countyscore
45.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 78.6Property Tax 76

County Report Card

About Cocke County, Tennessee

Below National Averages

Cocke County’s composite score of 43.9 falls below the national median of 50.0. The data suggests several areas where the county faces structural challenges compared to the rest of the country.

Trailing State Benchmarks

The county's score of 43.9 is significantly lower than the Tennessee average of 51.3. It struggles to compete with neighboring counties in terms of public health and safety metrics.

Affordable Living and Water

Cocke County maintains high water quality (86.0) and a strong cost-of-living score (76.4). Median home values are accessible at $141,800, supported by a 0.642% tax rate.

Safety and Health Concerns

The safety score of 10.4 and health score of 13.5 represent the county's biggest hurdles. Low income scores (11.7) also reflect a median household income of $48,416.

A Value Play for Adventurers

Cocke County suits those who prioritize proximity to natural beauty and low housing costs over urban safety and healthcare metrics. It is best for individuals who are self-reliant and budget-focused.

204060801007678.610.413.546.78.745.58671.8Tax76Cost78.6Safety10.4Health13.5Schools46.7Income8.7Risk45.5Water86Weather71.845.2/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Cocke County DNA

Foverall

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

Cocke County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (78.6/100) but notably weak in Safety (10.4/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
76+24
Cost
78.6+30.599999999999994
Safety
10.4-44.6
Health
13.5-36.5
Schools
46.7
Income
8.7-42.3
Risk
45.5
Water
86+28
Weather
71.8+15.799999999999997
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Many homeowners in Cocke County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$158,100

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$798/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$158,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $48,016/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.5

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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Latimer County
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Nearby counties

Greene County
Tennessee
52.9
Hamblen County
Tennessee
48.1
Haywood County
North Carolina
44
Jefferson County
Tennessee
54.9
Sevier County
Tennessee
46.5
Madison County
North Carolina
65.8
Grainger County
Tennessee
60.5
Swain County
North Carolina
51.6

Deep Dives

Cocke County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Cocke County

via CrimeByCounty

Cocke County Safety Near National Average

Cocke County has a safety score of 95.7, which is slightly below the state average of 97.2. Its total crime rate of 2,741.4 per 100,000 residents sits just above the national average of 2,385.5.

Public Safety Trends in East Tennessee

Compared to other Tennessee counties, Cocke sees more reported incidents than the state average of 1,785.6. Law enforcement from two reporting agencies works to address these figures and manage community safety.

A Mid-Tier Region for Crime Reports

Cocke County’s crime rate is higher than neighbors like Clay County (487.4) but significantly lower than Carter County (6,396.2). This makes it a mid-tier county for safety within its specific Tennessee region.

Property Crime Outpaces Violent Offenses

Property crime is the main concern at 2,304.8 per 100,000, while the violent crime rate is 436.6. These rates suggest that property-related issues are about five times more common than violent offenses locally.

Investing in Household Security

Investing in home security and smart locks can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a property crime statistic. Awareness of local trends helps residents take the right precautions for their families and belongings.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cocke County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Relatively Dry for the South

Cocke County averages 58.7°F, which is several degrees warmer than the national median. Interestingly, its 46.7 inches of rain is lower than many other Southern counties.

Warmer and Drier than Tennessee Average

At 58.7°F, it exceeds the state temperature average of 58.1°F. It is significantly drier than the state average, receiving about 9 inches less rain than the typical Tennessee county.

Moderate Heat Compared to Western Peers

The county experiences 31 extreme heat days, far fewer than the 54 days in Cheatham but more than Carter. It averages 3.3 inches of snow, mirroring the totals found in Carroll County.

Steady Warmth and Light Snowfall

July brings an average of 77.6°F, while the winter average remains a mild 40.8°F. The county avoids extreme winter accumulation with only 3.3 inches of snow annually.

A Balanced Approach to Home Comfort

With 31 extreme heat days, moderate air conditioning is necessary during the summer months. The relatively low 46.7 inches of rain makes it easier to maintain outdoor structures than elsewhere in the state.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cocke County

via SoilByCounty

Local Testing Recommended

Data for Cocke County is currently limited, with specific pH and taxonomic records unavailable for the broader area. Most regional soils in East Tennessee lean acidic, but local tests are recommended to determine your specific garden's needs.

Observing Your Soil Texture

Precise percentages for sand, silt, and clay are not recorded in this dataset, leaving the exact texture unknown. Observing how quickly water soaks into your ground after a rain can help you estimate your soil's local composition.

Amending for Success

Organic matter and water capacity metrics are not currently available for this county. Adding compost and mulching are universal best practices that will improve any soil's fertility regardless of the baseline.

Understanding Local Runoff

Drainage and hydrologic classifications are unlisted, meaning site-specific observation is crucial for farming or construction. Look for signs of erosion or pooling water to understand how your land handles Tennessee’s heavy rainfall.

Summer Staples in Zone 7b

Cocke County sits in hardiness zone 7b, offering a generous window for growing tomatoes, corn, and beans. Don't let the lack of data stop you—local extension offices are great resources for starting your home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cocke County

via LawnByCounty

Cocke County Leads the State in Ease

With a lawn difficulty score of 61.0, Cocke County is one of the most lawn-friendly regions in Tennessee. This score is well above both the state average of 48.0 and the national median of 50.0.

Moderate Temperatures and Ideal Rain

The county's 46.7 inches of annual precipitation falls perfectly within the ideal range for most grass types. Combined with 31 extreme heat days—fewer than the state average—turf here faces less environmental stress than in other areas.

Adaptable Conditions for Healthy Yards

While specific soil data is limited for this region, the climate indicators suggest a very hospitable environment for growth. Homeowners should conduct a local soil test to determine if the pH needs typical Tennessee lime amendments.

Managing Severe Drought Pockets

Despite its high score, the county faced 15 weeks of drought recently, with nearly 40% currently in severe drought. Effective water management and choosing drought-tolerant cultivars are essential during these dry transitions.

Maximizing the 7b Growing Season

The local climate supports a wide variety of grasses across 4,413 growing degree days. For best results, start your planting after the April 7th frost date to capitalize on the mild spring weather.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cocke County's county score?
Cocke County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 45.2 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 Cocke County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Cocke County ranks #78 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 Cocke County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Cocke County is $898, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Cocke County a tax score of 76/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cocke County?
The median household income in Cocke County, Tennessee is $48,016 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cocke County earns an income score of 8.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cocke County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Cocke County scores 45.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #78 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Cocke 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 Cocke 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.