CountyScore

Hancock County

Tennessee · TN

#9 in Tennessee
74.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Hancock County, Tennessee

Hancock ranks well above national livability baseline

Hancock County's composite score of 80.1 places it 30 points above the national median of 50.0, putting it in the top tier of American counties for overall livability. This exceptional score reflects considerable strengths in cost of living and tax burden.

Tennessee's most livable counties include Hancock

Hancock's 80.1 score ranks it above Tennessee's state average of 76.3, making it one of the state's standout counties for livability. It competes with the strongest performers across Tennessee.

Ultra-low costs and taxes define Hancock

Hancock shines with a cost score of 92.0 and median home value of just $118,000, paired with an exceptional tax score of 89.6 and effective rate of 0.452%. Monthly rent averages only $592, among the lowest in the state.

Income represents the primary challenge

The income score of 4.3 is critically low, with median household income at just $31,995—reflecting limited economic opportunity in this rural county. Safety, health, schools, and water data are not yet available, though cost advantages may not fully offset low earning potential.

Ideal for retirees and remote workers

Hancock County is perfect for retirees living on fixed incomes or remote workers whose salaries aren't tied to local wages, offering extraordinary affordability and tax efficiency. It's less suitable for those seeking local job growth or higher earning potential within the county.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.6Cost92SafetyComing SoonHealth53.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome4.3Risk88.1WaterComing Soon
🏛89.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠92
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼4.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡88.1
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 Hancock County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fayette County
Alabama
74.2
Median income: $50,733
Gem County
Idaho
74.2
Median income: $66,245
Fulton County
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74.2
Median income: $62,878
Pike County
Indiana
74.2
Median income: $66,250
Starke County
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74.2
Median income: $62,933

Deep Dives

Hancock County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hancock County

via TaxByCounty

Hancock keeps taxes well below national level

Hancock County's effective tax rate of 0.452% falls notably below the national median of 0.51%, offering relative relief from the tax burden many Americans face. Its median property tax of $533 is just 20% of the national median of $2,690, thanks to lower home values averaging $118,000 compared to the national median of $281,900.

Second-lowest property taxes in Tennessee

Hancock County ranks among Tennessee's most tax-friendly counties, with an effective rate of 0.452% well below the state average of 0.511%. Its median annual tax of $533 represents less than half the state median of $1,016, making it one of the cheapest places to own property in the state.

Hancock undercuts regional tax rates

At 0.452%, Hancock County's rate is lower than all nearby counties, including Hardin County (0.432%)—actually the lowest in this comparison—and Henderson County (0.469%). Hancock's low tax burden reflects its affordable housing market, with median values substantially below the regional average.

Median home costs just $533 yearly

A typical Hancock County home valued at $118,000 carries an annual tax bill of approximately $533. This low cost reflects both the affordable housing market and the county's below-average tax rate, making it attractive for budget-conscious homeowners.

Even low taxes can be reduced further

While Hancock County's rates are low, homeowners should still verify their assessments for accuracy—overvaluation happens everywhere. Filing an appeal with the county assessor costs nothing and could trim your already modest tax burden by identifying inflated property values.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hancock County

via CostByCounty

Nation's poorest county, housing crunch

Hancock County renters spend 22.2% of income on housing—a significant burden compared to the national average near 18%. With a median household income of just $31,995, far below the national median of $74,755, every dollar stretches thin.

Tennessee's most unaffordable county

Hancock County's 22.2% rent-to-income ratio is the worst in Tennessee, climbing 4.6 percentage points above the state average of 17.6%. The county's median income ranks among the lowest statewide, making housing genuinely unaffordable for most residents.

Cheapest rent, tightest wallets

At $592 monthly, Hancock has Tennessee's lowest median rent—cheaper than Hardeman ($818), Hawkins ($744), and Henry ($741). But this bargain matters little when household income ($31,995) is half that of neighboring Hardeman ($46,173), leaving residents with the state's worst affordability crisis.

Housing eats most monthly income

Renters pay $592 monthly on a median income of $2,666—leaving just 78% for everything else including food, transport, and healthcare. Even cheaper homeownership at $395 monthly still consumes 15% of income, a burden made worse by low wages.

Affordability alone isn't enough

Hancock's rock-bottom rents mask a deeper challenge: income growth lags far behind the state and nation. Before relocating here for cheap housing, research job opportunities carefully—low cost of living means little without wages to sustain it.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hancock County

via IncomeByCounty

Hancock County faces significant income gap

Hancock County's median household income of $31,995 is less than half the national median of $74,755, ranking it among the lowest-income counties in America. This substantial gap reflects limited economic opportunities and the county's rural, agriculture-dependent economy.

Lowest-income county in Tennessee

Hancock County earns just 54% of Tennessee's state median income of $58,994, making it the state's most economically challenged county. Per capita income of $24,037 falls far short of the state average of $31,458, indicating pervasive income constraints across households.

Struggling compared to surrounding counties

Hancock County's $31,995 median income trails every neighboring county measured, including Hawkins ($55,278) and Hardeman ($46,173), by $14,000–$23,000. This isolation from regional economic activity compounds the county's income challenges.

Housing costs strain tight budgets

A rent-to-income ratio of 22.2% pushes housing affordability to the edge, consuming over one-fifth of median household income on rent alone. With a median home value of $118,000 and limited household income, many residents struggle to save for down payments or emergency reserves.

Strengthen financial foundations in Hancock

Building wealth from a lower income requires disciplined prioritization: start by establishing a small emergency fund of $500–$1,000, then explore local workforce development programs or community college courses that could increase earning potential. Even modest increases in income compound significantly over time when matched with basic financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hancock County

via HealthByCounty

Hancock County faces significant health challenges

At 70.8 years, Hancock County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 5.6 years, marking one of Tennessee's lowest outcomes. Nearly 30.4% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national average of 21%—reflecting substantial chronic disease burden and preventable illness.

Among Tennessee's least healthy counties

Hancock County ranks near the bottom of Tennessee health outcomes, with a 70.8-year life expectancy more than 1.6 years below the state average of 72.4 years. Its 30.4% poor/fair health rate is among the worst statewide, indicating pervasive health challenges.

Similar struggles across rural region

Hancock County's 70.8-year life expectancy mirrors nearby Hardin County (also 70.8) and exceeds only Hardeman (70.3), placing it in a cluster of underperforming rural counties. However, its 30.4% poor/fair health rate is the highest among neighbors, suggesting acute healthcare access or chronic disease management gaps.

Limited provider access worsens health gaps

Hancock County reports critically low mental health provider capacity at just 14 per 100,000 residents—about 20 times lower than Hamilton County's 281—while primary care provider data is unavailable, suggesting severe access constraints. With a 10.5% uninsured rate and sparse provider networks, residents face formidable barriers to preventive and specialty care.

Insurance is a first step toward care

10.5% of Hancock County residents lack health insurance, a barrier that compounds the county's limited provider network. Apply for coverage at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans that connect you to available providers and essential preventive services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hancock County

via RiskByCounty

Tennessee's safest county overall

Hancock County scores just 11.93 on the composite risk index, earning a "Very Low" rating and placing it in the bottom tier of U.S. disaster risk—far safer than Tennessee's average of 52.45. This unusually low score reflects moderate-to-low hazard exposure across all disaster types, from tornadoes (20.17) to earthquakes (43.99). Hancock stands out as one of the most stable communities in America for natural disaster risk.

Safest county in Tennessee by far

Hancock County ranks last among Tennessee's counties for disaster risk, with a score less than one-quarter the state average and significantly lower than any neighboring county. Its tornado risk of 20.17 is the lowest in the state, and its earthquake, flood, and hurricane risks all fall well below the 52.45 state benchmark. This exceptional safety profile makes Hancock uniquely resilient to natural disasters statewide.

Dramatically safer than nearby counties

Hancock County's 11.93 risk score is roughly one-quarter that of Hawkins County (55.76) to the south and far below Hardin County (70.71) to the west. Even among its safest regional peers, Hancock maintains a clear protective advantage across all hazard categories. This geographic luck—combined with low population density—creates exceptional natural disaster safety.

Minimal natural disaster exposure

Tornado risk here is negligible at 20.17, and earthquake risk of 43.99 remains well below state and national averages, with seismic events historically mild or absent. Flood risk scores 32.73, chiefly affecting properties immediately adjacent to waterways rather than the broader community. Overall, residents face far fewer disaster concerns than most Americans.

Basic coverage provides ample protection

Standard homeowners insurance covers the limited risks Hancock County faces, and flood insurance is only necessary if your property sits in a mapped flood zone. Your low-risk profile means premiums should reflect this exceptional safety—shop around to ensure you're not overpaying for unnecessary coverage. Annual disaster preparedness reviews confirm your policy remains aligned with your county's minimal exposure.

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.