countyscore
46
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 80Weather & Climate 67.7

County Report Card

About Anderson County, Tennessee

Anderson County Trails the National Median

Anderson County holds a composite score of 45.1, placing it below the national median of 50.0. This score indicates that the county faces some livability hurdles compared to typical American counties.

Falling Short of the Tennessee Average

With a score of 45.1, Anderson County lags behind the Tennessee state average of 51.3. It struggles to compete with higher-performing counties in the region despite its proximity to major hubs.

Excellent Water and Manageable Tax Burdens

The county shines in infrastructure with a water score of 86.0 and a strong tax score of 72.3. Homeowners benefit from a low effective tax rate of 0.618%, keeping more money in their pockets.

Safety and Environmental Risk Concerns

Safety is a primary concern with a low score of 19.8, alongside a risk score of 26.8. Improving these areas is essential for enhancing the overall quality of life for current residents.

A Value Play with Local Infrastructure Benefits

This county suits residents who prioritize low property taxes and high water quality. While safety scores are lower than average, the median home value of $215,800 offers an entry point into the East Tennessee market.

204060801008036.319.839.557.551.826.88667.7Tax80Cost36.3Safety19.8Health39.5Schools57.5Income51.8Risk26.8Water86Weather67.746/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Anderson County DNA

Foverall

How Anderson County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Anderson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (80/100) but notably weak in Safety (19.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
80+28
Cost
36.3-11.700000000000003
Safety
19.8-35.2
Health
39.5-10.5
Schools
57.5
Income
51.8
Risk
26.8-20.2
Water
86+28
Weather
67.7+11.700000000000003
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$239,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,031/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$239,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$41,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,183/yr
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Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

20.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Warren County
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Nearby counties

Campbell County
Tennessee
51.5
Knox County
Tennessee
41.1
Union County
Tennessee
54.8
Morgan County
Tennessee
63.9
Scott County
Tennessee
58.1
Roane County
Tennessee
53.1
Loudon County
Tennessee
54.4
Blount County
Tennessee
53.7

Deep Dives

Anderson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Anderson County

via CrimeByCounty

Anderson County Beats National Crime Averages

Anderson County reports a total crime rate of 2,088.3 per 100K, which is safer than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a high safety score of 96.7.

Local Safety Trends Above State Average

While safe nationally, the county's crime rate sits slightly higher than the Tennessee state average of 1,785.6 per 100K. Seven local reporting agencies actively track and manage safety data across the region.

Comparing Safety with Regional Neighbors

Anderson reports more frequent incidents than neighboring Campbell County, where the rate is only 1,459.5 per 100K. The county manages a more active law enforcement environment than many of its rural neighbors.

Property Crime Outpaces Violent Incidents

Property crime drives the local statistics at 1,670.6 per 100K, while the violent crime rate stands at 417.7. Residents experience property-related risks more often than the national average of 2,015.7 per 100K.

Proactive Steps for Home Security

Focusing on property protection is key for Anderson County homeowners. Installing smart cameras and motion-sensor lighting helps deter the area's most common types of crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Anderson County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmer and Wetter Than the National Median

Anderson County's 58.0°F average annual temperature sits 3 degrees above the national median. This humid subtropical climate receives 57.6 inches of rain, far exceeding the typical U.S. county.

A Mirror of the Tennessee State Average

The county's 58.0°F average temperature almost perfectly matches the Tennessee state average of 58.1°F. However, it is slightly wetter than its peers, receiving nearly 2 inches more rain than the state average.

Cooler Highlands Compared to Southern Neighbors

Anderson remains cooler than nearby Bradley County by 1.6 degrees. It serves as a middle ground between the warmer Tennessee Valley and the cooler ridge lines of Campbell County to the north.

Steamy Summers and Mild Mountain Winters

July averages 76.9°F with 34 days of extreme heat reaching 90°F or higher. Winters are relatively gentle, averaging 39.6°F with a light 3.8 inches of annual snowfall.

Manage Humidity and Occasional Heat Waves

Residents should prioritize dehumidification and HVAC maintenance to handle over a month of 90-degree days. The 57.6 inches of rain also necessitates robust gutter systems and drainage planning.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Anderson County

via SoilByCounty

Anderson County’s Acidic Ultisols Profile

Anderson County sits on Ultisols, primarily characterized by a channery silty clay loam texture. The soil averages a pH of 5.23, which is more acidic than the state average of 5.35 and significantly lower than the national median of 6.5.

Balanced Texture with Silty Roots

The soil mix consists of 28.5% sand, 45.6% silt, and 21.2% clay. This specific ratio provides a workable foundation that balances drainage from the sand with the nutrient-holding capacity of the clay.

Rich Organic Matter for Garden Growth

Organic matter is a highlight here at 4.84%, nearly doubling the state average of 2.44%. While fertility is high, the available water capacity of 0.159 in/in sits slightly below the state benchmark of 0.171 in/in.

Well Drained for Diverse Land Use

These soils are classified as well drained, facilitating easy management for both farming and construction. They fall into Hydrologic Group C, indicating a moderate rate of water transmission during heavy rain.

A Productive Zone 7b Landscape

Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, the county's high organic content supports robust vegetable gardens and berry patches. Local gardeners can maximize this fertile soil by monitoring pH levels to accommodate acid-loving plants.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Anderson County

via LawnByCounty

Overcoming Anderson County's Lawn Hurdles

Anderson County earns a 45.2 lawn difficulty score, making it more challenging to maintain than the national average of 50.0. While it sits just below the state average of 48.0, homeowners in this Zone 7b region must work harder to achieve a lush green space.

Managing High Moisture and Summer Growth

Annual precipitation of 57.6 inches exceeds the ideal range, while 34 extreme heat days stress sensitive grass varieties. With 4,275 growing degree days, the climate supports rapid growth that requires a frequent and consistent mowing schedule.

Neutralizing Acidic Channery Clay Loam

The soil is significantly acidic with a pH of 5.23, falling well below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for turfgrass. This well-drained channery silty clay loam requires regular lime applications to help your lawn absorb essential nutrients effectively.

Building Deep Roots for Dry Spells

The county has experienced 16 weeks in drought over the past year and currently remains 100% abnormally dry. Practicing deep, infrequent watering early in the morning helps build the root resilience needed to survive these frequent dry periods.

Start Growing Between the Frosts

Tall fescue and Bermuda grass are excellent choices for this climate once the last frost passes around April 5th. Aim to seed or sod in early spring or fall to ensure your lawn is established before the first frost on November 1st.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Anderson County's county score?
Anderson County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 46 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Anderson County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Anderson County ranks #74 among all counties in Tennessee on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Anderson County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Anderson County is $1,289, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Anderson County a tax score of 80/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Anderson County?
The median household income in Anderson County, Tennessee is $66,183 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Anderson County earns an income score of 51.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Anderson County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Anderson County scores 46/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #74 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Anderson County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Anderson County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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