countyscore
56.5
County Score
Property Tax 88Water Quality 86Cost of Living 83.4

County Report Card

About Decatur County, Tennessee

Leading the National Median

Decatur County earns a strong composite score of 57.1, placing it well ahead of the national median of 50.0. This score indicates a high level of overall livability relative to the rest of the country.

A Top Tennessee Performer

With a 57.1 score, Decatur outperforms the state average of 51.3 by a healthy margin. It serves as a model for rural livability within the Tennessee valley.

Unmatched Affordability and Low Tax

The county shines with a tax score of 87.1 and a cost score of 86.5. A median home value of $133,900 and rent at $716 make this one of the most affordable spots in the region.

Economic Growth Potential

An income score of 8.6 is the primary weakness, reflecting a median household income of $46,190. While life is cheap here, high-paying jobs remain relatively scarce.

Perfect for Simple, Affordable Living

Decatur County is ideal for remote workers or families who want to maximize their purchasing power. It offers a rare combination of very low costs and high environmental stability.

204060801008883.439.520.156.7661.68661.8Tax88Cost83.4Safety39.5Health20.1Schools56.7Income6Risk61.6Water86Weather61.856.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Decatur County DNA

Foverall

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

Decatur County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (88/100) but notably weak in Income (6/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88+36
Cost
83.4+35.400000000000006
Safety
39.5-15.5
Health
20.1-29.9
Schools
56.7
Income
6-45
Risk
61.6+14.600000000000001
Water
86+28
Weather
61.8
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Whether buying or refinancing in Decatur County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$139,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$757/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$139,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.1x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $45,375/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.7

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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Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Georgia
Median income: $49,147
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Quitman County
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Lemhi County
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Todd County
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Wright County
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Clinton County
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Venango County
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Median income: $61,522
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Nearby counties

Perry County
Tennessee
68
Henderson County
Tennessee
54.9
Hardin County
Tennessee
47.1
Wayne County
Tennessee
62
Chester County
Tennessee
60.5
Carroll County
Tennessee
55.6
Lewis County
Tennessee
53.9
Humphreys County
Tennessee
52.3

Deep Dives

Decatur County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Decatur County

via TaxByCounty

Decatur County sits below national average

Decatur County's effective tax rate of 0.488% produces median taxes of $654, a fraction of the national median property tax of $2,690. This places Decatur in the bottom 35% nationally, offering residents substantially lighter property tax burden than most American counties.

Slightly below Tennessee average

Decatur County's effective rate of 0.488% sits marginally below Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, positioning it near the middle of the state's 95 counties. The county's lower median tax of $654 reflects both its moderate rate and relatively affordable home values.

Competitive with nearby rural counties

Decatur County's 0.488% rate aligns with DeKalb County (0.362%) and runs lower than Crockett County (0.645%) in the region. Among rural Tennessee neighbors, Decatur offers a reasonable property tax environment without standing out as unusually high or low.

What a typical Decatur County homeowner pays

On the median home value of $133,900, Decatur County homeowners pay approximately $654 annually in property taxes. Mortgaged properties tend toward $721, while outright ownership typically costs $612 per year.

Verify your Decatur County assessment

Decatur County homeowners should confirm their assessed values align with recent comparable sales in their neighborhoods. An appeal is worthwhile if your assessment exceeds what similar homes in your area would fetch on the market today.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Decatur County

via IncomeByCounty

Decatur County faces significant income gap

Decatur County's median household income of $46,190 trails the national median of $74,755 by $28,565—a stark 38% gap. This substantial shortfall places Decatur among the most economically challenged counties in the nation.

Among Tennessee's lowest-income counties

At $46,190, Decatur's median household income falls 22% below Tennessee's state average of $58,994, ranking it among the state's most economically disadvantaged counties. This positioning reflects limited employment diversity and dependence on declining rural industries.

Decatur's earnings lag all comparison peers

Decatur County's $46,190 falls short of every neighboring county examined, including DeKalb ($48,484), Dyer ($54,973), and Crockett ($59,049). The county faces the steepest earnings challenge among these rural communities.

Housing costs strain limited household income

Decatur's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio is manageable on paper, but limited absolute income of $46,190 constrains overall financial flexibility. Combined with limited high-wage job availability, households have minimal room for savings or investment.

Building wealth through community resources

Decatur County residents face significant income headwinds but can benefit from low housing values ($133,900) and affordable rents. Seek out local workforce development programs, entrepreneurship training, and financial literacy services to build skills that unlock higher-wage employment opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Decatur County

via CrimeByCounty

Decatur County Offers Superior Safety

Decatur County boasts a safety score of 97.8, reflecting a very secure environment. Its total crime rate of 1,375.9 per 100,000 is far lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Ranked Well Above State Norms

The safety score of 97.8 places Decatur County above the Tennessee average of 97.2. Four reporting agencies work together to keep local crime rates suppressed.

Leading the Region in Safety

The county's total crime rate of 1,375.9 is much lower than the state average of 1,785.6. This makes Decatur one of the more peaceful areas in the western Tennessee region.

Property Crimes Dominate Local Reports

Violent crime is notably low at 209.0 per 100,000, which is well below the state average of 356.7. Property crime sits at 1,166.9, making it the primary concern for residents.

Focus on Neighborhood Awareness

Low violent crime rates make this a safe place to live, but property protection remains important. Ensure your home is well-lit and that your neighbors know when you are away.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Decatur County

via WeatherByCounty

Above Average National Temperatures

Decatur County's 60.2°F annual average reflects a climate much warmer than the national median. This region experiences consistent humidity and high annual precipitation totals.

Warmer and Wetter Than Average

At 60.2°F, the county is 2.1 degrees warmer than the Tennessee average of 58.1°F. Its 57.1 inches of annual rainfall also exceeds the state average, marking it as a particularly moist region.

The Heat of West Tennessee

Decatur faces 64 extreme heat days, far exceeding the 38 days recorded in DeKalb County to the east. The 60.2°F average temperature makes it one of the warmer spots in the immediate region.

Extreme Heat and Mild Winters

Summers are demanding, with 64 days hitting 90°F or higher and a July average of 79.9°F. Winters provide relief with very little snow, averaging only 1.6 inches annually.

Durable Cooling and Rain Gear

With 64 days of extreme heat, a robust and efficient air conditioning system is a resident's top priority. The 57.1 inches of rain suggests keeping reliable umbrellas and waterproof boots on hand year-round.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Decatur County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Alfisols along the river

Decatur County features silt loam soils categorized as Alfisols. The average pH of 5.18 is lower than both the Tennessee state average of 5.35 and the national median of 6.5.

Sand and silt provide easy workability

With 27.7% sand and 50.0% silt, this soil is relatively easy to till and work. The 20.3% clay content helps ensure the soil doesn't lose nutrients too quickly during heavy rains.

State-average water capacity for plants

The organic matter content of 1.35% is lower than the state's 2.44% average. However, the available water capacity of 0.168 in/in is nearly identical to the state average, providing reliable moisture for vegetation.

Variable drainage requires careful planning

The soil is moderately well drained but falls into the C/D hydrologic group. This indicates that water can move slowly through the profile, making runoff management important for agricultural fields.

Forestry and farming in zone 7b

This soil-climate combination is excellent for timber production and row crops like corn. Adding organic compost can help boost the lower fertility levels for a thriving home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Decatur County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating High-Difficulty Turf Management

Decatur County is one of the toughest places for lawns, with a difficulty score of 32.7. The combination of intense summer heat and acidic soil makes maintaining a lush green space a year-round challenge.

Enduring Intense Heat and Heavy Rains

The county faces a staggering 64 extreme heat days per year, nearly double the state average. This high heat, combined with 57.1 inches of rain, creates a humid environment where turf diseases can easily flourish.

Managing Acidic Silt Loam Soil

Local soil pH sits at 5.18, requiring significant intervention to reach the preferred 6.0 range for most turfgrasses. The silt loam texture holds 20.3% clay, meaning it can become very dense and difficult for roots to penetrate.

Surviving 21 Weeks of Drought

The county is currently 100% abnormally dry after enduring 21 weeks of drought over the past year. High growing degree days (4892) mean grass grows fast but also consumes water quickly during these dry spells.

Choosing Heat-Tolerant Grass Varieties

Because of the extreme heat, heat-loving Bermuda grass is the most reliable option for this 7b zone. Ensure your lawn is established between the spring frost on April 5 and the fall frost on October 29.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Decatur County's county score?
Decatur County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 56.5 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 Decatur County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Decatur County ranks #23 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 Decatur County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Decatur County is $644, with an effective tax rate of 0.46%. This earns Decatur County a tax score of 88/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Decatur County?
The median household income in Decatur County, Tennessee is $45,375 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Decatur County earns an income score of 6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Decatur County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Decatur County scores 56.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #23 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Decatur 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 Decatur 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.