countyscore
55.1
County Score
Property Tax 88.4Cost of Living 85.8Disaster Risk 77.5

County Report Card

About Jackson County, Tennessee

Holding Steady Above National Median

Jackson County earns a composite score of 53.2, which is higher than the national median of 50.0. This indicates a baseline quality of life that exceeds half of the counties in the nation.

Beating the State Average

The county's score of 53.2 puts it ahead of the Tennessee average of 51.3. It performs better than many neighboring counties despite some specific infrastructure challenges.

Safety and Extreme Affordability

Jackson County shines with a safety score of 73.1 and a cost score of 79.1. With median home values at $135,200, it provides a secure and very inexpensive housing market.

Economic and Utility Hurdles

Critical challenges exist in income (3.8) and water quality (7.7). A median household income of $41,475 reflects a very difficult local labor market for high earners.

A Retreat for Budget Seekers

This county suits people looking for safety and very low entry costs into homeownership. It is best for retirees or those with remote work who can overlook utility and school system weaknesses.

2040608010088.485.873.11713.28.677.57.758Tax88.4Cost85.8Safety73.1Health17Schools13.2Income8.6Risk77.5Water7.7Weather5855.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average4 below average

Jackson County DNA

Foverall

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

Jackson County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (85.8/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (7.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88.4+36.400000000000006
Cost
85.8+37.8
Safety
73.1+18.099999999999994
Health
17-33
Schools
13.2-40.8
Income
8.6-42.4
Risk
77.5+30.5
Water
7.7-50.3
Weather
58
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Compare mortgage rates in Jackson County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$155,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$758/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$155,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,320/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $47,951/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

8.4

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
Compare Jackson County with Chattahoochee County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Clay County
Tennessee
65.9
Smith County
Tennessee
50
Putnam County
Tennessee
43.8
Overton County
Tennessee
53.8
Macon County
Tennessee
50.1
Monroe County
Kentucky
66.7
Trousdale County
Tennessee
53.9
DeKalb County
Tennessee
49.8

Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jackson County

via TaxByCounty

Jackson County has very low taxes

Jackson County's 0.496% effective tax rate falls in the bottom 20% nationally, well shy of the 0.71% national median. Residents pay only $671 annually—one-quarter the national median of $2,690.

Below state average but typical

Jackson County's 0.496% rate runs below Tennessee's 0.511% state average, ranking it among the lower-taxed half of the state's 95 counties. The median tax of $671 is $345 below the state median of $1,016.

Lowest taxes in the local cluster

Jackson County's 0.496% effective rate is the lowest among its immediate neighbors, beating Humphreys County (0.479%) slightly and well below Hickman (0.567%) and Houston (0.574%). This rural area enjoys relatively modest tax burdens across the board.

What your $135,200 home costs

Jackson County homeowners with the median-valued property pay approximately $671 in annual property taxes. With mortgage-related expenses, the total tax obligation reaches about $874 per year.

Check if you're overassessed

Even modest tax bills deserve a second look. Jackson County residents can file a free assessment appeal if they believe their property value is overstated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jackson County

via IncomeByCounty

Jackson faces severe income gap

Jackson County's median household income of $41,475 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by 44.5%—one of the largest disparities in the nation. This profound gap signals economic distress and limited wage-earning opportunities in the county.

Tennessee's most income-challenged county

Jackson County ranks among Tennessee's lowest-income counties, with $41,475 falling 29.7% below the state average of $58,994. Per capita income of $27,572 stands just 87.6% of the state's $31,458 average.

Significantly behind all rural peers

Jackson's $41,475 median income falls sharply below all neighboring counties: Humphreys ($59,333), Hickman ($57,223), and Houston ($54,475). This isolation suggests unique structural economic challenges requiring targeted intervention.

Housing strain limits financial progress

Jackson County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume nearly one-quarter of household earnings. The median home value of $135,200 strains budgets already compressed by low wages.

Seek support and skill development

Jackson County residents should explore workforce development programs, SNAP benefits, and housing assistance to stabilize finances. Community colleges, apprenticeships, and job retraining can create pathways to better-paying employment and long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Jackson County

via CrimeByCounty

Remarkable Safety in Jackson County

Jackson County is one of the safest in the country with a safety score of 99.0. Its total crime rate of 639.4 per 100,000 is a fraction of the 2,385.5 national average.

Setting the State Benchmark

Jackson County significantly outperforms the Tennessee average safety score of 97.2. It stands as a benchmark for public safety within the state's borders.

Quiet Streets in the Region

Its crime rate is remarkably lower than nearly all surrounding counties. This rural area enjoys a level of peace that is rare in modern statistics.

Low Risk for Residents

Violent crime is rare at only 153.5 per 100,000 residents. Property crime is also minimal at 485.9, meaning residents face very low risk for most offense types.

Preserving Your Peaceful Home

Maintaining this high safety level relies on neighborly awareness and reporting unusual activity. Simple home security systems ensure that property remains protected even in this quiet area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Jackson County

via WeatherByCounty

Moderate climate on the Highland Rim

Jackson County averages 57.3°F annually, placing it slightly above the national median for temperature. The region experiences a humid subtropical climate characterized by distinct seasonal transitions and moderate precipitation.

Slightly cooler than the state average

At 57.3°F, Jackson County is roughly one degree cooler than the Tennessee state average of 58.1°F. Despite this lower average, it experiences more extreme heat spikes than many neighboring counties.

Vulnerable to high-heat spikes

Jackson County endures 48 days of extreme heat annually, which is notably higher than its neighbors to the east. It receives 56.5 inches of annual precipitation, slightly outpacing the state average of 55.9 inches.

Sweltering summers and light snow

Summers are intense with July averages hitting 77.4°F, while winters remain crisp with 4.6 inches of annual snowfall. The 48 days of 90°F weather create a long, demanding cooling season for residents.

Prioritizing hydration and home cooling

The high frequency of 90°F days requires robust air conditioning and regular maintenance of outdoor equipment. Residents should also prepare for light winter icing given the 35.4°F January average.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Jackson County

via SoilByCounty

Elevated soil quality in Jackson

Jackson County earns a soil score of 43.0, outperforming the state average of 38.5. The pH of 5.56 is higher than the Tennessee average of 5.35, though it remains more acidic than the national 6.5 median.

High silt for nutrient retention

The soil is comprised of 56.7% silt, 22.6% sand, and 20.8% clay. This high silt content provides a fertile foundation that is generally easy to work and excellent at holding onto essential plant nutrients.

Reliable water capacity for crops

The organic matter level is 1.95%, nearly matching the national average of 2.0%. With an available water capacity of 0.174 in/in, Jackson County soils hold more moisture for plants than the average Tennessee plot.

Predicting water movement

Detailed drainage class data is not currently recorded for this county's dominant soil units. However, the clay and silt percentages suggest a soil that stays moist without the extreme runoff risks of pure sand.

Diverse planting in Zone 7a

Jackson County's 7a hardiness zone is ideal for cool-season greens and summer staples like squash. The relatively high soil score means your garden has a great head start for a successful harvest.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Jackson County

via LawnByCounty

Favorable Growth in Jackson

Jackson County earns a 53.2 lawn score, indicating conditions are slightly easier than both the national and state averages. This Zone 7a region offers a more favorable environment for turf than many of its Tennessee neighbors.

Ample Rain but High Summer Heat

Summer temperatures are intense, with 48 extreme heat days per year surpassing the state average of 36. An ample 56.5 inches of annual rain helps offset the heat, though it exceeds the ideal 50-inch precipitation cap.

Balancing Clay and Acidity

A soil pH of 5.56 is acidic for most turfgrasses, which generally prefer a range between 6.0 and 7.0. The soil contains a balanced 20.8% clay and 22.6% sand, making drainage management an important local task.

Strong Local Drought Resilience

Jackson has stayed resilient with only 3 weeks of drought over the past year and currently shows no abnormally dry areas. This consistent moisture allows for more flexible watering schedules compared to much of the state.

Timing Seeding for Zone 7a

For this Zone 7a climate, Tall Fescue or Kentucky Bluegrass are popular choices for seeding in early autumn. Ensure major lawn projects are completed between the April 20 spring frost and the October 22 fall frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jackson County's county score?
Jackson County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 55.1 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 Jackson County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Jackson County ranks #29 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 Jackson County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Jackson County is $710, with an effective tax rate of 0.46%. This earns Jackson County a tax score of 88.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jackson County?
The median household income in Jackson County, Tennessee is $47,951 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jackson County earns an income score of 8.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jackson County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Jackson County scores 55.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Jackson 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 Jackson 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.