countyscore
58.4
County Score
Disaster Risk 86.9Water Quality 86Property Tax 80

County Report Card

About Houston County, Tennessee

Outperforming the National Average

Houston County secures a composite score of 59.6, comfortably exceeding the national median of 50.0. This performance suggests a high quality of life relative to the rest of the United States.

A Top Performer in Tennessee

Ranking well above the state average of 51.3, Houston County stands out as one of Tennessee's more livable rural areas. Its 59.6 score highlights a competitive advantage in cost and safety.

Resilience and High Affordability

A remarkable environmental risk score of 86.9 and a cost score of 85.0 define this county's strengths. Median home values sit at an accessible $150,100, making it one of the most affordable spots in the region.

Limited Income Potential and Healthcare

The county struggles with economic opportunity, marked by a low income score of 24.0 and a median household income of $54,475. Additionally, the health score of 21.7 points to a need for better medical services.

Ideal for Retirees and Low-Risk Living

Houston County is perfect for those seeking a quiet, safe, and highly affordable environment. It is particularly well-suited for households with stable outside income who prioritize low environmental risk.

20406080100807559.921.743.332.786.98664.6Tax80Cost75Safety59.9Health21.7Schools43.3Income32.7Risk86.9Water86Weather64.658.4/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Houston County DNA

Foverall

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

Houston County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (86.9/100) but notably weak in Health (21.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
80+28
Cost
75+27
Safety
59.9
Health
21.7-28.3
Schools
43.3-10.700000000000003
Income
32.7-18.299999999999997
Risk
86.9+39.900000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
64.6+8.599999999999994
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Compare mortgage rates in Houston County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$172,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$735/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$172,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$29,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $59,576/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

24.1

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Brown County
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Perry County
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Major County
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Huntingdon County
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Mitchell County
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Median income: $60,550
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Nearby counties

Stewart County
Tennessee
58.9
Humphreys County
Tennessee
52.3
Benton County
Tennessee
56.8
Dickson County
Tennessee
48.4
Montgomery County
Tennessee
38.2
Henry County
Tennessee
54.5
Calloway County
Kentucky
55
Cheatham County
Tennessee
47

Deep Dives

Houston County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Houston County

via TaxByCounty

Houston County taxes rank very low

Houston County's 0.574% effective tax rate places it in the bottom 25% nationally, well below the 0.71% national median. Homeowners pay just $861 annually—less than one-third the national median property tax of $2,690.

Slightly above Tennessee average

At 0.574%, Houston County edges above Tennessee's 0.511% state average, putting it slightly above the median among the state's 95 counties. The county's median tax of $861 runs $155 below the state average of $1,016.

Middle ground in the region

Houston County's rate of 0.574% sits between Jackson County's 0.496% and Hickman County's 0.567%, making it moderate for the area. Only Lake County's exceptional 0.708% rate significantly exceeds Houston's burden in this rural cluster.

What your $150,100 home costs

The typical homeowner in Houston County with a median-valued property pays about $861 annually in property taxes. With mortgage interest and insurance factored in, the estimated annual tax obligation rises to approximately $986.

Appeal if you're overassessed

Many Houston County property owners pay taxes on inflated assessments. A free appeal to your county assessor can challenge your property's assessed value—potentially lowering your bill by hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Houston County

via IncomeByCounty

Houston lags far behind national median

Houston County's median household income of $54,475 falls 27.1% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, marking one of the steeper income gaps in the nation. This disparity reflects limited job diversity and wage stagnation in smaller rural economies.

Among Tennessee's lowest-income counties

At $54,475, Houston ranks below Tennessee's state average of $58,994 and sits among the lower 30% of the state's counties by median household income. Per capita income of $30,169 also falls short of the state's $31,458 average.

Lowest income in immediate area

Houston County's $54,475 median income trails nearby Hickman County ($57,223) and Humphreys County ($59,333), positioning it as the income laggard in this rural cluster. Only Jackson County's $41,475 falls further below.

Housing costs well-managed

Houston County's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio is among the best in the state, meaning renters spend just over one-seventh of earnings on housing. The median home value of $150,100 is notably affordable relative to local incomes.

Leverage affordability for savings

Houston's low cost of living—especially housing—offers residents a rare advantage: the ability to save more despite lower wages. Even modest contributions to emergency funds and retirement accounts compound over time and build long-term security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Houston County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety in Houston County

Houston County boasts an impressive safety score of 98.5. Its total crime rate of 920.9 per 100,000 is less than half the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top Performer in Tennessee

Surpassing the Tennessee average safety score of 97.2, Houston County ranks as one of the more secure areas in the state. Local law enforcement maintains an environment significantly safer than the typical Tennessee county.

Leading Regional Safety Efforts

The county's crime rate is nearly 40% lower than neighboring Humphreys County. This makes Houston a regional leader in public safety metrics.

Understanding the Local Crime Mix

Property crime is very low at 702.8 per 100,000, and the violent crime rate is just 218.1. These numbers translate to a very low probability of encountering crime in daily life.

Keep Houston County Safe

Even in high-safety areas, basic precautions like smart doorbells add an extra layer of defense. Community watch programs help maintain these impressively low statistics.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Houston County

via WeatherByCounty

Warmth above the national median

Houston County maintains an average temperature of 58.4°F, which is warmer than the majority of the United States. Its 54.8 inches of annual rain reflects the high-moisture climate of the Southeast.

Matches state temperature trends

Houston County is slightly warmer than the Tennessee average of 58.1°F. Its precipitation levels are nearly identical to the state norm of 55.9 inches, making it a climate representative for the region.

Consistent with its neighbors

The county shares an identical 58.4°F annual average with Hickman County to the south. Both counties experience similar July averages in the upper 70s, providing a consistent regional climate.

Hot summers and cold spells

Houston County sees 42 days of extreme heat above 90°F, creating a demanding summer season. Winters are chilly with a January average of 36.4°F, though specific snowfall totals are not recorded.

Focus on summer endurance

The 42 days of extreme heat make shade and indoor cooling essential for resident safety. Given the 54.8 inches of rain, waterproof gear and home drainage systems are year-round necessities.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Houston County

via SoilByCounty

The Ultisols of Houston County

Houston County is dominated by Ultisols, which are highly weathered forest soils common across the American South. The average pH of 5.31 is nearly identical to the state average but remains significantly more acidic than the national 6.5 median.

Silt loam provides easy workability

The dominant silt loam texture comes from a blend of 57.4% silt, 20.0% clay, and 19.1% sand. This composition offers a balanced structure that is easier to plow than heavy clay while retaining more nutrients than sandy soils.

Strong water retention despite lower organics

Organic matter levels reach 1.80%, which is lower than the Tennessee average of 2.44%. Despite this, the soil maintains an available water capacity of 0.174 in/in, providing better-than-average hydration for local crops.

Moderately well-drained silt lands

These soils are classified as moderately well-drained and belong to hydrologic group C. This means they have a slow rate of water transmission, which is suitable for many crops but may require drainage solutions for construction.

Abundant options for Zone 7b

Houston County's climate and soil are perfect for timber, pasture, and acid-loving berries. With a little compost to boost organic matter, you can easily establish a productive backyard orchard.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Houston County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Turf Conditions in Houston

Maintaining a lawn in Houston County is a challenge, reflected in a difficulty score of 42.3. This score sits well below both the national median and the Tennessee state average of 48.0.

Intense Heat and High Precipitation

The county experiences 42 extreme heat days annually, exceeding the state average and stressing cool-season grasses. High precipitation of 54.8 inches provides plenty of moisture, though it exceeds the ideal range for many turf species.

Silt Loams and Acidic pH

Silt loam soil here provides moderate drainage but suffers from a very acidic pH of 5.31. To reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for healthy growth, most lawns will require significant lime applications to neutralize the soil.

Managing Dryness in Houston

Currently, 100% of the county is abnormally dry after 19 weeks of drought conditions over the past year. Efficient irrigation and drought-tolerant grass selections are vital during these periods to prevent turf dormancy.

Optimal Planting for Zone 7b

Tall Fescue or Zoysia are robust choices for this climate, with the best planting window opening after April 7. Aim to have new growth established well before the first fall frost arrives around November 3.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Houston County's county score?
Houston County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 58.4 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 Houston County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Houston County ranks #18 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 Houston County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Houston County is $929, with an effective tax rate of 0.54%. This earns Houston County a tax score of 80/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Houston County?
The median household income in Houston County, Tennessee is $59,576 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Houston County earns an income score of 32.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Houston County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Houston County scores 58.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Houston 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 Houston County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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