CountyScore

Cocke County

Tennessee · TN

#73 in Tennessee
68
County Score

County Report Card

About Cocke County, Tennessee

Cocke County matches the Tennessee standard

Cocke County's composite score of 76.2 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 76th percentile nationally. This solid performance reflects competitive livability across the county's major dimensions.

At the heart of Tennessee's livability range

Cocke County's score of 76.2 essentially matches Tennessee's state average of 76.3, positioning it squarely in the middle of statewide livability rankings. This reflects a typical Tennessee county profile with balanced strengths and tradeoffs.

Low taxes and affordable housing converge

Cocke County features a tax score of 84.2 with an effective rate of 0.642% and a cost score of 85.5 reflecting median rent of $787 and median home value of $141,800. These dimensions create accessible living for budget-conscious households.

Income potential and key services need completion

Cocke County's income score of 15.0 reflects a median household income of $48,416, indicating limited high-earning opportunities within the local economy. We're still gathering safety, health, school, and water quality data for comprehensive assessment.

Well-suited for value-seeking families

Cocke County appeals to families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high local incomes—think small-town living with reasonable housing costs. Remote workers, retirees, and those with income sources outside the county will find strong economic advantage.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.2Cost85.5SafetyComing SoonHealth53.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome15Risk45.5WaterComing Soon
🏛84.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡45.5
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 Cocke County with another county →

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Calhoun County
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Early County
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Deep Dives

Cocke County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cocke County

via TaxByCounty

Cocke County taxes run high

At 0.642%, Cocke County's effective rate exceeds the national average and its $911 median annual tax sits in the upper range for smaller-home counties. This East Tennessee county has one of the higher tax burdens relative to property values nationally.

Above state average

Cocke County's 0.642% effective rate exceeds Tennessee's state average of 0.511% by more than 25%, placing it among the state's higher-taxed counties. Despite lower median home values, residents pay a premium relative to other Tennessee counties.

Second-highest rate in region

At 0.642%, Cocke County's rate ranks second only to Carroll (0.663%), making it one of the pricier counties in the group. Only nearby Cocke and Carroll dwarf their neighbors' tax rates by such margins.

What Cocke homeowners pay yearly

A median Cocke County home valued at $141,800 incurs approximately $911 in annual property taxes—about $76 per month. With a mortgage, escrow payments typically rise to $1,040.

Challenge high assessments

Cocke County homeowners should carefully review their assessment notices, as overvaluation is common in rural counties with limited comparable sales data. Filing an appeal with recent appraisals or market evidence can often result in meaningful tax reductions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cocke County

via CostByCounty

Cocke renters face tightest squeeze

Cocke County renters dedicate 19.5% of household income to rent—the second-highest ratio in our sample and well above the national average. With a median household income of $48,416 and median rent of $787, Cocke residents feel significant affordability pressure despite modest absolute rent levels.

Notably worse than Tennessee average

At 19.5%, Cocke's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Tennessee's state average of 17.6% by nearly 2 percentage points, signaling real affordability stress. The county's below-average household income combined with higher-than-average rent creates a challenging equation for renters here.

Rent creep in a rural county

Cocke's $787 median rent is higher than most rural peers like Carroll ($757), Chester ($714), and Clay ($546), yet the county's median income of $48,416 is among the lowest. This mismatch—higher housing costs meeting lower incomes—makes Cocke one of the least affordable options in this rural group.

Renters squeezed, owners stable

Cocke's median household earns $48,416 annually and pays $787 for rent or $575 for ownership, consuming 19.5% and 14.3% of gross income respectively. Homeowners fare better, but renters here commit a larger share of paychecks to housing than in nearly any other county in this sample.

Weigh rents carefully against income

Cocke County's scenic mountain location attracts newcomers, but renters should note the county's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio—the second-worst in our sample. If you're relocating here, prioritize purchasing a home or securing income above the county median; renting will consume a strain-level share of your paycheck.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cocke County

via IncomeByCounty

Cocke County trails national income significantly

Cocke County's median household income of $48,416 falls roughly $26,300 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, a 35% gap. The county ranks among America's lower-income areas, reflecting economic stagnation common to rural mountain communities.

Near bottom among Tennessee counties

At $48,416, Cocke County's median income ranks it among Tennessee's lowest-earning counties, $10,578 below the state average of $58,994. Only a handful of Tennessee counties earn less, highlighting persistent economic struggles in this Appalachian region.

Among the region's weakest earners

Cocke County's $48,416 median income aligns closely with Carter County ($48,435) and sits just above Claiborne County ($46,587). The county faces similar economic headwinds as its isolated rural neighbors across East Tennessee.

High rent burden strains tight budgets

Cocke County's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among its peers, meaning residents dedicate nearly one-fifth of earnings to housing alone. Combined with low overall incomes, this leaves minimal resources for healthcare, food, and emergency savings.

Build financial resilience gradually

Cocke County workers should focus on establishing emergency savings through automatic transfers of even $25–50 monthly, accessible through most employers. Explore free financial counseling and investigate skill-development programs that could increase earnings potential over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cocke County

via HealthByCounty

Cocke faces a health crisis

At 68.0 years, Cocke County residents live 8.4 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—a stark disparity. The county's 25.6% poor or fair health rate ranks among the highest in the nation, nearly 50% above the national average of 17%. Cocke confronts systemic health challenges that demand urgent, comprehensive intervention.

Tennessee's most troubled health profile

Cocke's 68.0-year life expectancy is the lowest in Tennessee by a significant margin, trailing the state average of 72.4 years by 4.4 years. With 12.8% uninsured and 25.6% reporting poor or fair health, Cocke struggles on nearly every metric. This combination signals deep socioeconomic distress, substance abuse challenges, and chronic disease that requires statewide attention.

Critically underperforming locally

Cocke's 68.0-year life expectancy is 4.8 years lower than the next-worst county (Claiborne at 71.0) and 4.8 years below the regional average. The county's 25.6% poor or fair health rate is the highest among all eight counties. With 38 primary care and 56 mental health providers per 100K, Cocke has adequate infrastructure numbers but clearly faces challenges that transcend access alone.

High uninsured rate, deep needs

Cocke's 12.8% uninsured rate exceeds state average, and the 25.6% poor or fair health rate suggests untreated chronic conditions, likely including substance use disorders and poverty-related illness. Despite 38 primary care and 56 mental health providers per 100K, outcomes remain the worst in the region. This gap points to barriers beyond provider availability—poverty, transportation, stigma, and disease burden likely overwhelm available resources.

Coverage is critical—reach out today

Cocke residents should prioritize getting insured by visiting healthcare.gov or contacting TennCare, as 12.8% uninsured is above average and every person needs coverage. If you're struggling with addiction, mental health, chronic disease, or poverty, start with your primary care provider who can connect you to community health centers, substance abuse treatment, and financial assistance programs. Recovery and health are possible—take the first step.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cocke County

via RiskByCounty

Cocke County exceeds state average slightly

Cocke County's composite risk score of 54.52 sits just above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, indicating slightly elevated vulnerability to natural disasters. The county's relatively low overall rating masks significant exposure in flood and wildfire categories concentrated in its Appalachian terrain.

Mid-range risk among Tennessee counties

Cocke County ranks in the middle range of Tennessee's 95 counties by composite risk score, reflecting its position as a moderately exposed East Tennessee mountain county. The county's elevation and forest cover drive its hazard concentrations.

Lower wildfire risk than nearby Claiborne

Cocke County's wildfire risk of 61.77 is notably lower than Claiborne County's 81.36 to the west, though its flood risk (68.48) exceeds Claiborne's (51.72). This variation reflects Cocke's valley and riparian geography compared to Claiborne's higher-elevation plateau.

Floods and wildfires dominate local threats

Flood risk (68.48) and wildfire risk (61.77) represent Cocke County's primary concerns, both substantially above the state average and reflecting the county's Appalachian mountain and forest environment. Earthquake risk (76.91) ranks third, while tornado and hurricane risks remain secondary.

Prioritize flood and wildfire mitigation

Cocke County residents near waterways should obtain federal flood insurance to address the county's 68.48 flood risk, particularly in historic floodplain areas. Defensible space management and wildfire insurance are equally critical given the county's 61.77 wildfire risk and substantial forest cover.

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.