CountyScore

Grainger County

Tennessee · TN

#15 in Tennessee
73.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Grainger County, Tennessee

Grainger Ranks 58% Above National Median

Grainger County's composite score of 78.9 far exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 58%, placing it among the top-performing counties in the nation. The county's strength comes from exceptional affordability combined with low tax burden.

Notably Above Tennessee Average

Grainger County scores 78.9, significantly above Tennessee's 76.3 state average, earning recognition as one of the state's best-performing counties. This 3.4% advantage reflects consistent excellence across multiple livability dimensions.

Unbeatable Cost and Tax Combination

Grainger shines with a cost score of 87.6 (median rent $726, home value $172,000) and tax score of 88.0 (effective rate 0.506%), offering exceptional affordability for working families. This dual strength makes it one of Tennessee's most budget-friendly counties.

Limited Income and Incomplete Data

The income score of 16.9 reflects a median household income of $51,351, indicating limited wealth-building opportunities locally. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data remain unavailable, requiring supplemental research.

Perfect for Cost-Conscious Families

Grainger County is ideal for families and individuals prioritizing low housing costs and minimal taxes, even if income potential is limited. The county offers exceptional financial value and stability, particularly appealing to retirees and remote workers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88Cost87.6SafetyComing SoonHealth56.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.9Risk81.4WaterComing Soon
🏛88
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81.4
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 Grainger County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Scott County
Arkansas
73.6
Median income: $45,955
Ontonagon County
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73.6
Median income: $51,844
Lake County
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73.6
Median income: $75,621
Redwood County
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73.6
Median income: $67,024
Putnam County
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73.6
Median income: $56,875

Deep Dives

Grainger County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Grainger County

via TaxByCounty

Grainger taxes fall below national average

Grainger County's effective tax rate of 0.506% is substantially below the national median of 0.76%, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. The median annual property tax of $871 is just one-third of the national median of $2,690.

Grainger near Tennessee's middle ground

At 0.506%, Grainger County's effective tax rate nearly matches Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's tax spectrum. The median annual bill of $871 is roughly $145 below the state median of $1,016.

Grainger competitive within eight-county group

Grainger's 0.506% rate sits above Greene (0.431%) and Grundy (0.422%), but below Gibson (0.679%) and Franklin (0.565%). The county offers moderate tax positioning in the regional comparison.

What your Grainger home costs in taxes

On the county median home value of $172,000, the annual property tax bill totals approximately $871. With a mortgage, you'll pay about $1,044; owning outright brings the bill to roughly $730.

Contest inflated assessments in Grainger

Overassessed properties in Grainger County represent untapped savings for many homeowners. Tennessee allows property tax appeals every two years, giving you regular opportunities to challenge assessments and lower your bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Grainger County

via CostByCounty

Grainger County Slightly Above National Burden

Grainger County's 17.0% rent-to-income ratio is slightly higher than the national average, indicating renters here face marginally tighter housing budgets. With a median household income of $51,351 and $726 monthly rent, the county sits just above national affordability benchmarks.

Grainger Matches Tennessee Affordability

At 17.0%, Grainger County's rent-to-income ratio is nearly identical to Tennessee's 17.6% state average, reflecting typical affordability challenges across the state. Renters pay $134 less monthly than the state median, providing modest cost savings relative to other Tennessee counties.

Mid-Range Rent Among Eastern Counties

Grainger County's $726 median rent positions it between low-cost Fentress County ($614) and higher-cost Hamblen County ($838), offering a rural-county middle ground. This pricing reflects its character as a moderately developed East Tennessee county.

Grainger County Housing Breakdown

Grainger County renters spend 17.0% of their $51,351 median income on $726 housing, a manageable but notable expense. Homeowners invest just 12.1% of income in $518 monthly costs, showing a significant advantage for those who can purchase.

Grainger County for East Tennessee Value

If you're considering East Tennessee relocation with a modest budget, Grainger County's $726 rent and $172,000 median home values offer reasonable middle-ground pricing. Compare it against cheaper Fentress County or pricier Hamblen to gauge your affordability priorities.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Grainger County

via IncomeByCounty

Grainger County income trails nation

Grainger County's median household income of $51,351 falls $23,404 short of the national median of $74,755—a 31% gap. The county ranks among lower-income areas nationally, reflecting limited job growth and wage pressures common to rural Appalachia.

Below Tennessee state average income

At $51,351, Grainger County trails Tennessee's state average of $58,994 by $7,643, placing it among the lower-income counties statewide. The county faces structural economic challenges that depress household earnings compared to state and national peers.

Struggling with peer counties

Grainger County's $51,351 median income exceeds only Grundy County ($45,573) in this group, trailing higher earners like Franklin and Giles counties by over $10,000. The county shares income challenges with Fentress County ($50,865), both struggling regionally.

Rent burden creeps higher

Grainger County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.0% indicates housing costs claim a growing share of household earnings. While median home values of $172,000 remain moderate, the ratio suggests some households may strain to afford adequate housing.

Save aggressively from modest income

Despite lower earnings, Grainger County residents can build wealth through disciplined saving and smart spending. Even small monthly contributions to savings accounts and employer retirement plans compound significantly over working lifetimes, creating long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Grainger County

via HealthByCounty

Grainger faces a significant health crisis

Grainger County's life expectancy of 71.3 years trails the U.S. average of 76 years by 4.7 years, reflecting serious population health challenges. The county's poor or fair health rate of 26.2% is one of the highest in its region, indicating widespread health struggles.

Bottom tier in Tennessee rankings

At 71.3 years, Grainger County's life expectancy falls 1.1 years below Tennessee's average of 72.4 years, placing it among the state's most challenged counties. The uninsured rate of 11.6% mirrors the state average, though provider scarcity may limit care access despite coverage.

Critically short on primary care providers

Grainger County has the lowest provider density in its region, with only 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—compared to 36 in Giles County and 56 in Franklin County. This severe shortfall compounds the county's already-elevated poor health rate of 26.2%.

Provider shortage creates urgent access barriers

Grainger County residents face a critical healthcare access crisis: just 13 primary care providers and 20 mental health providers per 100,000 residents make routine care difficult to access. Even with 11.6% uninsured, the remaining 88.4% with insurance struggle to find available providers.

Insurance is your first step

Grainger County urgently needs healthcare coverage to be universal so residents can advocate for improved provider access. If you're uninsured, enroll at healthcare.gov today—coverage opens doors to telehealth and regional care options when local providers are full.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Grainger County

via RiskByCounty

Grainger County ranks among safest in nation

Grainger County's composite risk score of 18.61 places it in the Very Low risk category, making it one of the safest counties in the United States. The county benefits from lower-than-average exposure to most natural hazards, though earthquake risk remains moderate at 67.56.

Tennessee's safest county by risk score

Grainger County's 18.61 score is the lowest in Tennessee, sitting far below the state average of 52.45. Only a handful of other Tennessee counties approach this level of safety, making Grainger an exceptional outlier in the state's natural hazard landscape.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Grainger County's very low composite risk (18.61) stands in stark contrast to neighbors like Union County and Campbell County. Its 18.61 score makes it one of East Tennessee's safest communities, with substantially lower hazard exposure than counties to the north and south.

Earthquake risk moderately elevated

Earthquake risk (67.56) emerges as Grainger County's primary hazard concern, though still moderate compared to nearby East Tennessee counties. Wildfire risk (48.70) ranks second, reflecting the county's partly forested terrain and seasonal dry conditions that occasionally spark fires.

Standard coverage typically sufficient

Grainger County residents enjoy unusually low overall natural disaster risk and can typically rely on standard homeowners insurance policies. Consider adding earthquake coverage as an optional rider to protect against seismic activity, and review wildfire provisions if your property sits near wooded areas.

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.