countyscore
48.1
County Score
Property Tax 92.9Water Quality 86Weather & Climate 75.3

County Report Card

About Hamblen County, Tennessee

Searching for National Parity

Hamblen County records a 46.5 composite score, placing it below the national median of 50.0. This indicates specific areas of need relative to the average American county.

Trailing the State Average

The county’s score of 46.5 lags behind the Tennessee state average of 51.3. It faces stiff competition for residents compared to higher-scoring neighboring counties.

Strong Infrastructure and Low Taxes

A tax score of 90.0 is a major asset, supported by a competitive 0.457% effective tax rate. Additionally, the water quality score of 86.0 ensures a high standard of utility reliability.

Safety and Wage Concerns

Public safety is a notable concern with a score of 9.0, the lowest in its profile. The income score of 20.3 also reflects a median household income of $52,794, trailing many state peers.

Utility-Driven Growth Potential

Hamblen appeals to residents looking for low taxes and solid water infrastructure in a transitioning area. It is best for those who value utility reliability and a lower cost of living.

2040608010092.964.5922.153.822.452.98675.3Tax92.9Cost64.5Safety9Health22.1Schools53.8Income22.4Risk52.9Water86Weather75.348.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Hamblen County DNA

Foverall

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

Hamblen County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (92.9/100) but notably weak in Safety (9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
92.9+40.900000000000006
Cost
64.5+16.5
Safety
9-46
Health
22.1-27.9
Schools
53.8
Income
22.4-28.6
Risk
52.9
Water
86+28
Weather
75.3+19.299999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Hamblen County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$210,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$857/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$210,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$34,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $55,454/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Hamblen County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

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.

Safety in Hamblen County

via CrimeByCounty

Hamblen County exceeds national crime stats

Hamblen County's total crime rate of 2,885.5 per 100,000 is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. This gives the county a safety score of 95.4.

Struggling against Tennessee state averages

The total crime rate of 2,885.5 is much higher than the Tennessee average of 1,785.6. The county's safety score of 95.4 is also lower than the state average of 97.2.

Regional crime comparisons for Hamblen

Hamblen County is less safe than neighboring Grainger County, which reports a remarkably low rate of 1,014.9. Public safety is managed by four reporting agencies in the county.

Elevated property and violent crime

Violent crime at 545.5 is significantly higher than the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also high at 2,340.0, compared to the U.S. benchmark of 2,015.7.

Focus on neighborhood awareness

High property crime rates suggest that residents should use advanced home monitoring and reinforced locks. Collaborative neighborhood watch efforts are effective tools for increasing local safety.

Weather & Climate in Hamblen County

via WeatherByCounty

Standard Mid-Latitude Climate

Hamblen County averages 57.8°F annually, which is warmer than the national median. It receives 47.8 inches of precipitation, staying below the typical Tennessee rainfall levels.

Mirroring the Tennessee State Average

The county's average temperature sits just below the state average of 58.1°F. It represents the typical transition zone between the mountains and the central basin.

Warmer than Neighboring Greene

Hamblen is more than a degree warmer on average than Greene County. It also sees more winter accumulation, with 9.5 inches of snow compared to Greene's 7.7 inches.

Snowy Winters and Hot July

Hamblen experiences nearly 10 inches of snow annually, making it one of the snowier non-mountain counties. Extreme heat is still a factor, with 19 days per year reaching at least 90°F.

Prepare for Ice and Snow

Ensure your vehicle is equipped for nearly 10 inches of annual snow and potential ice. Since precipitation is lower than the state average, drought-resistant landscaping may be beneficial for the 75.2°F summers.

Soil Quality in Hamblen County

via SoilByCounty

Typical Tennessee Acidity and Texture

Hamblen County's soil profile shows a pH of 5.32, which aligns closely with the Tennessee state average of 5.35. This remains much more acidic than the national median of 6.5, suggesting most local soils need lime for traditional gardening. While specific taxonomic orders are not listed here, the chemical profile is very representative of the region.

Heavy Silt and Clay Mix

The soil composition is 45.7% silt and 24.2% clay, with sand making up the remaining 27.0%. This creates a dense texture that is excellent at holding onto nutrients but can be difficult to work when it is too dry or too wet. Managing this soil requires patience to avoid damaging the structure through improper tilling.

Improving Organic Matter for Resilience

Organic matter content is 1.50%, falling below the state average of 2.44% and the national 2.0% benchmark. The available water capacity is 0.161 in/in, slightly trailing the state average of 0.171. Consistent use of cover crops or organic mulch can help improve these numbers and protect your plants from drying out.

Understanding Local Soil Scores

Hamblen County has a soil score of 28.6, which is lower than the state average of 38.5. While specific drainage and hydrologic group data are not available, this score suggests some limitations for intensive agriculture or construction. Local land managers should conduct site-specific tests to understand how water moves through their property.

Bountiful Planting in Zone 7b

Hamblen County's Zone 7b climate is perfect for growing a wide variety of vegetables, from summer squash to autumn brassicas. With its temperate weather and decent silt content, the land is ready for productive gardening with a little organic enrichment. Start your growing journey this spring by focusing on soil health.

Lawn Care in Hamblen County

via LawnByCounty

Hamblen County's Strong Lawn Potential

Hamblen County earns a score of 60.8, making it one of the easiest places in Tennessee to keep a healthy lawn. This score is significantly better than the state average of 48.0 and the national average of 50.0.

Ideal Rainfall and Moderate Temps

The county receives 47.8 inches of rain annually, which is almost perfect for the ideal 30-50 inch lawn requirement. With only 19 extreme heat days, lawns stay greener longer than in the hotter, western parts of the state.

Managing Clay-Rich Soil Base

The local soil contains 24.2% clay and 27.0% sand, creating a dense foundation that holds nutrients well. The pH of 5.32 is slightly acidic, so testing and liming are recommended to reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 threshold.

Short Drought Windows in Hamblen

Hamblen County experienced only 8 weeks of drought over the past year, which is lower than the state trend. While 100% of the county is currently abnormally dry, the moderate climate helps the turf recover quickly.

Seeding for Success in Zone 7b

Tall fescue and Zoysia perform exceptionally well here, benefiting from the 4,224 growing degree days. Plan your seeding window between the last frost on April 10 and the first fall frost on November 4.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hamblen County's county score?
Hamblen County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 48.1 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 Hamblen County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Hamblen County ranks #65 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 Hamblen County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Hamblen County is $862, with an effective tax rate of 0.41%. This earns Hamblen County a tax score of 92.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Hamblen County?
The median household income in Hamblen County, Tennessee is $55,454 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Hamblen County earns an income score of 22.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Hamblen County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Hamblen County scores 48.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #65 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Hamblen 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 Hamblen County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.