countyscore
53.2
County Score
Property Tax 86.4Cost of Living 79.1Disaster 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.

Score breakdown

Tax86.4Cost79.1Safety73.1Health17Schools13.2Income3.8Risk77.5Water7.7Weather58
🏛86.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼3.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡73.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤17
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓13.2
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡77.5
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧7.7
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤58
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨43
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱53.2
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Clay County
Tennessee
64.2
Smith County
Tennessee
50.5
Putnam County
Tennessee
44
Overton County
Tennessee
53.2
Macon County
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Monroe County
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Trousdale County
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DeKalb County
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Deep Dives

Jackson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Cost of Living in Jackson County

via CostByCounty

Jackson faces severe national affordability crisis

Jackson County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the worst affordability levels in the nation, driven by a median household income of just $41,475—44% below the national average. Renters here spend nearly a quarter of all earnings on $804/month rent, far exceeding sustainable housing cost benchmarks.

Tennessee's most unaffordable county for renters

Jackson County's 23.3% rent-to-income ratio dramatically exceeds Tennessee's 17.6% state average, making it the state's most strained rental market. The gap of 5.7 percentage points reflects both below-average wages and mid-range housing costs that create acute affordability pressure.

Worst affordability in the entire region

Jackson's 23.3% ratio towers above every surrounding county—Houston (15.1%), Johnson (14.7%), Humphreys (16.8%), and Hickman (18.4%). The $804 rent is mid-range regionally, but when combined with the county's lowest median income ($41,475), it creates an unaffordable squeeze unique to Jackson.

Renters squeezed hardest; homeownership more viable

Jackson renters allocate a punishing 23.3% of the $41,475 median income to $804/month rent, far exceeding the recommended 25% total housing burden. Homeowners fare better at 13.5% ($468/month), and the $135,200 median home value represents just 3.3 years of gross income—making purchase more feasible than renting.

Jackson requires careful financial planning

Jackson County's severe affordability challenges mean renters face unusually high housing costs relative to available income. Consider this county carefully only if employment opportunities or other factors justify the above-average housing burden compared to neighboring alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Jackson County

via HealthByCounty

Jackson County's health below U.S. averages

Jackson County residents have a life expectancy of 71.9 years, roughly 2.6 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. More than one in four residents (25.4%) report poor or fair health, compared to 17.8% nationally. These health gaps reflect significant challenges facing the county.

Jackson ranks 58th among Tennessee counties

At 71.9 years, Jackson County's life expectancy trails Tennessee's 72.4-year state average by 0.5 years. The county's 25.4% poor/fair health rate is among Tennessee's worst, exceeding the state average by 7.3 percentage points. Jackson faces below-average health outcomes statewide.

Poorest primary care access in the region

Jackson County's life expectancy of 71.9 years is lower than Jefferson County (72.9 years) and Johnson County (72.3 years). Most critically, its primary care access is the most limited in the region at just 9 providers per 100K—less than one-fifth of Knox County's 109 per 100K. With 13.8% uninsured, Jackson residents face steep barriers to basic care.

Severe primary care shortage defines local care

Jackson County's 13.8% uninsured rate is the highest among regional peers, leaving thousands without affordable healthcare access. With only 9 primary care providers per 100K, residents often travel far for routine care or skip preventive visits entirely. Mental health data is limited, but the broader provider shortage suggests limited behavioral health capacity.

Take action on health insurance today

With one in seven Jackson County residents uninsured, affordable coverage options are worth exploring immediately. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to see plans in your price range and check eligibility for Medicaid or tax credits. Getting insured removes barriers to care and protects your family's financial health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Jackson County

via SchoolsByCounty

An Essential Public School Foundation

Jackson County provides education to 1,463 students across 4 public schools. The infrastructure includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, all under a single district. This streamlined system serves the entire county with a focused, community-based approach.

Challenges and Opportunities in Performance

The county reports an 82.0% graduation rate, which currently trails the Tennessee state average of 93.3% and the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $5,899, while the overall school score of 46.9 indicates room for academic growth. These metrics highlight the district's ongoing efforts to elevate student achievement to meet state benchmarks.

Traditional Education in Jackson County

The Jackson County school district manages 100% of the public enrollment, with no charter schools operating in the area. This single-district model simplifies the educational landscape for the 1,463 students calling the county home. Local administrators focus on these four core campuses to deliver essential services to the community.

Small Rural Schools and Tight Communities

All schools in Jackson County are classified as rural, with an average school size of 366 students. Jackson County Middle School is the largest with 438 students, while Dodson Branch Elementary is the smallest with 281 students. The rural locale ensures that every school serves as a central hub for its surrounding neighborhood.

Invest in a Community-Focused District

For those seeking a purely rural lifestyle, Jackson County offers a school system where every campus is deeply rooted in the community. Potential homebuyers often look at properties near Gainesboro Elementary or Jackson County High to stay close to central school activities. Consider the personalized feel of a smaller district when exploring local real estate options.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jackson County

via RiskByCounty

Jackson County well below state risk

Jackson County's composite risk score of 22.52 places it in the very low category, nearly 30 points below Tennessee's state average of 52.45. This strong safety profile reflects minimal exposure to most major natural hazards.

Among Tennessee's safest counties

With a score of 22.52, Jackson County ranks among Tennessee's lowest-risk counties for natural disaster exposure. The county substantially beats the state average of 52.45, offering residents considerably better protection than most peers statewide.

Safer than Houston and Johnson

Jackson County (22.52) outperforms Houston County (13.10) on composite risk—though Houston remains the state's safest overall—and significantly beats Johnson County (28.18). Jackson's tornado risk (53.05) is notably higher than both neighbors, representing the county's primary natural hazard.

Tornado risk stands out most

Jackson County's primary natural hazard exposure comes from tornado risk at 53.05, which exceeds the national average and represents the county's most significant threat. Flood risk (36.99) and earthquake risk (46.79) remain moderate, while wildfire and hurricane risks stay low.

Focus on tornado preparedness

Jackson County homeowners should ensure their policies include comprehensive wind and hail coverage to address the county's elevated tornado risk of 53.05. A community safe room or personal shelter plan offers the best additional protection for this primary hazard.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

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 53.2 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 #39 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 $671, with an effective tax rate of 0.50%. This earns Jackson County a tax score of 86.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Jackson County?
The median household income in Jackson County, Tennessee is $41,475 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Jackson County earns an income score of 3.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Jackson County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Jackson County scores 53.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #39 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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