CountyScore

Hamblen County

Tennessee · TN

#48 in Tennessee
70.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Hamblen County, Tennessee

Hamblen Ranks 54% Above National Baseline

Hamblen County's composite score of 76.9 is 54% higher than the national median of 50.0, positioning it well above the typical U.S. county. The score reflects solid performance in taxes and housing affordability.

Slightly Above State Average

Hamblen County scores 76.9, modestly above Tennessee's 76.3 state average, ranking it near the top tier of the state's livability profile. The county holds competitive standing among Tennessee's 95 counties.

Strong Taxes and Affordable Housing

Hamblen delivers strong tax efficiency with a score of 89.4 (effective rate 0.457%) and cost score of 82.2, with median home value of $188,800 and rent at $838 monthly. These dual strengths provide reliable financial stability for working families.

Modest Incomes and Incomplete Data

The income score of 17.9 reflects median household income of $52,794, offering limited high-income opportunities for advancement. Critical data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and risk remain unavailable for comprehensive livability assessment.

Solid Choice for Working-Class Families

Hamblen County works well for working families and individuals seeking reasonable housing costs and efficient tax rates. The county provides a stable, affordable living environment, though additional research on schools and community safety is advised.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.4Cost82.2SafetyComing SoonHealth58.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.9Risk52.9WaterComing Soon
🏛89.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.9
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 Hamblen County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chambers County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $49,295
Wilcox County
Alabama
70.4
Median income: $42,236
Ashley County
Arkansas
70.4
Median income: $44,481
Dixie County
Florida
70.4
Median income: $47,655
Morgan County
Indiana
70.4
Median income: $79,088

Deep Dives

Hamblen County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hamblen County

via TaxByCounty

Hamblen taxes well below national average

Hamblen County's effective tax rate of 0.457% sits below Tennessee's state average of 0.511% and well below the national median of 0.76%. The median annual property tax of $863 represents just 32% of the national median of $2,690.

Hamblen in Tennessee's lower-tax group

At 0.457%, Hamblen County's effective tax rate places it in Tennessee's bottom 45% for tax burden among the state's 95 counties. The median annual bill of $863 is roughly $150 below the state median of $1,016.

Hamblen competitive in eight-county region

Hamblen's 0.457% rate sits just above Greene (0.431%) and Giles (0.467%), offering moderate tax relief in the region. The county provides favorable tax positioning compared to high-tax Gibson and Franklin.

What your Hamblen home costs in taxes

On the county median home value of $188,800, the annual property tax bill totals approximately $863. With a mortgage, you'll pay about $925; owning outright brings the bill to roughly $778.

Challenge assessments to cut taxes further

Many Hamblen County homeowners overpay property taxes due to inflated assessments that don't match current market values. Tennessee allows property tax appeals every two years, providing a direct path to potential savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hamblen County

via CostByCounty

Hamblen County Exceeds National Housing Burden

Hamblen County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds the national average, placing renters in a tighter financial position than typical American households. With a median household income of $52,794 and $838 monthly rent, housing demands a notably larger income share.

Hamblen County Among Less Affordable Areas

At 19.1%, Hamblen County's rent-to-income ratio substantially exceeds Tennessee's 17.6% state average, ranking among the state's less affordable counties. Renters pay only $22 less than the state median rent, but earn well below state median income, creating disproportionate housing pressure.

Highest Rent Burden in This Region

Hamblen County's 19.1% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among comparable counties, with its $838 rent second-highest only to Franklin County's $863. This combination of high rent and lower median income ($52,794) creates the region's most strained affordability.

Hamblen County Housing Cost Reality

Hamblen County renters dedicate 19.1% of their $52,794 median income to $838 monthly housing, squeezing other budget categories significantly. Homeowners similarly face 17.6% of income going to $731 monthly costs, reflecting challenging affordability across both renter and owner households.

Hamblen County Requires Strong Income Planning

If relocating to Hamblen County, ensure your personal income exceeds the $52,794 county median—housing affordability here depends critically on earning power. Compare its $838 rent and $188,800 median home values against more affordable rural alternatives before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hamblen County

via IncomeByCounty

Hamblen County below national average

Hamblen County's median household income of $52,794 falls $21,961 short of the national median of $74,755—a 29% gap. The county ranks in the lower-income tier nationally, typical of smaller rural and industrial communities across the Southeast.

Below Tennessee's state median

At $52,794, Hamblen County trails Tennessee's state average of $58,994 by $6,200, placing it among the lower-income counties statewide. The county reflects broader regional struggles with wage stagnation and declining industrial employment.

Modest standing in peer group

Hamblen County's $52,794 exceeds Grundy County ($45,573) and Fentress County ($50,865) but lags Franklin and Giles counties ($61,000+) by roughly $8,000-$9,000. The county occupies the lower-middle position within this regional cohort.

Housing strain pressures budgets

Hamblen County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.1% is the second-highest in this group, indicating housing costs significantly stress household budgets. Median home values of $188,800 require substantial commitment from median-income families, leaving limited capacity for other priorities.

Focus on debt reduction first

Hamblen County residents facing tight housing costs should prioritize debt reduction and building modest emergency savings before investing. Once housing is manageable, even small regular contributions to retirement accounts can accumulate meaningful wealth over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hamblen County

via HealthByCounty

Hamblen slightly below national average

Hamblen County's life expectancy of 71.1 years trails the U.S. average of 76 years by 4.9 years, though the county maintains better-than-average self-reported health. The poor or fair health rate of 21.8% is the lowest among the eight counties profiled, suggesting relatively good population wellness.

Close to Tennessee's health average

At 71.1 years, Hamblen County's life expectancy is 1.3 years below Tennessee's average of 72.4 years, placing it slightly below the state median. The uninsured rate of 13.3% exceeds Tennessee's 11.9% average, indicating coverage gaps despite the county's strong self-reported health.

Exceptional mental health infrastructure

Hamblen County boasts 225 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—nearly four times the state average and the highest density among these eight counties. Its 57 primary care providers per 100,000 tie Franklin County for the highest primary care density in the region.

Outstanding provider access despite uninsured gap

Hamblen County offers extraordinary healthcare infrastructure with 57 primary care providers and 225 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, creating exceptional access for insured residents. However, 13.3% of residents remain uninsured, the second-highest rate in this group, meaning thousands cannot fully leverage these resources.

Bridge the coverage gap

Hamblen County's remarkable provider network is underutilized by its 13.3% uninsured population—if you lack coverage, healthcare.gov and local health systems can enroll you today. With such strong resources available, no resident should go without the coverage that opens access to them.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hamblen County

via RiskByCounty

Hamblen County's risk near national average

Hamblen County's composite risk score of 47.11 places it in the Relatively Low category, near the national average for many counties. The county faces moderate exposure to earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes that warrant thoughtful preparedness planning.

Below Tennessee's average risk profile

Hamblen County's 47.11 score sits below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, positioning it as a safer-than-average county within the state. Its earthquake risk (85.94) ranks high, but flood and tornado risks remain moderate, creating a balanced overall hazard profile.

Safer than Greene, comparable to Cocke

Hamblen County's 47.11 score falls below Greene County (56.30) to the north and provides moderate protection relative to other East Tennessee counties. Its risk level reflects a typical Northeast Tennessee community facing seismic and water-related hazards alongside seasonal tornado exposure.

Earthquakes dominate hazard landscape

Earthquake risk peaks at 85.94, making seismic activity Hamblen County's most significant natural hazard concern tied to the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone. Flood risk (54.61) ranks second, reflecting the county's terrain and susceptibility to heavy rainfall and stream overflow during wet seasons.

Earthquake and flood coverage essential

Homeowners should prioritize adding earthquake coverage to their policies and verify flood insurance is in place, especially for properties near waterways. Given Hamblen County's moderate composite risk and high earthquake vulnerability, comprehensive coverage addressing seismic and water-related hazards provides critical protection.

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.