CountyScore

Hawkins County

Tennessee · TN

#41 in Tennessee
71
County Score

County Report Card

About Hawkins County, Tennessee

Hawkins ranks well above national livability bar

Hawkins County's composite score of 77.8 reaches nearly 28 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper quartile of American counties. This reflects consistent strength across tax and housing affordability.

Exceeds Tennessee's livability average

Hawkins scores 77.8, above Tennessee's state average of 76.3, making it one of the state's more livable counties. It stands among the stronger performers across the state's 95 counties.

Low taxes and affordable housing combine well

Hawkins delivers a tax score of 86.4 with an effective rate of 0.563%, paired with a cost score of 86.0 and median home value of $166,900. Monthly rent averages $744, creating genuine affordability for most household types.

Income levels below state and national standards

The income score of 19.5 reflects median household income of $55,278, limiting economic upward mobility compared to higher-scoring peers. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality remain unavailable.

Ideal for cost-conscious professionals

Hawkins County attracts households valuing low taxes and affordable housing who work remotely, have external income sources, or commute to better-paying jobs elsewhere. It's less suited for those seeking strong local wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.4Cost86SafetyComing SoonHealth61.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.5Risk44.3WaterComing Soon
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡44.3
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 Hawkins County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Blount County
Alabama
71
Median income: $61,096
Clarke County
Alabama
71
Median income: $49,167
Dale County
Alabama
71
Median income: $53,955
Boone County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $54,195
Hempstead County
Arkansas
71
Median income: $47,654

Deep Dives

Hawkins County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Hawkins County

via TaxByCounty

Hawkins rates slightly above U.S. average

Hawkins County's effective tax rate of 0.563% modestly exceeds the national median of 0.51%, placing it in the middle range nationally. The median property tax of $940 on homes worth $166,900 represents just 35% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting property values below the U.S. norm.

Mid-range tax county in Tennessee

Hawkins County's effective rate of 0.563% sits above Tennessee's state average of 0.511% but below the highest-taxing counties. Its median annual tax of $940 is roughly 92% of the state median of $1,016, positioning it as a moderately taxed county statewide.

Hawkins taxes moderate in regional context

Hawkins County's 0.563% rate falls in the middle of the eight-county group, higher than Hardin (0.432%), Henderson (0.469%), and Henry (0.482%), but lower than Hamilton (0.669%), Hardeman (0.652%), and Haywood (0.714%). It represents a balanced tax environment for the region.

Median home costs $940 yearly

A typical Hawkins County home valued at $166,900 generates approximately $940 in annual property taxes at the 0.563% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more ($1,009), while those owning outright pay less ($852).

Check if your assessment is fair

Hawkins County homeowners should compare their assessed values to recent sales of similar properties in their area. If your assessment appears inflated, file a cost-free appeal with the county assessor—many homeowners successfully reduce their tax burden this way.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hawkins County

via CostByCounty

Hawkins beats the national average

Hawkins County renters spend just 16.1% of income on rent, beating the national average of roughly 18% by a meaningful margin. Median household income of $55,278 is below the national median of $74,755, yet residents enjoy better housing affordability than the typical American.

Tennessee's most affordable county

Hawkins County's 16.1% rent-to-income ratio is the best in Tennessee, sitting 1.5 percentage points below the state average of 17.6%. At $744 monthly rent, the county offers genuine affordability without sacrificing economic stability.

Cheap rents paired with strong wages

Hawkins' $744 rent is lower than Henry County ($741) and Henderson County ($812), while household income ($55,278) exceeds both by meaningful margins. The county's combination of low housing costs and higher wages creates Tennessee's best affordability story.

Housing takes just one-sixth of income

Renters spend $744 monthly while homeowners pay $600—a $144 gap on a median income of $4,607. After housing, residents retain over $3,800 for food, healthcare, transport, and savings—genuinely comfortable for rural Tennessee.

Best affordability in the region

Hawkins County delivers the best housing affordability in Tennessee while maintaining competitive wages above neighboring rural counties. If you're relocating from costly metros, Hawkins offers the rare combo of low rents and incomes that actually support them.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hawkins County

via IncomeByCounty

Hawkins County income trails national median

Hawkins County's median household income of $55,278 falls 26% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting rural economic constraints typical of East Tennessee. The county's manufacturing and agricultural base provides stable but modest incomes compared to nationally diversified economies.

Near Tennessee state average

Hawkins County earns 6% below Tennessee's state median of $58,994, making it close to the state average despite rural characteristics. Per capita income of $29,206 also approaches the state average of $31,458, suggesting consistent earning patterns across the county's population.

Regional income leader among peers

Hawkins County's $55,278 median income ranks highest among comparable rural counties in the region, exceeding Hardeman ($46,173), Henry ($48,540), and Haywood ($43,513) by $7,000–$12,000. This position reflects stronger manufacturing employment and broader economic diversification.

Housing remains affordable

A rent-to-income ratio of 16.1% is the lowest among measured counties, indicating strong housing affordability for the area. With a median home value of $166,900 and stable incomes, residents have solid opportunities to purchase homes and build equity.

Maximize Hawkins County opportunity

With better-than-average regional incomes and affordability, Hawkins County residents are well-positioned to direct 10–15% of income toward retirement accounts or investment accounts. Consider consulting free financial counseling services to develop a long-term wealth-building strategy that leverages the county's economic stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hawkins County

via HealthByCounty

Hawkins County below U.S. health averages

At 71.5 years, Hawkins County's life expectancy falls 4.9 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 21.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county tracks close to national disease burden rates.

Below Tennessee's average health outcomes

Hawkins County's 71.5-year life expectancy lags the Tennessee state average of 72.4 years by 0.9 years, placing it in the bottom half of state counties. Its 21.1% poor/fair health rate mirrors statewide burden but signals ongoing chronic disease challenges.

Mid-range health in its peer group

Hawkins County's 71.5-year life expectancy is middling among the eight counties, outpacing Hancock, Hardeman, and Hardin but trailing Hamilton and Henry. Its 21.1% poor/fair health rate aligns closely with Henderson (23.8%) and Henry (23.6%), suggesting similar underlying health patterns.

Limited mental health infrastructure

Hawkins County has 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and critically low mental health provider capacity at just 26 per 100,000—among the lowest statewide. An 11.2% uninsured rate means coverage gaps compound these provider shortages, limiting access to behavioral health support.

Insurance matters in tight provider markets

With just 26 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, Hawkins County residents face acute behavioral health gaps, made worse by 11.2% lacking insurance. Enroll at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to access coverage and ensure you're connected to available mental health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hawkins County

via RiskByCounty

Hawkins County slightly above national average

Hawkins County scores 55.76 on the composite risk index, earning a "Relatively Low" rating and sitting just barely above Tennessee's average of 52.45. Flooding poses the highest risk at 64.66, followed by moderate earthquake exposure (74.20), while tornadoes (49.90) and hurricanes (38.21) remain secondary concerns. This balanced risk profile places Hawkins in the middle range of American counties.

Mid-range risk for Tennessee

Hawkins County ranks in the middle tier of Tennessee counties, with a 55.76 composite score nearly matching the state average of 52.45. Its flood risk of 64.66 is among the state's higher ratings, reflecting the county's topography and proximity to waterways. Tornado and wildfire risks remain below state averages, making flooding and earthquakes Hawkins's distinctive hazards.

Moderate risk in a mixed region

Hawkins County's 55.76 score sits well above Hancock County's exceptional 11.93 but below Hardin County's 70.71, placing it firmly in the regional middle. Its 64.66 flood risk is notably higher than most neighbors, reflecting its water-rich geography. While tornado risks remain lower than Hardin or Henry counties, Hawkins's flood exposure distinguishes it from safer peers like Hancock.

Floods and earthquakes merit attention

Flooding is your primary concern at 64.66, particularly for properties near rivers, creeks, or low-lying areas that can experience significant water damage during heavy rains or spring snowmelt. Earthquakes score 74.20, indicating moderate seismic risk; while major events are infrequent, moderate tremors occur regularly and can damage older structures. Tornadoes remain a secondary spring threat but less severe than in neighboring counties.

Prioritize flood and earthquake coverage

Flood insurance is essential in Hawkins County—either through your standard policy rider or the National Flood Insurance Program—given your 64.66 flood risk score. Add earthquake coverage to your homeowners policy to protect against seismic damage, and ensure windstorm riders cover tornado risk. Annual policy reviews before spring storm season keep your coverage aligned with your property's vulnerability.

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.