countyscore
60.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Property Tax 82.2Cost of Living 75.7

County Report Card

About Chester County, Tennessee

Outperforming the National Median

Chester County achieves a composite score of 61.2, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. It ranks as a highly competitive location on the national stage.

A State Leader in Livability

With a score of 61.2, Chester County significantly outperforms the Tennessee state average of 51.3. It stands out as one of the stronger performers in the state's rural-to-suburban landscape.

Reliable Resources and Safety

The county performs well in water quality (86.0) and tax burden (81.7), with an effective tax rate of 0.539%. Safety is another key asset, reflected in a score of 61.3.

Health Outcomes and Opportunity

Healthcare access remains a challenge with a score of 26.2, while the income score of 40.8 shows room for economic expansion. The median household income currently sits at $60,543.

A Choice for Young Families

Chester County is an excellent fit for families seeking a balance of safety, affordable housing, and decent schools. It provides a stable environment with a high overall quality of life.

2040608010082.275.761.326.25731.855.58663.3Tax82.2Cost75.7Safety61.3Health26.2Schools57Income31.8Risk55.5Water86Weather63.360.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average2 below average

Chester County DNA

Doverall

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

Chester County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (82.2/100) but notably weak in Health (26.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
82.2+30.200000000000003
Cost
75.7+27.700000000000003
Safety
61.3
Health
26.2-23.8
Schools
57
Income
31.8-19.2
Risk
55.5+8.5
Water
86+28
Weather
63.3
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Compare mortgage rates in Chester County

Whether buying or refinancing in Chester County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$164,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$756/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$164,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,240/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,341/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

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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Nearby counties

McNairy County
Tennessee
54.5
Henderson County
Tennessee
54.9
Madison County
Tennessee
34.9
Hardeman County
Tennessee
41.2
Hardin County
Tennessee
47.1
Decatur County
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56.5
Alcorn County
Mississippi
44.1
Carroll County
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55.6

Deep Dives

Chester County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Chester County

via TaxByCounty

Chester County taxes below national average

With a 0.539% effective rate, Chester County falls below the national average and its $837 median annual tax is just 31% of the national median of $2,690. Smaller home values in this rural county contribute significantly to the low tax burden.

Slightly above Tennessee average

Chester County's 0.539% effective rate sits just above Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, placing it in the middle tier statewide. This modest premium reflects local budget needs while remaining reasonable by national standards.

Moderate tax rate regionally

Chester's 0.539% rate sits between lower-taxed neighbors like Cheatham (0.507%) and Claiborne (0.492%) and higher-taxed Carroll (0.663%). For a median home value of $155,200, it offers reasonable value compared to surrounding counties.

What Chester homeowners pay annually

On a median home value of $155,200, Chester County residents pay approximately $837 yearly in property taxes—about $70 per month. With a mortgage, escrow payments climb to $1,020, which may reflect lender impounds for insurance or other fees.

Challenge inflated assessments

Chester County homeowners should review their assessment notices carefully, as discrepancies between assessed and actual market value are common. Filing an appeal is straightforward and can result in significant annual savings if your property is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chester County

via IncomeByCounty

Chester County approaches national income standard

Chester County's median household income of $60,543 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $14,200, or 19%. The county sits slightly below the national average, typical of many mid-sized rural Tennessee counties.

Near the middle of Tennessee earners

At $60,543, Chester County's median income edges just $1,549 above Tennessee's state average of $58,994. The county ranks in the middle tier of Tennessee counties, suggesting a more balanced economic position than struggling rural peers.

Outearning most rural neighbors

Chester County's $60,543 median income substantially exceeds Carroll County ($50,391) and Claiborne County ($46,587), while matching Coffee County ($60,656). The county benefits from slightly stronger job diversity than its most rural neighbors.

Best affordability ratio in the region

Chester County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio is the lowest among its peers, meaning residents carry minimal housing cost burden relative to earnings. This affordability advantage provides breathing room for savings and emergencies compared to higher-cost counties.

Build on solid financial footing

Chester County's reasonable housing costs and moderate income create an opportunity to prioritize debt reduction and retirement saving. Direct the savings from Chester County's favorable housing ratios into tax-advantaged accounts to accelerate long-term wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Chester County

via CrimeByCounty

Chester County is Exceptionally Secure

Chester County boasts an exceptional safety score of 98.6, making it one of the most secure locations in the region. Its total crime rate of 891.2 per 100,000 is roughly one-third of the national average.

Leading Tennessee in Public Safety

With a safety score well above the state average of 97.2, Chester County represents the higher end of Tennessee public safety. The total crime rate is roughly half of the state-wide average of 1,785.6.

Outperforming Regional Neighbors

Chester outperforms neighbors like Carroll County (1,162.7) and Cheatham County (1,342.7) in overall crime metrics. This makes it a standout leader for safety and security in West Tennessee.

Minimal Incidents Across All Categories

Property crime is notably low at 626.7 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate sits at 264.5. These statistics reflect a community where major criminal incidents are relatively rare and infrequent.

Maintaining a Secure Environment

Residents can help maintain these low numbers by participating in local safety initiatives and keeping homes well-lit. Proactive home security remains an effective way to keep Chester County's statistics heading in the right direction.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Chester County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic Southern Warmth Above Median

Chester County’s 58.1°F average temperature is significantly warmer than the national median. The region experiences high moisture levels, totaling 61.8 inches of precipitation annually.

Perfectly Aligned with State Temperature

The county’s average temperature matches the Tennessee state average of 58.1°F exactly. However, it is much wetter than the state average, receiving nearly 6 additional inches of rain each year.

Wetter Conditions than West Tennessee Neighbors

Its 61.8 inches of rain makes it one of the wettest counties in the area compared to Carroll’s 55.9 inches. It shares a similar heat profile with 43 extreme heat days annually.

Steamy Summers and Mild Winters

July peaks at 77.9°F, while the summer average holds steady at 76.2°F. Winters remain relatively warm with a January average of 37.3°F and a winter mean of 39.4°F.

Manage High Moisture and Heat

Residents should focus on home drainage and mold prevention due to the 61.8 inches of annual rainfall. With 43 days of extreme heat, reliable air conditioning is essential for summer comfort.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Chester County

via SoilByCounty

Classic Southern Soil

Chester County's soil maintains an average pH of 5.28, closely mirroring the state average but falling short of the 6.5 national benchmark. Detailed taxonomic records are unavailable, but the acidity level indicates a classic Southern soil profile.

Balanced Sandy-Silt Texture

This soil contains 34.5% sand and 44.5% silt, creating a medium-textured environment that is generally easy to work. The 21.0% clay content adds enough structure to hold nutrients without becoming an impenetrable barrier to roots.

Building Organic Wealth

Organic matter is low at 1.04%, less than half of the state's 2.44% average. Fortunately, the available water capacity of 0.173 in/in is slightly higher than the Tennessee average, providing a reliable moisture reservoir for crops.

Good Movement and Infiltration

Though specific drainage classes are missing from current records, the high sand percentage usually promotes decent water movement through the profile. The overall soil score of 26.1 suggests that soil amendments will be key to maximizing productivity.

Warm Seasons in Zone 7b

In hardiness zone 7b, the warm climate supports long-season crops like cotton or peppers. Focusing on building up organic matter will help you transform this sandy-silt mix into a lush, productive garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Chester County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Difficult Growth in Chester County

Chester County presents a challenging environment with a lawn difficulty score of 38.1, one of the lower scores in the state. This Zone 7b county requires more active maintenance than the typical American yard.

Wet Climate Demands Strong Drainage

Annual precipitation of 61.8 inches is significantly higher than the national ideal of 30-50 inches. This excess water, combined with 43 extreme heat days, creates a high-humidity environment where fungal diseases can thrive.

Managing High Clay and Acidity

The soil pH of 5.28 is quite acidic, necessitating soil amendments to reach the preferred 6.0 range. A clay content of 21.0% means your yard may be prone to standing water during heavy Tennessee rains.

Preparing for Frequent Drought Spells

The county faced 19 weeks in drought over the past year, and current data shows 100% of the area is abnormally dry. Strategic irrigation is vital to help your grass survive the 4,379 growing degree days without going dormant.

Planting Around the April Frost Date

For best results in Zone 7b, select heat-tolerant varieties like Zoysia or hybrid Bermuda. Your growing season truly begins after April 10th, so aim for that window to avoid late-season frost damage.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chester County's county score?
Chester County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 60.5 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 Chester County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Chester County ranks #12 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 Chester County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Chester County is $856, with an effective tax rate of 0.52%. This earns Chester County a tax score of 82.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Chester County?
The median household income in Chester County, Tennessee is $59,341 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Chester County earns an income score of 31.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Chester County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Chester County scores 60.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Chester 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 Chester 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.