CountyScore

Decatur County

Tennessee · TN

#28 in Tennessee
71.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Decatur County, Tennessee

Decatur County ranks well above the nation

Decatur County scores 78.5, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0 and landing in the upper third of American counties for livability. Its success rests firmly on exceptional housing affordability and favorable taxes.

Solid performer slightly above state average

With a score of 78.5, Decatur County exceeds Tennessee's state average of 76.3, positioning itself among the state's more livable counties. It's a dependable choice for those seeking Tennessee's sweet spot on value.

Affordability is Decatur's calling card

Decatur County excels with a cost score of 87.2 and median home values of just $133,900, plus a tax score of 88.5 with an effective rate of 0.488%. Monthly rent averages only $716, making it one of the state's most affordable options.

Low incomes offset housing bargains

The median household income of $46,190 with an income score of 13.5 is the lowest among these counties, indicating limited economic opportunity. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions remain incomplete.

Ideal for retirees and budget-first families

Decatur County is perfect for retirees on fixed incomes, families prioritizing maximum housing space for their dollar, and those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle. The ultra-low living costs offset limited local earning potential for those with outside income sources.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.5Cost87.2SafetyComing SoonHealth57.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.5Risk61.6WaterComing Soon
🏛88.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.6
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 Decatur County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Izard County
Arkansas
71.9
Median income: $47,728
Clear Creek County
Colorado
71.9
Median income: $96,667
Glascock County
Georgia
71.9
Median income: $55,250
Montgomery County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $66,571
Randolph County
Indiana
71.9
Median income: $61,121

Deep Dives

Decatur County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

Cost of Living in Decatur County

via CostByCounty

Decatur County stretches lowest incomes hardest

Decatur County's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, but what matters more is its $46,190 median household income—the lowest among comparable counties—making housing burdens especially acute. At $716 monthly rent, costs are manageable in absolute terms, but they consume a larger percentage of earnings than in wealthier regions.

Decatur ranks among Tennessee's poorest counties

With a 18.6% rent-to-income ratio slightly above Tennessee's 17.6% average, Decatur nonetheless faces distinct challenges rooted in its $46,190 median income—among the state's lowest. The $716 median rent beats the state average, yet represents a heavier proportional burden for residents earning significantly less.

Decatur offers cheapest rents in its cluster

Decatur's $716 rent is the lowest among its regional peers, undercutting Dyer County ($760), Crockett ($854), and Cumberland ($829). However, Decatur's lower incomes mean renters still allocate a higher percentage of earnings to housing than neighbors with slightly higher median incomes.

Decatur's tight household budget math

Renters dedicate $716 monthly while owners pay $552 for mortgages, seemingly affordable until divided against the $46,190 median household income. The median home value of $133,900 remains within reach, but qualifying for mortgages and maintaining other expenses proves challenging for residents earning near or below county median.

Decatur suits those with stable rural employment

Relocating to Decatur works only for candidates with guaranteed income above the county median or significant savings; nominal affordability masks income scarcity. Compare Decatur's numbers against better-earning counties like Dickson ($73,223) or Fayette ($84,764) to assess whether rural opportunity justifies the income trade-off.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Decatur County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy well below national average

Decatur County residents live to just 70.7 years on average, more than 7 years below the U.S. life expectancy of 78.1 years. The 24.4% poor/fair health rate ranks among the highest in the nation, nearly 6 points above the national average.

Among Tennessee's lowest life expectancy

Decatur County's 70.7-year life expectancy falls nearly 2 years below Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years, placing it among the state's most health-challenged counties. The county faces significant health disparities requiring urgent attention.

Provider scarcity compounds health challenges

Decatur County's 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is the lowest in the regional peer group, roughly one-third of Cumberland County's 64 per 100K. With only 129 mental health providers per 100,000, access to behavioral health services remains limited.

Limited providers strain everyday healthcare

Decatur County's 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents create real barriers to routine care, preventive visits, and chronic disease management. While the uninsured rate of 11.6% is slightly below state average, the scarcity of providers means coverage alone doesn't guarantee access.

Insurance is the first step toward care

With limited providers and 24.4% of residents in poor or fair health, health insurance becomes even more critical in Decatur County. Check the Tennessee Health Insurance Marketplace to secure coverage—it's your gateway to using the available healthcare resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Decatur County

via RiskByCounty

Decatur's Risk Trails National Norms

Decatur County's composite risk score of 38.42 with a Very Low rating sits well below the national average, positioning it among America's safer counties. This low exposure provides residents meaningful protection from most disaster types.

Among Tennessee's Safest Counties

At 38.42, Decatur ranks meaningfully below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the state's lower-risk tier. Only a handful of Tennessee counties enjoy comparable safety levels.

Safer Than Most Western Tennessee Peers

Decatur's 38.42 score is considerably lower than Cumberland (67.24), Crockett (52.58), and Dyer (86.58), though similar to DeKalb (25.48). The county benefits from lower exposure to wildfire and tornado risk compared to surrounding counties.

Tornadoes Present Primary Concern

Tornado risk at 66.70 represents Decatur's main hazard, though it remains moderate compared to other Tennessee counties. Earthquake risk reaches 83.37, while flood and wildfire exposures stay quite low.

Standard Coverage Largely Sufficient Here

Decatur's Very Low composite risk of 38.42 means standard homeowners insurance provides adequate baseline protection for most residents. Ensure your policy includes tornado/wind coverage and verify your safe room preparedness plan.

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.