Gibson County's composite score of 75.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 50%, demonstrating solid livability compared to most U.S. counties. The score is supported by manageable taxes and housing costs that serve working families well.
2 / 5
Slightly Below State Average
At 75.0, Gibson County falls marginally short of Tennessee's 76.3 state average, though it remains competitive among Tennessee's 95 counties. The county holds its own in the middle-to-upper tier statewide.
3 / 5
Balanced Affordability and Taxes
Gibson County delivers strong value with a cost score of 82.2 (median home value $149,700, rent $797/month) and a tax score of 83.2 with a 0.679% effective rate. Income score of 21.9 reflects median household income of $59,009, supporting modest but stable living.
4 / 5
Gaps in Quality-of-Life Data
Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality scores are not yet available, making it difficult to assess these important livability dimensions. Prospective residents should conduct additional research on these factors.
5 / 5
Solid Choice for Working Families
Gibson County works well for families and workers valuing housing affordability and reasonable taxes over premium incomes. The county provides a straightforward, economical living option, though comprehensive quality-of-life data would help inform longer-term decisions.
Gibson County's composite score of 75.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 50%, demonstrating solid livability compared to most U.S. counties. The score is supported by manageable taxes and housing costs that serve working families well.
Slightly Below State Average
At 75.0, Gibson County falls marginally short of Tennessee's 76.3 state average, though it remains competitive among Tennessee's 95 counties. The county holds its own in the middle-to-upper tier statewide.
Balanced Affordability and Taxes
Gibson County delivers strong value with a cost score of 82.2 (median home value $149,700, rent $797/month) and a tax score of 83.2 with a 0.679% effective rate. Income score of 21.9 reflects median household income of $59,009, supporting modest but stable living.
Gaps in Quality-of-Life Data
Safety, health, schools, risk, and water quality scores are not yet available, making it difficult to assess these important livability dimensions. Prospective residents should conduct additional research on these factors.
Solid Choice for Working Families
Gibson County works well for families and workers valuing housing affordability and reasonable taxes over premium incomes. The county provides a straightforward, economical living option, though comprehensive quality-of-life data would help inform longer-term decisions.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛83.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Gibson County's effective tax rate of 0.679% ranks among the highest in Tennessee and significantly exceeds the national median of 0.76%—wait, Gibson actually surpasses the national median itself. However, the median tax bill of $1,016 remains below the national median of $2,690 due to lower home values.
Gibson's rates top all Tennessee counties
Gibson County has the highest effective tax rate of any county in Tennessee at 0.679%, substantially above the state average of 0.511%. The median annual tax bill of $1,016 equals Tennessee's state median, despite the county's lower home values.
Gibson far outpaces regional competition
Gibson County's 0.679% rate is significantly higher than all eight comparison counties, with Franklin County (0.565%) coming second. Gibson residents pay the steepest tax rate in the entire region.
What your Gibson home costs in taxes
On the county median home value of $149,700, the annual property tax bill totals approximately $1,016. With a mortgage, you may pay $1,178, while owning free and clear brings the bill to roughly $890.
Challenge your assessment in high-tax Gibson
Gibson County's high rate makes it especially important to verify your home's assessed value reflects its true market worth. Property tax appeals are permitted every two years in Tennessee, making this a valuable tool for Gibson homeowners to reduce their bills.
Gibson County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio performs better than the national average, giving renters more financial flexibility than typical U.S. households. With a median income of $59,009 supporting a $797 monthly rent, local renters have breathing room compared to national norms.
Gibson Beats Tennessee's Affordability Average
At 16.2%, Gibson County's rent-to-income ratio outperforms Tennessee's 17.6% state average, marking it as more affordable than most of the state. Renters here pay $63 less monthly than Tennessee's median rent, translating to meaningful annual savings.
Among the Most Affordable in Its Region
Gibson County's $797 rent is the second-lowest among comparable rural Tennessee counties, beaten only by Fentress County at $614. This affordability advantage makes Gibson attractive for renters seeking lower housing costs without sacrificing county services.
Your Housing Budget in Gibson County
Gibson County renters spend 16.2% of their $59,009 median income on $797 housing, preserving substantial resources for other expenses. Homeowners invest 15.8% of income in $785 monthly costs, creating one of the state's most balanced owner-affordability profiles.
Gibson County Delivers Rural Affordability
Consider Gibson County if you're relocating to Tennessee and value low housing costs paired with rural character and working-class stability. With $797 median rent and $149,700 median home values, compare your budget here against both pricier urban counties and similarly rural peers.
Gibson County's median household income of $59,009 sits between Tennessee's state average ($58,994) and the national median ($74,755), placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. Typical households earn about $15,746 less than the U.S. median, a 21% gap.
Right at Tennessee's income midpoint
Gibson County essentially matches Tennessee's state median household income of $58,994 at $59,009, ranking it among the state's most representative counties. This stability suggests a balanced economic base without extreme poverty or wealth concentration.
Moderate income, moderate standing
Gibson County's $59,009 income places it between higher earners like Franklin and Giles counties ($61,000+) and lower-income peers like Grainger and Fentress counties ($50,000 range). The county occupies a middle position regionally, reflecting a diverse but modest economic base.
Balanced affordability and value
Gibson County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio is sustainable, and median home values of $149,700 remain affordable relative to earnings. Housing affordability here supports household financial stability and leaves room for other investments.
Steady income supports long-term planning
Gibson County's stable, representative income provides a foundation for consistent financial planning and modest wealth-building. Households should prioritize automating savings and exploring employer retirement benefits to compound gains over decades.
Gibson County's life expectancy of 70.3 years trails the U.S. average of 76 years by 5.7 years, marking a substantial health disadvantage. The county's poor or fair health rate of 22.9% exceeds national norms, indicating widespread health challenges.
Underperforming Tennessee standards
At 70.3 years, Gibson County's life expectancy falls 2.1 years below Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate of 11.8% nearly matches the state average, suggesting insurance is not the sole barrier to better health outcomes.
Among the region's most challenged counties
Gibson County has the lowest life expectancy in its immediate region, trailing Giles County (71.6 years) and Fentress County (70.1 years). Primary care provider availability at 40 per 100,000 is better than Fentress but below the regional leader, Franklin County (56 per 100,000).
Moderate access masks deeper health challenges
While Gibson County has 40 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 39 mental health providers, the county's 22.9% poor/fair health rate suggests quality-of-life factors beyond provider availability are driving poor outcomes. With 11.8% uninsured, most residents have coverage, but barriers to effective care remain.
Verify your coverage now
If you're among Gibson County's 11.8% without insurance, enrollment options are available at healthcare.gov and through local community health centers. Even small gaps in coverage can impact your health—review your options during open enrollment or if your circumstances change.
Gibson County's composite risk score of 85.94 ranks it in the Relatively Moderate category—well above the national average and among Tennessee's highest-risk counties. The county contends with exceptionally high tornado (91.70) and earthquake (97.11) hazards that demand serious preparedness planning.
Among Tennessee's riskiest counties
Gibson County's 85.94 score substantially exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the upper tier of the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Its tornado and earthquake scores rank among the state's highest, reflecting its position in both a seismic and tornado-active zone.
Riskier than surrounding counties
Gibson County faces considerably higher composite risk (85.94) than neighbors like Weakley County and Dyer County to the north. Its 85.94 score makes it one of Northwest Tennessee's most hazard-prone areas, particularly for tornado and seismic activity.
Tornadoes and earthquakes are severe threats
Tornado risk reaches 91.70—among Tennessee's highest—making spring and early summer storm seasons especially dangerous for Gibson County residents. Earthquake risk (97.11) is equally concerning and reflects the county's proximity to the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which has produced historic major earthquakes affecting this region.
Invest in structural protection and insurance
Residents should prioritize a dedicated safe room or storm shelter rated for high-wind tornado events and ensure comprehensive homeowners insurance covers tornado, hail, and earthquake damage. Given Gibson County's elevated seismic risk, verify that your policy includes earthquake coverage or add it as a rider.