CountyScore

Grundy County

Tennessee · TN

#23 in Tennessee
72.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Grundy County, Tennessee

Grundy Outperforms National Median by 58%

Grundy County's composite score of 79.1 is 58% higher than the national median of 50.0, demonstrating exceptional livability compared to most U.S. counties. The score reflects strong affordability and very low tax burden.

Top Tier in Tennessee

At 79.1, Grundy County ranks well above Tennessee's 76.3 state average, qualifying as one of the state's highest-performing counties. The county's consistency across cost and tax metrics supports this elevated ranking.

Lowest Taxes, Most Affordable Homes

Grundy County leads among these eight counties with the second-highest tax score (90.4, effective rate 0.422%) and excellent cost score of 87.1, boasting the lowest median home value at $133,400. Rent averages just $723 monthly, making it the most affordable option overall.

Significantly Lower Income Levels

The income score of 13.1 is the lowest among these counties, reflecting median household income of just $45,573, indicating very limited wealth-building opportunity. Safety, health, schools, water quality, and risk data remain unavailable.

Best for Budget Minimalists

Grundy County is ideal for individuals on tight budgets, retirees with modest pensions, and those who can work remotely or have independent income. The county offers unmatched affordability, though economic opportunities for local employment are minimal.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.4Cost87.1SafetyComing SoonHealth56.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome13.1Risk65.8WaterComing Soon
🏛90.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼13.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.8
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 Grundy County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Heard County
Georgia
72.4
Median income: $62,907
Minidoka County
Idaho
72.4
Median income: $70,060
Pocahontas County
Iowa
72.4
Median income: $63,423
Hickman County
Kentucky
72.4
Median income: $63,750
Baraga County
Michigan
72.4
Median income: $55,117

Deep Dives

Grundy County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Grundy County

via TaxByCounty

Grundy taxes among nation's most affordable

Grundy County's effective tax rate of 0.422% places it in the bottom 15% of U.S. counties, well below the national median of 0.76%. The median annual property tax of $563 represents just one-fifth of the national median of $2,690.

Grundy ranks second-lowest in Tennessee

At 0.422%, Grundy County has the second-lowest effective tax rate in Tennessee, substantially below the state average of 0.511%. The median annual bill of $563 is less than 55% of the state median, offering significant tax relief.

Grundy near region's lowest tax rates

Grundy's 0.422% rate is surpassed only by Fentress (0.342%) in the eight-county comparison. The county offers homeowners one of the region's most tax-friendly environments.

What your Grundy home costs in taxes

On the county median home value of $133,400, the annual property tax bill totals approximately $563. With a mortgage, you'll pay about $625; owning outright brings the bill to roughly $523.

Verify assessments even in low-tax Grundy

Grundy County's lean tax rates make it easy to overlook potential assessment errors that could reduce your bill further. Submitting a property tax appeal every two years ensures your assessment reflects your home's actual market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Grundy County

via CostByCounty

Grundy County Above National Housing Burden

Grundy County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, indicating renters here face tighter housing budgets than typical U.S. households. With a median household income of just $45,573 supporting $723 monthly rent, housing consumes a notably larger share of earnings.

Grundy County Struggles with Affordability

At 19.0%, Grundy County's rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds Tennessee's 17.6% state average, marking it as one of the state's less affordable counties. Renters here face above-average housing cost pressure despite paying close to the state median rent of $860.

Poorest Affordability Among Peers

Grundy County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio is the worst among comparable rural Tennessee counties, with only Hamblen County ($838 rent) approaching similar stress. The fundamental issue is Grundy's $45,573 median income—lowest in the comparison group—making all housing costs relatively burdensome.

Grundy County Budget Realities

Grundy County renters spend 19.0% of their lowest-in-region $45,573 median income on $723 housing, leaving limited resources for other expenses. Homeowners similarly allocate 14.5% to $551 monthly costs, creating affordability challenges across both renter and owner categories.

Grundy County Requires Careful Budget Planning

If considering Grundy County relocation, carefully assess your income needs—the $45,573 median suggests limited job opportunities and modest wages. While $723 rent and $133,400 median home values are low, affordability improves only if you can secure above-county-median income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Grundy County

via IncomeByCounty

Grundy County faces deep income gap

Grundy County's median household income of $45,573 is the lowest in this group, falling $29,182 short of the national median of $74,755—a striking 39% gap. The county ranks among America's lowest-income areas, reflecting severe economic constraints and limited employment opportunities.

Tennessee's lowest among these counties

At $45,573, Grundy County ranks at the very bottom of this peer group and far below Tennessee's state average of $58,994, trailing by $13,421. The county faces profound structural economic challenges that suppress household earnings across most sectors.

Dramatically lower than peers

Grundy County's $45,573 income is the lowest in this regional group—nearly $16,000 below Franklin and Giles counties and roughly $5,000 below even struggling Fentress County. Only Grundy faces such severe income depression, indicating acute local economic distress.

Housing burden strains households

Grundy County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% is the highest in this group, meaning housing costs consume nearly one of every five income dollars. With median home values of $133,400, even affordable properties stretch household budgets tight, leaving little for other necessities or savings.

Seek support for financial stability

Grundy County residents should prioritize financial counseling and access to community resources to build economic stability. Even small emergency savings buffers and education about low-cost investment options can create foundations for gradual wealth building despite income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Grundy County

via HealthByCounty

Grundy struggles with life expectancy

Grundy County's life expectancy of 69.7 years is among the lowest in Tennessee, falling 6.3 years below the U.S. average of 76 years. The county's poor or fair health rate of 22.6% adds to evidence of population health strain.

One of Tennessee's most challenged counties

At 69.7 years, Grundy County has the lowest life expectancy of the eight counties profiled, falling 2.7 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year average. The uninsured rate of 13.7% is the highest in this group, exceeding the state average of 11.9%.

Lowest life expectancy among regional peers

Grundy County's 69.7-year life expectancy is the lowest in its immediate region, trailing even Fentress County (70.1 years) and Gibson County (70.3 years). Data on primary care providers is unavailable, but the 57 mental health providers per 100,000 suggest some behavioral health infrastructure exists.

High uninsured rate masks deeper access gaps

Grundy County's 13.7% uninsured rate is the highest among these counties, placing thousands without basic coverage and limiting their ability to access care. While 57 mental health providers per 100,000 residents indicate behavioral health resources, complete provider access data unavailability suggests potential staffing and infrastructure challenges.

Coverage is critical for Grundy

With 13.7% of residents uninsured—highest in this group—Grundy County must prioritize enrollment in healthcare plans available through healthcare.gov and Medicaid. Every uninsured resident represents a barrier to the health improvements the county urgently needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Grundy County

via RiskByCounty

Grundy County maintains very low national risk

Grundy County's composite risk score of 34.26 places it in the Very Low risk category, well below the national average. The county benefits from lower-than-average exposure to most natural hazards, though tornado and wildfire risks require localized attention.

Among Tennessee's safest counties

Grundy County's 34.26 score ranks well below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it among the state's lower-risk counties. Only Grainger (18.61) and Fentress (28.44) counties score lower, making Grundy one of Tennessee's three safest communities by composite risk.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Grundy County's very low rating (34.26) contrasts favorably with neighbors like Sequatchie County and Cumberland County to the north. Its 34.26 score positions it as one of South-Central Tennessee's safest areas, offering significantly lower hazard exposure than the broader regional average.

Tornadoes and wildfires merit attention

Tornado risk (74.52) ranks highest in Grundy County, reflecting the county's location in Tennessee's tornado-prone corridor where spring storms develop regularly. Wildfire risk (56.14) ranks second, tied to the county's partly forested terrain and seasonal drought conditions that occasionally spark fires.

Standard coverage with tornado provisions

Grundy County residents can rely on standard homeowners insurance for most hazards, but should ensure tornado and hail coverage is explicitly included. Properties near wooded areas should verify wildfire provisions are adequate, and consider reviewing coverage annually to reflect any property changes.

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.