Coffee County

Tennessee · TN

#74 in Tennessee
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Coffee County, Tennessee

Coffee County delivers solid national-level livability

Coffee County's composite score of 74.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 50%, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally. This competitive standing reflects consistent strengths across the county's economic dimensions.

Slightly below Tennessee average but distinctive

Coffee County's score of 74.9 falls marginally below Tennessee's state average of 76.3, ranking it in the middle tier of statewide livability. However, its income profile distinguishes it from many other rural Tennessee counties.

Strong incomes balance tax advantages

Coffee County's income score of 23.0 reflects a median household income of $60,656, offering solid earning potential above most Tennessee counties. A tax score of 85.2 with 0.606% effective rate provides additional financial efficiency for earning households.

Rising housing costs and data gaps persist

Coffee County's cost score of 80.2 reflects higher-than-average housing with median home values of $227,300 and rent of $885 monthly, limiting its affordability appeal. Safety, health, schools, and water quality information is still being compiled.

Attractive to working professionals and families

Coffee County suits employed professionals, small business owners, and dual-income families who earn sufficient local income to support higher housing costs. Those seeking a balance of work opportunities, reasonable taxes, and community roots will find Coffee County appealing.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.2Cost80.2SafetyComing SoonHealth59.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome23Risk36.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠80.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
59.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
36.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Coffee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Coffee County

via TaxByCounty

Coffee County taxes below national median

At 0.606%, Coffee County's effective rate sits above the national average, yet its $1,378 median annual tax remains well below the national median of $2,690. The county's relatively strong home values of $227,300 translate to a higher-than-typical tax bill for the state.

Above Tennessee state average

Coffee County's 0.606% effective rate exceeds Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, placing it in the higher-taxed tier statewide. Its median home value of $227,300 is among the strongest in this group, contributing to a higher annual tax obligation of $1,378.

Third-highest rate in group

At 0.606%, Coffee County's rate ranks third highest after Carroll (0.663%) and Cocke (0.642%), though higher property values explain the larger annual bills. Compared to similar-valued Cheatham County ($291,400 homes), Coffee's rate advantage saves homeowners roughly $100 yearly.

Annual tax on median home

On Coffee County's median home value of $227,300, residents pay approximately $1,378 yearly in property taxes—roughly $115 per month. Homeowners with mortgages see escrow payments rise to $1,451.

Review your assessment carefully

Coffee County homeowners should verify that their assessed values align with recent comparable sales, as assessors sometimes overvalue properties. Filing an appeal with market evidence is a low-cost way to potentially reclaim hundreds in annual savings.

Cost of Living in Coffee County

via CostByCounty

Coffee strikes middle ground affordably

Coffee County renters spend 17.5% of household income on rent, just below Tennessee's state average and reasonably close to the national benchmark. With a median household income of $60,656 and median rent of $885, Coffee offers solid middle-ground affordability for those seeking rural living with respectable income levels.

Slightly better than state average

Coffee's rent-to-income ratio of 17.5% edges below Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, placing it among the better-performing counties in our dataset. The county's above-average median household income of $60,656 pairs well with its moderate rent, creating balanced affordability.

Premium rent, premium income

Coffee's $885 median rent is higher than most rural peers, second only to Cheatham ($1,274), yet the county's median income of $60,656 is solid enough to absorb it. Owner costs of $806/month and home values around $227,300 suggest Coffee sits in a slightly more developed part of rural Tennessee.

Balanced housing and income equation

The typical Coffee household earns $60,656 annually and pays $885 for rent or $806 for ownership, consuming 17.5% and 16.0% of gross income respectively. Both ratios sit comfortably below the danger threshold of 30%, offering genuine breathing room for other budget categories.

Solid choice for income-flexible relocators

Coffee County balances decent income opportunities with slightly-above-average housing costs, resulting in competitive overall affordability. If you're relocating to rural Tennessee and can earn $60,000+, Coffee delivers reliable value and fewer affordability surprises than lower-income rural peers.

Income & Jobs in Coffee County

via IncomeByCounty

Coffee County approaches national income level

Coffee County's median household income of $60,656 falls short of the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $14,100, or 19%. The county sits slightly below the national average, typical of moderate-income rural Tennessee communities.

Mid-tier earner in Tennessee

At $60,656, Coffee County's median income exceeds Tennessee's state average of $58,994 by $1,662, placing it slightly above the state midpoint. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier of Tennessee's 95 counties, reflecting moderate economic health.

Strong earnings for a rural county

Coffee County's $60,656 median income outpaces Carroll County ($50,391), Carter County ($48,435), and Claiborne County ($46,587). The county's earning strength rivals Chester County ($60,543), positioning it among the region's more economically stable areas.

Solid housing affordability and values

Coffee County's 17.5% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs manageable, with median home values of $227,300 reflecting healthy local equity. Residents enjoy reasonable affordability while maintaining financial flexibility for savings and other expenses.

Maximize earnings and compound growth

Coffee County's moderate income and solid housing affordability create an opportunity to prioritize long-term wealth building through retirement accounts and diversified investments. Direct housing cost savings toward employer 401(k) matches and Roth IRAs to accelerate wealth accumulation.

Health in Coffee County

via HealthByCounty

Coffee's health mirrors national trends

At 71.8 years, Coffee County residents live 4.6 years less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, a gap typical of rural America. The county's 23.8% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17%, but falls below several peers in this group. Coffee's health profile is reasonably strong for a rural Tennessee county.

Slight edge on state averages

Coffee's 71.8-year life expectancy trails Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years by just 0.6 years, placing it in the middle of the state's health rankings. Its 11.1% uninsured rate beats the state average of 11.9%, meaning better-than-average insurance coverage. Coffee performs competently on both key metrics, suggesting balanced health infrastructure and access.

Solid performer among peers

Coffee's 71.8-year life expectancy ranks above Carroll, Claiborne, and Cocke but trails the top performers like Chester (72.8). The county's 23.8% poor or fair health rate is middling but better than Clay (24.8%) and Carroll (24.5%). With 53 primary care and 218 mental health providers per 100K—by far the highest in the region—Coffee has exceptional behavioral health capacity.

Excellent mental health resources

Coffee's 11.1% uninsured rate is the lowest among these eight counties, and primary care access at 53 per 100K meets standard needs. Most striking, the county's 218 mental health providers per 100,000 residents is more than three times the regional average—an exceptional commitment to behavioral health. This resource concentration suggests Coffee has prioritized mental health as a health equity driver.

Build on Coffee's mental health strength

Coffee residents have better insurance coverage than most of Tennessee, but those 11.1% uninsured should visit healthcare.gov or TennCare to close the gap. If you're battling depression, anxiety, addiction, or other mental health challenges, Coffee's robust provider network offers excellent support—reach out to your primary care doctor or call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357. Coffee invests in mental health; use those resources.

Disaster Risk in Coffee County

via RiskByCounty

Coffee County moderately exceeds state average

Coffee County's composite risk score of 63.52 sits above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, indicating above-average vulnerability to natural disasters. The county's relatively low rating reflects concentrated risk in specific hazard categories rather than uniform exposure across all disaster types.

Upper-middle tier risk among Tennessee counties

With a score of 63.52, Coffee County ranks in the upper-middle range of Tennessee's 95 counties by disaster risk. The county's positioning reflects its central Tennessee location, where certain seismic and storm hazards are naturally amplified.

Higher tornado risk than comparable peers

Coffee County's tornado risk of 86.29 substantially exceeds that of surrounding counties in the region, making severe weather the county's distinguishing hazard characteristic. Its composite score of 63.52 places it among the riskier central Tennessee counties.

Tornadoes and earthquakes threaten residents

Tornado risk (86.29) and earthquake risk (87.37) represent Coffee County's primary concerns, both well above the state average and indicating significant seismic and storm exposure. Flood risk (55.98) ranks third, while wildfire exposure remains minimal at 11.55.

Storm shelter and earthquake insurance essential

Coffee County residents should prioritize a basement safe room or reinforced interior shelter to address the county's exceptionally high 86.29 tornado risk. Standalone earthquake insurance is equally critical given the county's 87.37 seismic risk score.

ByCounty Network

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