for Tennessee

Anderson County's 0.618% effective rate ranks it above Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, placing it in the middle-upper tier of the state's 95 counties. The median tax bill of $1,333 exceeds the state average of $1,016 by about 31%.

Higher than similar East Tennessee counties

Anderson County taxes outpace nearby Blount County (0.503%) and Bradley County (0.509%) by roughly 2 percentage points. While more expensive than rural Benton County (0.581%), Anderson reflects a more developed regional tax base.

Median home costs about $1,333 yearly

A typical Anderson County home valued at $215,800 generates an annual property tax of approximately $1,333. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $1,356, while those without mortgages pay about $1,294.

You may be overassessed

Many Anderson County homeowners discover their properties are assessed above fair market value, creating opportunities for tax appeals. If your home has declined in value or you believe your assessment is inflated, filing an appeal could lower your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Anderson County

via CostByCounty

Anderson rents slightly above US average

Anderson County residents spend 18.2% of their income on rent, edging out the national median of roughly 17%. At a median household income of $63,171—about 15% below the national average of $74,755—renters here face steeper affordability pressure than typical American households.

Middle of the pack statewide

Anderson's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% ranks slightly above Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, placing it in the moderate affordability zone among the state's counties. The $960 median rent here also exceeds the state average of $860 by about 12%.

Pricier than Campbell, easier than Blount

Anderson's median rent of $960 sits between nearby Campbell County ($715) and Blount County ($1,042), reflecting its position as a mid-tier housing market in East Tennessee. Homebuyers face similar pressure: Anderson's median home value of $215,800 falls below Blount County's $275,700 but exceeds Campbell's $169,500.

Rent claims more than homeownership

At $960 monthly, rent consumes 18.2% of Anderson income, while mortgage costs average $878—a pattern reflecting cheaper homeownership. For renters earning the county median, housing accounts for nearly one in five dollars.

Consider your tenure before deciding

If you're a renter, explore Campbell County's lower $715 median rent before committing to Anderson's $960. Prospective homebuyers may find better value in Campbell ($169,500 median home) while still staying close to comparable income levels across the region.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Anderson County

via IncomeByCounty

Anderson slightly below the national mark

Anderson County's median household income of $63,171 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 15%. This places Anderson in the lower-middle range nationally, earning roughly $11,600 less than the typical American household.

Above average for Tennessee

Anderson County ranks solidly above Tennessee's state median of $58,994, earning 7% more than the typical Volunteer State household. The county's per capita income of $35,460 also exceeds the state average of $31,458 by 13%.

Middle ground in East Tennessee

Anderson sits between its neighbors: Bradley County ($63,789) edges it out slightly, while Campbell County ($50,260) and Benton County ($50,435) lag substantially behind. Anderson's $63,171 reflects steady industrial and service-sector employment typical of the Oak Ridge region.

Housing costs align with income

Anderson's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% is healthy and within the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend less than one-fifth of income on housing. With a median home value of $215,800, homeownership remains accessible for households earning the county median.

Build security with steady planning

Anderson households earning $63,171 have room to invest after covering basic expenses and housing costs. Consider automating savings into retirement accounts and exploring employer benefits—small, consistent contributions compound into meaningful wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Anderson County

via HealthByCounty

Anderson's life expectancy edges ahead

At 72.6 years, Anderson County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 71.4 years—a modest but meaningful advantage. The county's 18.3% poor/fair health rate is also better than the national average of 21%, suggesting residents report better day-to-day health compared to most Americans.

Anderson leads Tennessee on longevity

Anderson's 72.6-year life expectancy ranks above Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years, placing it in the healthier half of the state's 95 counties. With an uninsured rate of 10.8%, the county also beats the state average of 11.9%, meaning more residents have health coverage than most Tennesseans.

Anderson outpaces regional peers

Among its neighbors, Anderson's life expectancy of 72.6 years exceeds both Campbell County (68.6 years) and Cannon County (71.3 years), reflecting stronger overall health outcomes in the region. The county also offers better provider access, with 50 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents compared to Campbell's 35.

Good access, though gaps remain

Anderson has one of the stronger provider networks in its region, with 50 primary care providers and 118 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. However, 1 in 10 residents still lack health insurance, meaning thousands of Anderson County residents skip preventive care due to cost concerns.

Check your coverage options today

Even with Anderson's relatively low uninsured rate, 10.8% of residents remain without coverage. If you're one of them, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Marketplace plans, Medicaid, or employer options available in your county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Anderson County

via RiskByCounty

Anderson County's Risk in National Context

Anderson County scores 73.19 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating—below the national average of 75. While this places the county in safer territory nationally, residents still face meaningful exposure to several hazard types that warrant preparation.

How Anderson Ranks Among Tennessee Counties

Anderson County's 73.19 score sits well above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, making it one of the state's higher-risk counties. The county ranks above the median for tornado and earthquake exposure across Tennessee.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Anderson County faces similar risk profiles to Blount County (74.17) and Bradley County (73.41), all three sharing elevated earthquake and tornado exposure. Unlike nearby Campbell County (58.02), which has lower overall risk, Anderson's eastern location brings higher seismic and flood hazards.

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Earthquakes (87.79) and tornadoes (79.99) represent Anderson County's primary hazards, with flood risk also notable at 77.70. The county's proximity to fault lines and position in Tennessee's tornado corridor create overlapping spring and year-round vulnerability.

Protect Your Home in Anderson County

Anderson County residents should prioritize earthquake and tornado insurance, with particular attention to securing permanent structures and reinforcing foundations. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude earthquake damage, making separate coverage essential for this high-risk county.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.