countyscore
50.6
County Score
Property Tax 91.8Weather & Climate 62.7Cost of Living 54.5

County Report Card

About Giles County, Tennessee

The National Performance Benchmark

Giles County sits right at the national pulse with a composite score of 50.7, just above the 50.0 median. It represents the standard for American livability across its many dimensions.

Consistent with the State Average

The county’s 50.7 score nearly matches the Tennessee state average of 51.3. This consistency makes it a reliable choice for those looking for a predictable Tennessee experience.

Strong Schools and Low Taxes

A tax score of 89.2 is driven by a favorable 0.467% effective rate, saving residents money. Education also shines with a school score of 54.0, which outperforms many neighboring counties.

Addressing Health and Income Scores

Health outcomes remain a primary challenge with a score of 27.0. While the median income is a respectable $61,476, the income score of 43.6 shows room for further economic growth.

Ideal for Practical Families

Giles is perfect for families seeking a balanced lifestyle with solid educational foundations and low taxes. It offers a stable, middle-of-the-road experience that avoids extreme trade-offs.

2040608010091.854.535.4275440.739.142.362.7Tax91.8Cost54.5Safety35.4Health27Schools54Income40.7Risk39.1Water42.3Weather62.750.6/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

Giles County DNA

Foverall

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

Giles County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Health (27/100), though Property Tax (91.8/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
91.8+39.8
Cost
54.5
Safety
35.4-19.6
Health
27-23
Schools
54
Income
40.7-10.299999999999997
Risk
39.1
Water
42.3-15.700000000000003
Weather
62.7
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Compare mortgage rates in Giles County

Whether buying or refinancing in Giles County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$234,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$862/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$234,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,480/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $62,307/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.9

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

Sussex County
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St. Johns County
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Rabun County
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Tattnall County
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Middlesex County
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Randolph County
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Yadkin County
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Nearby counties

Lawrence County
Tennessee
52.7
Marshall County
Tennessee
49.6
Maury County
Tennessee
40.7
Lincoln County
Tennessee
55.1
Limestone County
Alabama
42.4
Lewis County
Tennessee
53.9
Lauderdale County
Alabama
53.4
Wayne County
Tennessee
62

Deep Dives

Giles County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Giles County

via TaxByCounty

Giles taxes below state and national averages

Giles County's effective tax rate of 0.467% sits below Tennessee's state average of 0.511% and well below the national median of 0.76%. The median annual property tax of $953 represents less than a third of the national median of $2,690.

Giles ranks in state's lower-tax tier

At 0.467%, Giles County's effective tax rate places it in Tennessee's bottom 40% for tax burden. The median annual bill of $953 is roughly $60 below the state median, giving Giles households a modest tax advantage.

Giles offers competitive regional tax rates

Giles County's 0.467% rate sits comfortably below Gibson (0.679%) and Franklin (0.565%), comparable to Hamblen (0.457%) and Greene (0.431%). The county offers moderate tax relief for homeowners in the eight-county region.

What your Giles home costs in taxes

On the county median home value of $204,100, the annual property tax bill totals approximately $953. With a mortgage, you'll pay about $1,106; owning outright brings the bill to roughly $788.

Review assessments to maximize savings

Even in lower-tax Giles County, many homeowners carry assessments that exceed their home's actual value. Submitting a property tax appeal every two years ensures you're only paying taxes on what your home is truly worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Giles County

via IncomeByCounty

Giles County earns above Tennessee

Giles County's median household income of $61,476 surpasses Tennessee's state average ($58,994) by $2,482, yet trails the national median of $74,755 by $13,279. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier nationally, outperforming most rural counties while lagging urban centers.

One of Tennessee's stronger earners

At $61,476, Giles County ranks above the state average and among Tennessee's better-performing counties for median household income. Strong local industries and stable employment contribute to this above-average standing within the state.

Regional leader in household earnings

Giles County's $61,476 rivals Franklin County ($61,553) for the highest income in this group, both significantly outpacing Grundy County ($45,573) and Fentress County ($50,865). The county stands as an economic anchor in its region.

Higher income offsets home values

Giles County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% is reasonable given its median home value of $204,100, which ranks among the highest regionally. Higher earnings allow households to comfortably manage the cost of homeownership here.

Strong income powers wealth building

Giles County's above-state-average income creates real capacity for wealth accumulation beyond homeownership. Residents should leverage this advantage by maximizing retirement contributions, starting investment accounts, and diversifying assets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Giles County

via CrimeByCounty

Giles County ranks high for safety

Giles County features a total crime rate of 1,500.8 per 100,000, which is much lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This earns the county an impressive safety score of 97.6.

Leading the pack in Tennessee

The county's safety score of 97.6 beats the state average of 97.2. Its total crime rate of 1,500.8 is significantly better than the Tennessee state average of 1,785.6.

More secure than neighboring regions

Giles County maintains a lower total crime rate than Franklin County, which reports 1,870.7 per 100,000. Six reporting agencies ensure the county remains one of the safer options in the region.

Exceptionally low violent crime rates

Violent crime in Giles County is just 204.5 per 100,000, nearly half the national average of 369.8. Property crime at 1,296.3 also stays well below the national average of 2,015.7.

Maintain the Giles safety standard

Locking vehicles and securing garages helps keep the low property crime numbers down. Residents benefit from a safety culture that emphasizes prevention over reaction.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Giles County

via WeatherByCounty

Temperate South Central Climate

With an annual average of 57.3°F, Giles County sits above the national median temperature. It experiences high annual rainfall of 58.6 inches, typical of the humid Southeast.

Slightly Below Tennessee's Average

Giles County is slightly cooler than the Tennessee average of 58.1°F. While it avoids the extreme heat of the far west, it remains a warm subtropical zone.

More Moderate than Hamilton

Giles is nearly two degrees cooler on average than Hamilton County's 59.1°F. It also receives nearly 59 inches of rain, making it a lush, high-moisture neighbor to the central basin.

A Month of Extreme Heat

The county faces 38 days of extreme heat over 90°F each year, mostly during the 75.3°F average summer. Winter snow is rare, totaling just 1.9 inches annually.

Expect Rain and Warm Summers

Residents should focus on flood prevention and moisture control given the nearly 59 inches of annual rain. Because snow is so minimal, focus your home maintenance budget on AC efficiency rather than winter gear.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Giles County

via SoilByCounty

A More Balanced Tennessee pH Profile

Giles County features a pH of 5.55, which is notably less acidic than the state average of 5.35. While it still falls below the national median of 6.5, this milder acidity makes it slightly more hospitable for a variety of plants. Taxonomic data for the county is limited, but the chemical profile is promising for local growers.

High Silt Content Offers Smooth Texture

The soil composition consists of 55.1% silt, 23.9% clay, and 20.3% sand. This balance leans toward a silty profile that holds nutrients well while maintaining a decent structural foundation. Such a mix usually provides good workability, though the clay content suggests a risk of compaction if handled during wet periods.

Opportunities to Build Soil Health

The organic matter content stands at 1.81%, which is lower than the Tennessee average of 2.44% and the national 2.0% benchmark. Available water capacity is also slightly below the state average at 0.160 in/in. Focused efforts on mulching and organic amendments can significantly boost these metrics for better gardening results.

Navigating Local Hydrology and Drainage

While specific drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not listed in this dataset, the county's soil score of 37.7 is near the state average. Most growers in the region should monitor their land for runoff and saturation during the wet season. Understanding your specific site's slope is essential for managing the high silt content effectively.

Planting Success in Hardiness Zone 7b

USDA Hardiness Zone 7b supports a diverse range of crops, including warm-weather favorites like okra and sweet potatoes. The moderate pH gives you a head start on many vegetables compared to more acidic neighboring counties. Dig in this season and capitalize on the county's relatively balanced soil chemistry.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Giles County

via LawnByCounty

Balanced Growing in Giles County

Giles County scores a 48.3 on the lawn difficulty scale, matching the Tennessee state average almost perfectly. In Hardiness Zone 7b, local gardeners find a climate that is typical for the region but slightly tougher than the national average.

Average Heat and High Rain

The county experiences 38 extreme heat days per year, nearly identical to the state benchmark of 36. Lawns receive 58.6 inches of rain annually, providing plenty of moisture to support the 4,152 growing degree days.

Treating Low-pH Soil Conditions

With a soil pH of 5.55, the ground is more acidic than the preferred 6.0-7.0 range for healthy turf. The soil contains 23.9% clay, meaning it retains moisture well but may require lime applications to unlock essential nutrients.

Managing Moisture During Dry Weeks

The county recorded 18 weeks of drought conditions over the past year, and the entire area is currently abnormally dry. To maintain a green lawn, homeowners should supplement natural rain during the high-heat periods of July.

Timing Your Giles County Lawn

Tall fescue is a reliable choice for this zone, provided it is established before the first fall frost on October 24. For a successful spring start, wait until the frost risk passes after April 14.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Giles County's county score?
Giles County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 50.6 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 Giles County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Giles County ranks #54 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 Giles County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Giles County is $989, with an effective tax rate of 0.42%. This earns Giles County a tax score of 91.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Giles County?
The median household income in Giles County, Tennessee is $62,307 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Giles County earns an income score of 40.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Giles County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Giles County scores 50.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #54 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Giles 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 Giles 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.