CountyScore

Henderson County

Tennessee · TN

#52 in Tennessee
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Henderson County, Tennessee

Henderson delivers well above national livability standard

Henderson County's composite score of 78.1 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 28 points, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This reflects strong fundamentals in both tax burden and housing costs.

Outperforms Tennessee's livability average

Henderson's 78.1 score surpasses Tennessee's state average of 76.3, ranking it among the state's most livable counties. It competes favorably with the state's strongest performers.

Exceptional taxes and strong affordability

Henderson leads with a tax score of 89.1 and the lowest effective tax rate at 0.469%, combined with a cost score of 84.8 and median home value of $156,000. Rents average just $812 monthly, making it highly affordable.

Income opportunities remain below state averages

The income score of 18.3 reflects median household income of $53,471, limiting economic advancement relative to higher-scoring counties. Safety, health, school, and water data are not yet available.

Excellent choice for tax-savvy value seekers

Henderson County appeals to households prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing while maintaining reasonable income levels through remote work or external sources. It's less ideal for those seeking rapid local wage growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.1Cost84.8SafetyComing SoonHealth59.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.3Risk36.9WaterComing Soon
🏛89.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡36.9
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 Henderson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Henderson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Henderson County

via TaxByCounty

Henderson below national tax average

Henderson County's effective tax rate of 0.469% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.51%, offering relative tax relief. The median property tax of $732 on homes worth $156,000 represents just 27% of the national median of $2,690, benefiting from both lower rates and modest home values.

Low-tax county in Tennessee

Henderson County's effective rate of 0.469% falls below Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, ranking among the state's more affordable counties. Its median annual tax of $732 is approximately 72% of the state median of $1,016, placing it in the lower-tax tier statewide.

Henderson among region's lowest taxers

At 0.469%, Henderson County's rate is lower than all neighbors except Hardin County (0.432%) and Hancock County (0.452%), making it one of the region's most tax-friendly options. It sits well below higher-taxing neighbors like Hawkins (0.563%) and Hamilton (0.669%).

Median home costs $732 yearly

A typical Henderson County home valued at $156,000 generates approximately $732 in annual property taxes at the 0.469% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay slightly more ($866), while those owning outright pay less ($676).

Verify your assessment for savings

Even in a low-tax county, Henderson homeowners benefit from confirming their assessments are accurate. Comparing your assessed value to recent comparable sales could reveal overvaluation and unlock additional savings on already modest tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Henderson County

via CostByCounty

Henderson near national housing norm

Henderson County renters spend 18.2% of income on rent, slightly above the national average of roughly 18%. Median household income of $53,471 trails the national median of $74,755 by a quarter, but housing costs remain manageable relative to earnings.

Better than most Tennessee counties

Henderson County's 18.2% rent-to-income ratio sits above Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, but only marginally—placing it in the better half of state county rankings. The $812 median rent slightly exceeds the state average of $860.

Mid-range costs and wages

Henderson's $812 rent ranks higher than Hawkins ($744) and Haywood ($725), while household income ($53,471) sits between Henry ($48,540) and Hawkins ($55,278). The county occupies comfortable middle ground regionally.

Ownership cheaper than renting

Renters spend $812 monthly while homeowners pay $592—a $220 gap favoring ownership on a median income of $4,456. After housing, renting households have roughly $3,600 for other needs, though ownership provides better cash flow.

Solid option for budget-conscious buyers

Henderson County offers slightly above-average affordability paired with reasonable wages—particularly attractive if you can buy rather than rent. The $220 monthly gap between renting and owning suggests that accumulating down payment savings here is achievable.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Henderson County

via IncomeByCounty

Henderson County income moderately below national

Henderson County's median household income of $53,471 is 28% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting rural economic conditions common across West Tennessee. The income gap illustrates limited access to high-wage professional and technical jobs available in larger metro areas.

Close to Tennessee state average

Henderson County earns 9% below Tennessee's state median of $58,994, positioning it slightly below the state average. Per capita income of $27,722 trails the state average of $31,458, but the difference is modest, suggesting average earning patterns for rural Tennessee.

Upper-middle position regionally

Henderson County's $53,471 median income ranks above most comparable rural counties including Henry ($48,540), Hardeman ($46,173), and Haywood ($43,513), but trails Hawkins ($55,278) by approximately $1,800. The county represents a stable middle ground in rural West Tennessee's income spectrum.

Housing costs stay manageable

A rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% keeps housing costs well below the 30% affordability threshold, making rent sustainable for most households. With a median home value of $156,000 and moderate household incomes, homeownership remains achievable with reasonable financial discipline.

Build on Henderson's stability

Henderson County residents should prioritize directing 5–10% of gross income into dedicated savings or retirement accounts, building a cushion for emergencies and retirement. Explore whether local employers offer matched 401(k) contributions or pension plans—even small matching contributions accelerate wealth accumulation over decades.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Henderson County

via HealthByCounty

Henderson County lags behind national health

At 71.7 years, Henderson County's life expectancy falls 4.7 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 23.8% of residents reporting poor or fair health—above the national 21%—chronic disease management remains a pressing challenge.

Below-average health rank statewide

Henderson County's 71.7-year life expectancy trails Tennessee's 72.4-year average by 0.7 years, placing it in the state's lower-performing tier. Its 23.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state experience, signaling higher chronic disease burden.

Mid-tier health outcomes in region

Henderson County's 71.7-year life expectancy outpaces Hancock, Hardeman, and Hardin but falls below Hamilton and Henry. Its 23.8% poor/fair health rate ranks middle-of-pack among the eight counties, similar to Henry (23.6%).

Moderate primary care, limited mental health

Henderson County has 18 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below-average—and just 57 mental health providers per 100,000, limiting behavioral health access. An 11.6% uninsured rate means coverage gaps further constrain care options for vulnerable residents.

Coverage bridges the provider gap

Henderson County's 11.6% uninsured rate compounds limited primary and mental health provider networks. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to secure coverage, ensuring you can access available providers and connect with telehealth resources when local options are scarce.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Henderson County

via RiskByCounty

Henderson County above-average earthquake risk

Henderson County scores 63.10 on the composite risk index, earning a "Relatively Low" rating and sitting above Tennessee's average of 52.45. Earthquakes dominate at 92.62, making seismic hazard the county's defining natural disaster concern, while tornadoes (80.03) pose a secondary spring threat. Flood, wildfire, and hurricane risks remain moderate to low, making Henderson earthquake-centric.

High earthquake risk, moderate overall rank

Henderson County ranks mid-tier statewide for overall disaster risk but sits in the top tier for earthquake exposure, with a 92.62 score reflecting significant seismic vulnerability. Its tornado risk of 80.03 places it in the upper-middle range of Tennessee counties, while flood and wildfire risks lag well behind. Earthquakes account for the bulk of Henderson's natural disaster exposure.

Riskier than Hancock, less than Hardin

Henderson County's 63.10 score sits safely above Hancock County's exceptional 11.93 but below Hardin County's 70.71, positioning it as regionally moderate. Its 92.62 earthquake score nearly matches Haywood County's 94.94, making both counties seismic hot spots. Unlike Hardin, Henderson's tornado risk (80.03) is high but not extreme, giving it a more earthquake-skewed profile.

Earthquakes and tornadoes merit action

Earthquakes are your dominant hazard at 92.62, with moderate tremors occurring regularly from nearby fault systems and capable of damaging structures, especially older buildings. Tornadoes rank second at 80.03, creating seasonal spring risk from March through May. Floods and wildfires remain minimal concerns; your risk mitigation should focus on seismic and tornado resilience.

Bundle earthquake and windstorm coverage

Add earthquake insurance to your homeowners policy now—Henderson's 92.62 score demands this protection given the region's active fault systems and frequent tremor activity. Include windstorm/hail riders for tornado protection, especially important during spring months. Review your combined earthquake and tornado coverage annually to maintain adequate limits as your home's value appreciates.

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.