countyscore
40.8
County Score
Property Tax 88.3Water Quality 86Income & Jobs 70.6

County Report Card

About Knox County, Tennessee

Struggling Against National Averages

Knox County's composite score of 40.8 falls significantly below the national median of 50.0. High costs and urban risks drag down its overall national standing.

Well Below Tennessee Norms

Knox County trails the Tennessee average of 51.3 by over ten points. Despite being a major hub, its score reflects the pressures of density and rising living expenses.

High Incomes and Strong Utilities

The county leads the region with a 70.6 income score and a median household income of $71,662. It also maintains excellent water quality with a score of 86.0.

High Risk and Low Safety

Safety (11.3) and environmental risk (7.9) are major concerns for the county. Urban density contributes to these lower scores, alongside a cost score of just 20.4.

Built for High-Earning Professionals

This county suits career-focused individuals who value high salaries and urban amenities over quiet or low costs. It is a trade-off where economic opportunity comes at the price of safety and affordability.

2040608010088.320.411.350.234.970.67.98665.9Tax88.3Cost20.4Safety11.3Health50.2Schools34.9Income70.6Risk7.9Water86Weather65.940.8/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Knox County DNA

Foverall

How Knox County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Knox County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (88.3/100) but notably weak in Safety (11.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
88.3+36.3
Cost
20.4-27.6
Safety
11.3-43.7
Health
50.2
Schools
34.9-19.1
Income
70.6+19.599999999999994
Risk
7.9-39.1
Water
86+28
Weather
65.9+9.900000000000006
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$279,700

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,180/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$279,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$47,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,662/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.5

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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Nearby counties

Anderson County
Tennessee
45.1
Blount County
Tennessee
53.4
Union County
Tennessee
54.6
Jefferson County
Tennessee
53.8
Loudon County
Tennessee
54.4
Sevier County
Tennessee
46.8
Grainger County
Tennessee
60.6
Campbell County
Tennessee
50.9

Deep Dives

Knox County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Knox County

via TaxByCounty

Knox County's taxes are below average

Knox County's 0.476% effective tax rate falls in the bottom 20% nationally, well below the 0.71% national median. Despite higher property values, the median annual tax of $1,332 remains just half the national median of $2,690.

Slightly below Tennessee average

Knox County's 0.476% rate runs slightly below Tennessee's 0.511% state average, positioning it in the lower-tax half of the state's 95 counties. The median tax of $1,332 exceeds the state average of $1,016 due to higher median home values of $279,700.

Higher values, lower rates than neighbors

Knox County's median home value of $279,700 is substantially higher than rural neighbors like Jackson County ($135,200) and Houston County ($150,100), yet its 0.476% rate beats most regional counties. Only Jefferson County (0.471%) and Johnson County (0.384%) tax at lower effective rates.

What your $279,700 home costs

Knox County homeowners with the median-valued property pay approximately $1,332 annually in property taxes. With mortgage and insurance considerations, the total climbs to around $1,364 per year.

Knoxville-area homeowners should appeal

Knox County's rapid growth has led to numerous property reassessments. A free appeal with the assessor can challenge inflated valuations and potentially reduce your annual tax bill substantially.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Knox County

via CostByCounty

Knox ranks above national affordability pressure

Knox County's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national benchmark, driven by a median rent of $1,180/month—the region's highest. However, the county's strong median household income of $71,662 (nearly at the national average of $74,755) partially absorbs this premium housing cost burden.

Tennessee's least affordable county for renters

Knox County's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio is the worst among all Tennessee counties studied, exceeding the state average of 17.6% by 2.2 percentage points. The median rent of $1,180 dwarfs the state average of $860, reflecting Knox's status as Tennessee's urban affordability outlier.

Dramatically higher costs than all rural peers

Knox's $1,180 median rent vastly exceeds every rural neighbor—$495 above Houston, $541 above Johnson, and $300 above Jefferson. The 19.8% ratio tops every county in the region, making Knox the price leader for housing in this Tennessee market.

High rent and high home values mark the county

Renters in Knox dedicate 19.8% of the $71,662 median income to $1,180/month rent, while homeowners invest 18.2% in monthly ownership costs ($1,088/month). The $279,700 median home value—the region's highest—requires nearly 4.7 years of gross household income, a substantial barrier for first-time buyers.

Knox suits those prioritizing urban opportunities

Knox County's high housing costs reflect Tennessee's strongest urban economy and job market, centered on Knoxville. Relocate here if career growth and urban amenities justify the $1,180 rent and $279,700 median home value, significantly above all rural alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Knox County

via IncomeByCounty

Knox nears national income levels

Knox County's median household income of $71,662 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by just 4.1%, positioning it among Tennessee's highest-performing counties. This reflects Knoxville's role as a regional economic and educational hub.

Tennessee's income leader by far

At $71,662, Knox County ranks as the highest-income county in Tennessee, 21.5% above the state average of $58,994. Per capita income of $41,957 exceeds the state average by 33.3%, reflecting higher education and professional employment.

Significantly outearns rural counterparts

Knox County's $71,662 far surpasses all regional rural counties: Jefferson ($63,084), Humphreys ($59,333), Hickman ($57,223), and Houston ($54,475). The gap reflects urban concentration, university employment, and regional corporate headquarters.

Housing still strains budgets

Despite higher incomes, Knox's 19.8% rent-to-income ratio suggests housing costs consume nearly one-fifth of household earnings. The median home value of $279,700 means homeownership requires substantial down payments and mortgages.

Maximize professional wealth-building tools

Knox County's higher-income households should take full advantage of employer retirement plans, HSAs, and investment accounts. Working with a fiduciary financial advisor to optimize tax strategies and diversify assets can substantially amplify long-term wealth creation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Knox County

via CrimeByCounty

Urban Challenges in Knox County

Knox County faces more challenges with a safety score of 95.8. Its total crime rate of 2,662.8 per 100,000 exceeds the national average of 2,385.5.

Safety Below the State Average

The county sits below the Tennessee average safety score of 97.2. As an urban hub, it experiences higher crime frequency than the state's more rural districts.

Knoxville's Regional Impact

Knox County has a crime rate nearly double that of neighboring Jefferson County. The higher density of Knoxville contributes to these elevated incident counts.

Property and Violent Crime Data

Property crimes reach 2,186.1 per 100,000, while violent crime sits at 476.7. Residents should be aware that both categories are higher here than national benchmarks.

Priority for Urban Security

Investing in a comprehensive home security system is recommended for urban residents. Joining a local neighborhood watch program helps coordinate safety efforts with police.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Knox County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Massive Urban and Suburban Infrastructure

Knox County boasts a sprawling educational system with 97 public schools serving a total of 63,828 students. The vast network includes 54 elementary schools, 18 middle schools, and 21 high schools. It is one of the state's most diverse systems, offering city, suburban, and rural learning environments.

Large-Scale Performance and Significant Investment

The county maintains a 90.8% graduation rate, which sits slightly below the state average of 93.3% but remains above the national benchmark. With per-pupil spending at $5,970, the county allocates significant resources to its large student population. The overall school score of 51.7 reflects the complexities of managing academic success across nearly 100 campuses.

Diverse Districts and Charter Presence

Knox County Schools is the primary district, managing 93 schools and over 60,000 students, including one charter school. The county also hosts the Tennessee Schools for the Deaf, which serves 144 students across three specialized campuses. This mix of large-scale public education and specialized institutions defines the local academic landscape.

From Urban Centers to Suburban Academies

The county features 54 city schools and 33 suburban schools, with an average school size of 672 students. Large institutions like Hardin Valley Academy and Farragut High School each serve over 2,000 students, creating a bustling, high-energy atmosphere. This variety ensures that families can find an environment that fits their child's specific social and academic needs.

Explore Vibrant Neighborhoods Near Top Schools

Knox County offers unparalleled variety for homebuyers, from urban lofts to suburban estates near prestigious high schools. Properties in the Farragut or Hardin Valley areas are often prized for their proximity to the county's largest and most modern educational facilities. Find your place in a county that offers the most diverse educational choices in the region.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Knox County

via RiskByCounty

Knox County faces highest state risks

Knox County scores 92.11 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively moderate category and significantly above Tennessee's state average of 52.45. This elevated rating reflects substantial exposure across nearly all major natural hazard types.

Highest-risk county in Tennessee

With a score of 92.11, Knox County ranks as Tennessee's highest-risk county for natural disaster exposure, nearly double the state average of 52.45. The county faces compounding hazards across tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, and windstorms—requiring comprehensive preparedness.

Far exceeds neighboring counties

Knox County (92.11) dramatically outpaces all neighboring counties in composite risk, with scores nearly 2-3 times higher than surrounding areas. The county's tornado risk (96.72) and earthquake risk (96.76) both rank among the nation's highest, substantially exceeding regional peers.

Multiple severe hazards converge

Knox County faces exceptional tornado risk (96.72) and earthquake risk (96.76)—among the highest in the nation—while also dealing with significant flood risk (92.78) and elevated wildfire exposure (62.98). This convergence of multiple major hazards makes Knox one of Tennessee's most disaster-prone counties.

Comprehensive multi-hazard coverage critical

Knox County homeowners should obtain full coverage for tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, and windstorms through policies or additional riders, as standard homeowners insurance excludes floods and earthquakes. Safe room construction, emergency supplies, and detailed family disaster plans are essential given the county's exceptional, compounding hazard exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Knox County

via WaterByCounty

Knox County Maintains Flawless Compliance Grade

Despite its large population, Knox County earns an 'A' grade with zero health violations in five years. Its violation rate of 0.0 per 100,000 is significantly better than the Tennessee average of 34.6. This demonstrates high infrastructure resilience and effective treatment protocols.

Half of Knox County Waterways Are Impaired

Exactly 50% of the 96 assessed water bodies in Knox County fail to meet Clean Water Act standards. This impairment rate is much higher than the Tennessee average of 30.2%, driven by urban runoff and E. coli. The 2022 reporting cycle identifies 48 sites requiring restoration efforts.

Tennessee's Leading Monitoring Network in Knox

With 104 monitoring sites and 17,663 measurements, Knox County has one of the state's most scrutinized watersheds. Monitoring efforts focus on inorganic metals and nutrients, reflecting the county's urbanized landscape. This massive data set allows for precise tracking of contamination trends.

Beaver Creek Flowing at 24% of Normal

The USGS gauge at Beaver Creek at Solway shows a current discharge of 35 cfs, which is just 24% of the long-term mean. This low flow in the 87 square mile drainage area can exacerbate the effects of existing pollution. Low volumes mean there is less water to dilute the runoff typical of an urban area.

Urban Runoff Impacts Local Water Health

While tap water is safe and compliant, 50% of local streams suffer from E. coli and siltation. Low flow levels at 24% of typical volumes increase the concentration of these pollutants in local creeks. Residents should use caution during water-contact recreation and work to reduce urban runoff from their properties.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Knox County

via WeatherByCounty

Balanced four-season valley climate

Knox County averages 57.9°F annually, sitting roughly 4 degrees above the national median temperature. It experiences a typical humid subtropical climate with warm summers and manageable winters.

Mirroring the Tennessee state average

At 57.9°F, Knox County almost perfectly aligns with the Tennessee state average of 58.1°F. It serves as a climate benchmark for the eastern part of the state, neither extremely hot nor cold.

Standard rainfall for the region

The county receives 55.8 inches of annual precipitation, nearly identical to the state average of 55.9 inches. It maintains a warmer profile than the nearby Smoky Mountain counties but stays cooler than the Mississippi River valley.

Sunny summers and crisp winters

July brings an average of 77.2°F with 36 days of extreme heat reaching 90°F or higher. Winters are temperate, with a January average of 37.1°F and infrequent heavy snow events.

Versatile home climate control

Residents should prepare for high humidity in the summer and occasional freezing rain in the winter. While snowfall data is limited, the 39.5°F winter average suggests that winter weather mostly results in rain or slush.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Knox County

via SoilByCounty

Weathered Ultisols of the Valley

Knox County’s soil is classified as Ultisols, which are older, highly weathered soils. The average pH is 5.12, which is more acidic than the Tennessee state average of 5.35 and much lower than the national median of 6.5.

Knox County’s silt loam mix

The soil is a silt loam texture featuring 43.0% silt, 29.2% sand, and 20.9% clay. This combination provides a relatively stable surface for development while remaining workable for agricultural use.

Lower nutrient and water levels

Organic matter is relatively low at 1.42%, trailing the state average of 2.44%. The available water capacity of 0.152 in/in is also below the state average of 0.171, suggesting a need for supplemental irrigation during dry spells.

Well-drained but low infiltration

The soil is well-drained but belongs to hydrologic group D, which indicates very low infiltration rates when thoroughly wet. This can lead to high runoff during heavy storms, a critical factor for urban planning in Knoxville.

Urban gardening in Zone 7b

Zone 7b supports everything from kale to tomatoes. To compensate for the low organic matter, incorporate plenty of compost and use raised beds to manage the soil's drainage characteristics.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Knox County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Landscapes in Knox

Knox County faces tougher conditions with a lawn difficulty score of 43.5, falling below the national median of 50.0. Maintaining a lush lawn here requires more intervention than the Tennessee average of 48.0 suggests.

High Humidity and Rainfall

The county sees 36 extreme heat days annually, matching the state average. Precipitation of 55.8 inches is slightly high, which can occasionally lead to fungal issues in the humid Tennessee summers.

Excellent Drainage, Low pH

Well-drained silt loam provides an excellent physical environment for root growth, but the pH of 5.12 is quite acidic. Regular soil testing and lime applications are required to reach the 6.0-7.0 sweet spot for grass.

Smart Watering During Dry Spells

After 18 weeks of drought last year, the entire county is currently listed as abnormally dry. Focus on deep watering early in the morning to minimize evaporation and help turf survive the peak summer heat.

Establishment Timing in Zone 7b

Hybrid Bermuda or Zoysia are strong performers in Zone 7b, particularly during the hot summer months. The best growing window falls between the last spring frost on April 11 and the first fall frost on October 28.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Knox County's county score?
Knox County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 40.8 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 Knox County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Knox County ranks #88 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 Knox County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Knox County is $1,332, with an effective tax rate of 0.48%. This earns Knox County a tax score of 88.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Knox County?
The median household income in Knox County, Tennessee is $71,662 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Knox County earns an income score of 70.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Knox County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Knox County scores 40.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #88 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Knox 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 Knox County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.