CountyScore

Blount County

Tennessee · TN

#67 in Tennessee
68.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Blount County, Tennessee

Blount ranks comfortably above U.S. median

Blount County's composite score of 74.4 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by nearly 49%, confirming strong livability compared to typical U.S. counties. This upper-tier performance reflects balanced strengths across multiple dimensions.

Slightly below Tennessee's average

Blount's score of 74.4 trails Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by a small margin, placing it in the middle tier statewide. Despite this positioning, Blount remains well-positioned compared to the national benchmark.

Higher incomes and reasonable tax rates

Blount County stands out with an income score of 32.1 and a median household income of $74,607—the highest among these eight counties. A tax score of 88.1 and an effective rate of 0.503% provide solid tax relief alongside stronger earning potential.

Housing costs and incomplete data

Blount's cost score of 74.7 reflects higher housing expenses, with median rents at $1,042/month and home values near $275,700—pricier than most peers in this group. Safety, health, school, and water information is not yet available.

Best for higher-income families

Blount County suits employed families and professionals with above-average incomes seeking reasonable taxes alongside more substantial housing options. It balances livability with earning potential better than other counties in this group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.1Cost74.7SafetyComing SoonHealth67.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.1Risk25.8WaterComing Soon
🏛88.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25.8
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 Blount County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

DeKalb County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $51,149
Russell County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $50,046
Talladega County
Alabama
68.5
Median income: $56,249
Dodge County
Georgia
68.5
Median income: $50,152
Rice County
Kansas
68.5
Median income: $63,947

Deep Dives

Blount County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Blount County

via TaxByCounty

Blount's taxes remain well below national average

Blount County's 0.503% effective rate sits nearly 40% below the national average of around 0.85%, delivering substantial savings for homeowners. At a median tax of $1,387, residents pay roughly half the national median of $2,690 despite having comparable home values.

Slightly below Tennessee's state average

Blount County's 0.503% effective rate sits just under Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, placing it among the state's more moderate tax counties. The median tax of $1,387 runs 36% higher than the state median of $1,016 due to a higher median home value of $275,700.

Competitive with East Tennessee peers

Blount County's 0.503% rate places it near Bradley County (0.509%) and just below Anderson County (0.618%), making it middle-ground for East Tennessee. Higher home values mean Blount residents pay more in absolute dollars despite similar effective rates.

Median home costs about $1,387 yearly

A typical Blount County home valued at $275,700 generates an annual tax of approximately $1,387. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $1,435, while those without mortgages pay around $1,306.

Assessment challenges pay off in Blount

With higher home values, even small percentage reductions from successful appeals translate to meaningful savings in Blount County. If your property is assessed above current market conditions or comparable sales, filing an appeal could reduce your annual burden considerably.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Blount County

via CostByCounty

Blount matches America's income, beats affordability

Blount County's median household income of $74,607 essentially matches the national median of $74,755, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% beats the national average by roughly 0.6 percentage points. This makes Blount one of Tennessee's most balanced housing markets relative to earnings.

Easiest affordability in Tennessee

Blount's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% ranks among the lowest in the state, beating Tennessee's average of 17.6% by nearly 1 percentage point. Combined with near-national-average incomes, Blount offers genuine housing relief compared to most other counties surveyed.

Premium prices, premium incomes justify them

Blount's $1,042 median rent and $275,700 median home value are the highest in the region, reflecting a stronger economy and higher-wage jobs. Yet residents actually spend less on rent as a share of income than lower-income counties, thanks to substantially higher earnings.

Wealth creates breathing room

Blount renters spend just 16.8% of their $74,607 income on $1,042 rent, the lowest burden in this survey. Homeownership costs average $969 monthly, reinforcing that higher incomes here allow residents to afford premium housing without strain.

Gateway to East Tennessee prosperity

If job prospects align, Blount County delivers the region's best combination of income and affordable housing, despite higher absolute prices. Professionals relocating from lower-wage areas will find that Blount's wage premium more than compensates for its housing cost premium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Blount County

via IncomeByCounty

Blount virtually matches the nation

Blount County's median household income of $74,607 sits just $148 below the national median of $74,755—essentially at parity. This rare alignment makes Blount a representative American county and a rare Tennessee success story in income terms.

Tennessee's top income performer

Blount County's $74,607 median towers 26.6% above Tennessee's state average of $58,994, the highest among these eight counties. Per capita income of $38,705 also leads, running 23% above the state average and reflecting robust economic activity.

Clear economic leader in the region

Blount's $74,607 substantially outpaces Anderson ($63,171) and Bradley ($63,789), the next-highest earners in this group. The gap reflects Blount's role as an economic hub with tourism, manufacturing, and professional services anchoring higher wages.

Strong income supports housing costs

Blount's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is the lowest in this group, reflecting excellent housing affordability. With a median home value of $275,700 and robust median income, homeownership and rental housing remain accessible for typical households.

Leverage above-average earnings aggressively

Blount households earning $74,607 are positioned to maximize retirement savings, investment accounts, and wealth-building vehicles. With favorable rent ratios and national-level income, prioritizing 10–15% of gross income toward long-term investments can compound into substantial generational wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Blount County

via HealthByCounty

Blount leads the nation on health

At 74.8 years, Blount County's life expectancy is among the strongest in the nation, exceeding the U.S. average of 71.4 years by 3.4 years. With just 18% reporting poor or fair health—below the national average of 21%—Blount residents consistently report better health outcomes than most Americans.

Blount ranks among Tennessee's healthiest

Blount's 74.8-year life expectancy ranks in the top tier of Tennessee counties, well above the state average of 72.4 years. The county's 11.3% uninsured rate also edges below Tennessee's 11.9% average, meaning more residents here have health coverage than typical Tennesseans.

Blount dominates regional health metrics

Among its neighbors, Blount's 74.8-year life expectancy and 18% poor/fair health rate both lead the region, significantly outpacing Campbell County (68.6 years, 23.5% poor/fair). Blount also has the region's strongest provider network: 68 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents.

Strong providers, strong coverage

Blount County residents enjoy exceptional healthcare access: 68 primary care providers and 174 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the highest in the measured region. With 11.3% uninsured, over 88% of residents have health coverage, supporting consistent preventive care and health management.

Keep your coverage up to date

While Blount's uninsured rate is relatively low at 11.3%, nearly 1 in 10 residents still lack health insurance. If you're uninsured or considering coverage options, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans available in Blount County.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Blount County

via RiskByCounty

Blount County's Risk Above National Average

Blount County scores 74.17 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating that slightly exceeds the national average. The county's mountainous terrain drives elevated earthquake exposure (93.10), the highest in Tennessee, alongside significant flood and wildfire vulnerability.

How Blount Ranks Among Tennessee Counties

Blount County's 74.17 score significantly exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. The county's earthquake risk (93.10) stands as the highest in Tennessee, reflecting its proximity to major fault systems in the Great Smoky Mountains region.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Blount County faces comparable risk to Anderson County (73.19) and Bradley County (73.41), forming a cluster of high-risk eastern Tennessee counties. The county's mountainous position distinguishes it from lower-risk neighbors like Benton County (39.06) and Cannon County (22.90).

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Earthquakes (93.10) dominate Blount County's hazard profile—the state's highest exposure—followed by significant flood (74.01) and wildfire (69.43) risks. The county's Great Smoky Mountains location creates overlapping seismic, water, and fire vulnerabilities that require multi-layered preparedness.

Protect Your Home in Blount County

Blount County residents must prioritize earthquake insurance and structural reinforcement—a necessity given the state's highest seismic risk. Flood and wildfire insurance are equally essential; properties in mountain valleys and wildland-urban interface zones face compounded exposure requiring comprehensive coverage.

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.