CountyScore

Davidson County

Tennessee · TN

#94 in Tennessee
60
County Score

County Report Card

About Davidson County, Tennessee

Davidson County leads on income, trails on costs

Davidson County's composite score of 65.4 remains well above the national median of 50.0, but reflects the trade-offs of urban living in Nashville. Higher incomes are offset by significantly steeper housing costs compared to the nation.

Below Tennessee average despite urban advantages

Davidson County scores 65.4, falling short of Tennessee's state average of 76.3, a reflection of Nashville's higher cost of living relative to the rest of the state. Still, the county ranks among the state's most economically dynamic.

Strong incomes justify urban location

Davidson County leads with a median household income of $75,664 and an income score of 32.8—the highest among these eight counties. Its tax score of 84.9 ensures residents keep a healthy share of their earnings despite urban proximity.

Housing costs are the major trade-off

The cost score of 58.9 reflects steep housing prices, with median home values at $386,600 and monthly rents averaging $1,485—more than double rural alternatives. Critical gaps remain in safety, health, school, and environmental data.

Built for professionals seeking urban opportunity

Davidson County (Nashville) suits young professionals, entrepreneurs, and higher-income families willing to trade affordability for career opportunity and urban culture. The strong job market and income levels justify the premium housing costs for those who can afford them.

Score breakdown

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

Tax84.9Cost58.9SafetyComing SoonHealth64.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome32.8Risk2.8WaterComing Soon
🏛84.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠58.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼32.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤64.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡2.8
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 Davidson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Macomb County
Michigan
60
Median income: $76,399
Coahoma County
Mississippi
60
Median income: $36,259
Jackson County
Missouri
60
Median income: $67,178
Tioga County
New York
60
Median income: $71,791
Kendall County
Texas
60
Median income: $110,498

Deep Dives

Davidson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Davidson County

via TaxByCounty

Nashville-area taxes match national median

Davidson County's effective tax rate of 0.618% generates a median property tax of $2,390, just slightly below the national median of $2,690. The county lands near the middle of the national distribution, making it representative of typical American property tax burden.

Second-highest rate in Tennessee

Davidson County's effective rate of 0.618% ranks second among Tennessee's 95 counties, surpassed only by a handful of peers and well above the state average of 0.511%. Only Crockett County (0.645%) carries a higher effective rate in Tennessee, reflecting Nashville's stronger property tax commitment.

Highest taxes in the region by far

Davidson County's 0.618% rate substantially exceeds all surrounding counties, including Dickson County (0.502%) and Decatur County (0.488%). Nashville homeowners pay roughly double the tax rate of some nearby jurisdictions, a premium driven by the urban county's larger tax base.

What a typical Davidson County homeowner pays

On the median home value of $386,600, Davidson County homeowners pay approximately $2,390 annually in property taxes. Whether mortgaged ($2,376) or owned outright ($2,420), residents face substantial annual property tax obligations in the state's largest urban county.

Appeal your assessment in Nashville

Davidson County homeowners, especially those with properties near major development or market shifts, may discover their assessments lag behind actual values—or exceed them. Requesting a formal assessment review could save you hundreds annually if your home is overvalued on the county rolls.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Davidson County

via CostByCounty

Davidson's housing costs grip harder than most

At 23.6%, Davidson County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national average, signaling that Nashville-area renters dedicate nearly a quarter of earnings to housing—well above the typical American burden. With median rent at $1,485 against a $75,664 median household income (nearly matching the national $74,755), Davidson demonstrates how urban markets compress affordability.

Davidson ranks Tennessee's least affordable county

Davidson's 23.6% rent-to-income ratio towers above Tennessee's 17.6% state average, making it the state's most housing-stressed county by this measure. The $1,485 median rent nearly doubles the state average of $860, reflecting Nashville's emergence as a high-cost regional hub.

Davidson vastly outprices surrounding counties

Davidson's $1,485 rent nearly doubles Dickson County's $972 and tripled Dyer County's $760, illustrating the Nashville metropolitan premium. Even compared to prosperous Fayette County ($883 rent), Davidson's housing costs are dramatically steeper, revealing concentrated urban pressures.

Where Davidson incomes stretch thin

Renters spend $1,485 monthly while homeowners face $1,458 mortgages—both consuming over 23% of the $75,664 median household income. The median home value of $386,600 places homeownership further from reach, particularly for renters already straining under high monthly payments.

Nashville boom has real affordability costs

Davidson County's growth and opportunity come with a 23.6% rent-to-income ratio that demands higher earnings than most Tennessee relocations require. Compare these numbers carefully against more affordable alternatives like Cumberland (17.0%) or Fayette (12.5%) before committing to Nashville-area housing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Davidson County

via IncomeByCounty

Davidson County earns above the national average

Davidson County's median household income of $75,664 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by roughly $900, placing it in the upper tier of American counties. This achievement reflects Nashville's status as a major metropolitan economic hub.

Tennessee's top earner among major counties

Davidson County's $75,664 median household income substantially outpaces Tennessee's state average of $58,994—28% higher. The county ranks among the state's highest-income communities, driven by Nashville's diverse economy and urban wage premiums.

Significantly outearning surrounding rural counties

Davidson's $75,664 far exceeds Dickson ($73,223), Cumberland ($58,475), and Crockett ($59,049) counties. This income premium reflects Nashville's urban advantage and the concentration of professional, service, and creative-sector jobs unavailable in neighboring rural areas.

Higher incomes offset higher housing costs

Davidson County's 23.6% rent-to-income ratio is notably elevated, reflecting median home values of $386,600—the highest among comparison counties. However, the above-average household income of $75,664 provides the earning power to sustain these housing costs despite the burden.

Urban incomes require strategic wealth planning

Davidson County residents earn above-average incomes but face above-average housing costs that can erode savings potential. Prioritize automating contributions to retirement accounts and investment portfolios to ensure wealth accumulates despite higher cost-of-living pressures.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Davidson County

via HealthByCounty

Strong health outcomes, highest in state

Davidson County residents live to 75.1 years on average, just 3 years below the U.S. average of 78.1 years, making it a relative bright spot. With 19.5% reporting poor/fair health, the county outperforms the national average of 18%.

Leads Tennessee in life expectancy

Davidson County's 75.1-year life expectancy ranks among the highest in Tennessee, exceeding the state average of 72.4 years by nearly 3 years. The county demonstrates that better health outcomes are achievable within the state.

Superior healthcare infrastructure and access

Davidson County's 91 primary care providers per 100,000 residents vastly outpace neighboring Decatur (26 per 100K) and DeKalb (39 per 100K) counties. The county's 434 mental health providers per 100,000 is exceptional, providing unparalleled mental health access.

Healthcare system offers widespread access

With 91 primary care providers and 434 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the highest ratios in the nation—Davidson County's healthcare infrastructure is robust. An uninsured rate of 12.7% means most residents can access this extensive network.

Maximize Nashville's world-class healthcare

Even in Davidson County's strong healthcare environment, 12.7% of residents lack coverage, missing access to preventive care and specialists. Visit healthcare.gov to explore Tennessee marketplace plans that connect you with the county's exceptional medical resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Davidson County

via RiskByCounty

Nashville's Exceptional Risk Profile

Davidson County scores 97.17 on composite risk with a Relatively High rating—among the most vulnerable counties in the entire nation. This score reflects extraordinary exposure across multiple hazard categories, from tornadoes and earthquakes to floods.

Tennessee's Highest-Risk County

Davidson County's 97.17 composite risk score is more than 45 points above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, making it decisively the state's riskiest county. No other Tennessee county approaches this level of cumulative disaster exposure.

Dramatically Riskier Than Surroundings

Davidson's 97.17 score dwarfs those of adjacent counties: Dickson (53.47), Sumner (not listed), and DeKalb (25.48). Nashville's urban density and infrastructure vulnerability amplify its disaster risk relative to surrounding rural areas.

Flood, Tornado, and Earthquake Threats

Flood risk reaches near-catastrophic levels at 98.19, tornado risk stands at 97.93, and earthquake risk hits 98.22—all among the nation's highest. These overlapping hazards make Davidson uniquely vulnerable to multiple simultaneous disaster scenarios.

Comprehensive Coverage Is Non-Negotiable

With a composite risk of 97.17, standard homeowners insurance is insufficient—add flood insurance (through the National Flood Insurance Program) and separate earthquake coverage immediately. Consider additional umbrella liability coverage given Davidson's exceptional vulnerability to multiple hazard types.

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.