CountyScore

Haywood County

Tennessee · TN

#84 in Tennessee
66.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Haywood County, Tennessee

Haywood significantly exceeds national livability median

Haywood County's composite score of 74.8 sits nearly 25 points above the national median of 50.0, indicating solid livability compared to typical American counties. Affordability and tax efficiency are the primary drivers.

Slightly below Tennessee's state average

Haywood's 74.8 score falls just shy of Tennessee's state average of 76.3, placing it in the middle tier of the state's counties. It performs respectably but trails the state's top performers.

Exceptional housing affordability leads the way

Haywood boasts a cost score of 85.0 with median home value of just $119,600 and rent averaging $725—among the state's most affordable. The tax score of 82.2 with an effective rate of 0.714% further enhances the value proposition.

Income growth remains a significant constraint

The income score of 11.8 reflects median household income of just $43,513, among the lowest in the state and indicating limited economic opportunity. Safety, health, schools, and water information are not yet available.

Best for budget-first, income-flexible households

Haywood County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, or those on fixed incomes who need maximum affordability without concern for local earning potential. It's less suitable for ambitious professionals seeking strong wage growth within the county.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.2Cost85SafetyComing SoonHealth53.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.8Risk35.3WaterComing Soon
🏛82.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡35.3
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 Haywood County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $89,879
Phillips County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $38,874
Sumter County
Florida
66.2
Median income: $73,297
Carroll County
Georgia
66.2
Median income: $72,327
Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana
66.2
Median income: $82,874

Deep Dives

Haywood County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Haywood County

via TaxByCounty

Haywood ranks among highest U.S. taxes

Haywood County's effective tax rate of 0.714% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.51%, placing it in the top tier of American tax burdens. The median property tax of $854 on homes valued at $119,600 remains just 32% of the national median of $2,690, due to lower home values despite the steep tax rate.

Highest tax rate in Tennessee

At 0.714%, Haywood County carries Tennessee's highest effective tax rate, nearly 40% above the state average of 0.511%. Its median annual tax of $854 is 84% above the state median of $1,016, making it the most heavily taxed county in the state.

Haywood leads regional tax burden

Haywood County's 0.714% rate is the highest among all eight counties in this comparison, surpassing even Hamilton County (0.669%) and Hardeman County (0.652%). This positions Haywood as the most tax-pressured county in the entire region.

Median home costs $854 yearly

A typical Haywood County home valued at $119,600 carries an annual tax bill of approximately $854 at the 0.714% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay more ($1,030), while those owning outright pay less ($729).

Appeal assessments to ease heavy burden

Given Haywood County's highest-in-state tax rate, homeowners should carefully examine their property assessments for overvaluation. Filing a no-cost appeal with the county assessor could reduce your significant tax burden—especially valuable when facing such steep rates.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Haywood County

via CostByCounty

Haywood rents slightly above national

Haywood County renters spend 20% of income on housing, slightly above the national average near 18%. With median household income of $43,513—nearly 42% below the national median of $74,755—even modest rents create a meaningful burden.

Middle-of-pack affordability struggle

Haywood County's 20% rent-to-income ratio sits well above Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, placing it among the less affordable counties statewide. The $725 median rent is nearly 16% below the state average of $860, yet income constraints make housing still feel expensive.

Lowest rent, not lowest burden

Haywood's $725 median rent ties or beats most neighbors—cheaper than Hardeman ($818), Henry ($741), and Henderson ($812). Yet the county's weak median income of $43,513 converts that rent advantage into a 20% burden, the third-worst in this regional cluster.

Low rent masked by low wages

Renters spend $725 monthly while homeowners pay $687—nearly the same cost on a median income of just $3,626. After housing, households have roughly $2,900 for all other expenses, tight by any standard.

Cheap housing doesn't guarantee comfort

Haywood offers the region's lowest rents, but without strong wage growth, housing affordability becomes a false economy. Research job prospects carefully before moving here—the lowest housing costs mean nothing if income can't support basic living expenses.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Haywood County

via IncomeByCounty

Haywood County faces significant income gap

Haywood County's median household income of $43,513 is 42% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among America's lower-income counties. The gap reflects limited job diversity and the county's dependence on agriculture and small-scale manufacturing.

Below-average income statewide

Haywood County earns 26% less than Tennessee's state median of $58,994, ranking it among the state's economically challenged counties. Per capita income of $25,554 also trails the state average of $31,458, indicating constrained earning power across households.

Lower end of rural county spectrum

Haywood County's $43,513 median income ranks among the lowest in the region, exceeding only Hancock County ($31,995) but trailing Hardeman ($46,173) and Henderson ($53,471) by $3,000–$10,000. The county's economic position reflects structural challenges in rural West Tennessee.

Housing costs pressure household budgets

A rent-to-income ratio of 20.0% means one-fifth of median household income goes to rent, approaching affordability strain. With a median home value of $119,600 and limited incomes, residents require disciplined saving and stable employment to achieve homeownership.

Strategic steps for Haywood residents

Start by building a modest emergency fund of $300–$500 through automatic transfers, then explore whether employer benefits like pensions or matching contributions exist. Research community development programs or vocational training that align with growing sectors in neighboring counties—even a small income increase significantly improves long-term financial outcomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Haywood County

via HealthByCounty

Haywood County faces severe health burdens

At 70.5 years, Haywood County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by nearly 6 years, among the lowest nationally. Nearly 29% of residents report poor or fair health—well above the national 21%—indicating high chronic disease prevalence and preventable mortality.

Second-worst health ranking in Tennessee

Haywood County's 70.5-year life expectancy ranks near the bottom statewide, falling 1.9 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year average. Its 28.6% poor/fair health rate is second-worst among peers, exceeded only by Hancock's 30.4%.

Among the region's most vulnerable counties

Haywood County's 70.5-year life expectancy exceeds only Hardeman's 70.3, while its 28.6% poor/fair health rate trails only Hancock's 30.4%. This pairing marks Haywood as a county facing acute, multifaceted health challenges.

Critically low mental health provider capacity

Haywood County has just 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a severe shortage of mental health support at only 6 per 100,000—the lowest among all eight counties. With an 11.9% uninsured rate matching the state average, coverage alone cannot overcome the acute provider gap.

Start with coverage to access limited care

Haywood County's crisis-level mental health provider shortage (6 per 100,000) is compounded by 11.9% of residents lacking insurance. Apply for coverage at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596—securing insurance is a critical first step toward connecting with available providers and telehealth resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Haywood County

via RiskByCounty

Haywood faces moderate earthquake risk

Haywood County scores 64.69 on the composite risk index, earning a "Relatively Low" rating and sitting above Tennessee's average of 52.45. Earthquakes dominate at 94.94—one of the state's highest scores—while tornadoes (66.86) present a secondary spring threat. Remarkably, flood risk is minimal at just 24.87, and wildfire exposure (10.43) is among the state's lowest, making Haywood's profile earthquake-centric.

Top earthquake risk in Tennessee

Haywood County ranks mid-tier statewide but stands out for its exceptionally high earthquake score of 94.94—among Tennessee's worst for seismic hazard. Its tornado risk of 66.86 sits near the state average, while flood and wildfire risks remain well below 52.45, the state benchmark. This seismic concentration makes Haywood geographically distinct from counties with balanced multi-hazard exposure.

Highest earthquake risk in the region

Haywood County's earthquake score of 94.94 far exceeds nearby Henderson County (92.62) and exceeds most regional peers, placing it at the epicenter of Tennessee's seismic vulnerability. Its overall 64.69 score sits between Hardeman County (63.01) and Henderson County (63.10), yet its earthquake exposure is distinctly worse. This makes Haywood especially vulnerable to tremor damage despite moderate composite scores.

Earthquakes dominate your exposure

Earthquakes present your paramount threat, with a 94.94 risk score reflecting proximity to active seismic fault systems—moderate tremors occur regularly and can cause significant structural damage. Tornadoes follow at 66.86, creating a secondary spring threat but far less frequent than seismic events. Floods and wildfires are minimal concerns; your insurance strategy should center on earthquake protection.

Earthquake coverage is non-negotiable

Add comprehensive earthquake insurance to your homeowners policy immediately—Haywood's 94.94 score makes this essential, not optional. Ensure your policy covers both structural damage and contents, and consider retrofitting older homes with seismic bracing to reduce vulnerability. While tornado wind coverage remains prudent for spring season, earthquake protection is your top insurance priority.

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.