Bradley County

Tennessee · TN

#72 in Tennessee
68
County Score

County Report Card

About Bradley County, Tennessee

Bradley ranks well above national median

Bradley County's composite score of 74.4 sits nearly 49% above the national median of 50.0, confirming solid livability compared to typical American counties. This strong showing reflects balanced performance across measured dimensions.

Slightly below Tennessee average

Bradley's score of 74.4 trails Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by a modest amount, positioning the county in the middle tier statewide. National comparisons paint a more favorable picture than state rankings.

Low taxes and moderate housing costs

Bradley County delivers a tax score of 88.0 with an effective rate of 0.509%, paired with a cost score of 76.5 and median rents of $959/month. Home values averaging $230,800 offer reasonable entry points for homebuyers.

Below-average income and limited data

Bradley's income score of 25.0 reflects a median household income of $63,789, modestly lower than state averages. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality is not yet available, limiting a comprehensive livability assessment.

Solid option for tax-conscious workers

Bradley County appeals to working families and individuals seeking moderate taxes and reasonable housing costs without premium incomes. It's a balanced choice for those prioritizing financial stability over rapid wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88Cost76.5SafetyComing SoonHealth64.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome25Risk26.6WaterComing Soon
🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠76.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
64.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
26.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Bradley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Bradley County

via TaxByCounty

Bradley's taxes beat national expectations

Bradley County's 0.509% effective rate falls well short of the national average of around 0.85%, and the median tax of $1,174 represents less than 44% of the national median of $2,690. This Cleveland-area county delivers below-average tax burdens despite its more developed character.

Near Tennessee's statewide average

Bradley County's 0.509% effective rate sits virtually at Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, making it representative of the typical Tennessee county. The median tax of $1,174 runs 15% above the state median of $1,016, reflecting a slightly higher median home value of $230,800.

Middle ground for Southeast Tennessee

Bradley County's 0.509% rate sits between Blount County (0.503%) to the north and Cannon County (0.479%) to the west. It represents a balanced, moderate tax approach for its region.

Median home costs about $1,174 yearly

A typical Bradley County home valued at $230,800 generates an annual tax of approximately $1,174. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more at $1,263, while those without mortgages pay about $1,020.

Appeals work for Bradley County homeowners

Many Bradley County residents discover their assessments outpace recent market conditions, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing property value shifts. Filing an assessment appeal takes minimal effort and could yield meaningful annual savings.

Cost of Living in Bradley County

via CostByCounty

Bradley slightly underperforms on affordability

Bradley County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% edges above the national median, with a median household income of $63,789 trailing the US average of $74,755 by 15%. Renters here face moderately elevated affordability pressure compared to typical American households.

Slightly above Tennessee average burden

Bradley's 18.0% rent-to-income ratio ranks slightly above Tennessee's 17.6% state average, placing it in the mid-range of county affordability. The $959 median rent also exceeds the state average of $860, signaling a tighter market than many rural peers.

Similar to Anderson, cheaper than Blount

Bradley's $959 median rent is nearly identical to Anderson County ($960) and substantially lower than Blount County ($1,042), while the $230,800 median home value falls between these two counties. This positions Bradley as a stable mid-market alternative in the region.

Rent and mortgage costs nearly equal

Bradley renters spend 18.0% of their $63,789 income on $959 rent, while homeowners average $953—showing nearly parity between tenure costs. This suggests a market where both renting and buying carry comparable affordability challenges.

Steady mid-market option for region explorers

Bradley offers stable, middle-ground housing costs without the premium prices of Blount or the rural constraints of Benton. Those seeking a reliable East Tennessee community with moderate affordability should seriously evaluate Bradley alongside neighboring Anderson County.

Income & Jobs in Bradley County

via IncomeByCounty

Bradley trails national income modestly

Bradley County's median household income of $63,789 falls 14.7% below the national median of $74,755, a gap of $10,966. The county reflects mid-range American economic performance, neither dramatically above nor below the national norm.

Among Tennessee's stronger performers

Bradley County ranks second-highest in this group with $63,789, exceeding the state median of $58,994 by 8.1%. Per capita income of $32,249 also surpasses the state average of $31,458, indicating healthy income distribution across the population.

Strong showing in the region

Bradley's $63,789 ranks just below Anderson ($63,171) and substantially ahead of Campbell ($50,260) and Benton ($50,435). The county's economic diversity, including healthcare and manufacturing sectors, supports higher median earnings than many rural peers.

Comfortable housing affordability

Bradley's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% is well within healthy ranges, and median home values of $230,800 align logically with the county's income level. Households here can afford both renting and homeownership without financial strain.

Build wealth through disciplined investing

Bradley households earning $63,789 should allocate 15–20% of income toward retirement and investment accounts to solidify long-term security. With reasonable housing costs, the county's earners have meaningful opportunity to build generational wealth through consistent savings.

Health in Bradley County

via HealthByCounty

Bradley outperforms national health norms

At 73.8 years, Bradley County's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 71.4 years by 2.4 years, reflecting relatively strong longevity. The county's 19.7% poor/fair health rate is also below the national average of 21%, suggesting residents report better day-to-day wellbeing than most Americans.

Bradley ranks in Tennessee's healthy tier

Bradley's 73.8-year life expectancy exceeds Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years, placing it in the healthier portion of the state's 95 counties. The 11.2% uninsured rate also beats the state average of 11.9%, meaning slightly more residents have health coverage than typical Tennesseans.

Bradley mirrors Blount's strong performance

Bradley's health metrics rank favorably against neighbors: its 73.8-year life expectancy trails only Blount's 74.8 years, and its 19.7% poor/fair health rate is similar to Anderson's 18.3%. The county offers solid provider access with 48 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents.

Well-resourced healthcare system

Bradley County provides good healthcare access, with 48 primary care providers and 152 mental health providers per 100,000 residents supporting residents' medical and mental health needs. At 11.2% uninsured, nearly 9 in 10 residents have health coverage, facilitating regular doctor visits and preventive care.

Confirm your health coverage status

While Bradley has above-average coverage rates, 11.2% of residents still lack health insurance—thousands of people vulnerable to unexpected medical costs. Visit healthcare.gov or TNCover.org to review your options and ensure you have continuous coverage throughout the year.

Disaster Risk in Bradley County

via RiskByCounty

Bradley County's Risk Profile Nationally

Bradley County scores 73.41 on composite natural disaster risk, earning a Relatively Low rating that matches the national average. The county's hazard profile reflects significant earthquake (91.86) and tornado (88.42) exposure, both among Tennessee's highest.

How Bradley Ranks Among Tennessee Counties

Bradley County's 73.41 score substantially exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the state's top-risk tier. The county's tornado (88.42) and earthquake (91.86) exposure ranks among Tennessee's highest, creating dual major hazards.

Comparing Risk to Neighbors

Bradley County faces similar risk to Blount County (74.17) and Anderson County (73.19), creating an eastern Tennessee corridor of elevated hazard exposure. The county's tornado risk (88.42) exceeds most neighbors, distinguishing it as particularly vulnerable to spring severe weather.

Your Biggest Natural Disaster Risks

Tornadoes (88.42) and earthquakes (91.86) represent Bradley County's twin catastrophic hazards, with moderate flood (69.05) and wildfire (47.20) exposure. The county's southeastern location creates vulnerability to multiple seasonal and structural hazards requiring year-round preparedness.

Protect Your Home in Bradley County

Bradley County homeowners should invest in safe room construction and earthquake-resistant retrofitting, given the county's dual top-tier hazards. Comprehensive homeowners insurance covering tornado and earthquake damage is essential, with particular attention to securing coverage for properties in known tornado alleys.

ByCounty Network

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