CountyScore

Lake County

Tennessee · TN

#66 in Tennessee
68.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Lake County, Tennessee

Above national norm but income-constrained

Lake County scores 77.2, about 27 points above the national median of 50.0, but this advantage masks extreme income challenges that distinguish it from its peers. The county leads on housing cost metrics while facing the most severe income pressure in the survey.

Slightly above Tennessee average

Lake County's score of 77.2 exceeds Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by 0.9 points, placing it in the mid-to-upper tier statewide despite severe income constraints.

Least expensive housing in survey

Lake County achieves the highest cost score of 91.8 with median gross rent of just $472/month and median home values of $107,000—by far the most affordable in the group. A tax score of 82.3 provides additional savings.

Critically low household incomes

Lake County's income score of 3.3 reflects a median household income of just $30,500, the lowest by far in the survey and well below national and state averages. This severe income constraint limits household financial stability despite housing affordability.

Only for those valuing affordability first

Lake County suits individuals on fixed incomes, retirees with modest pensions, and households prioritizing lowest possible living costs over income growth or economic opportunity. Its extreme affordability cannot offset the income reality for most working families.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.3Cost91.8SafetyComing SoonHealth51.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome3.3Risk52.2WaterComing Soon
🏛82.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼3.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡52.2
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 Lake County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Graham County
Arizona
68.6
Median income: $67,326
Saline County
Arkansas
68.6
Median income: $76,534
Catoosa County
Georgia
68.6
Median income: $72,425
Shoshone County
Idaho
68.6
Median income: $49,975
Cumberland County
Illinois
68.6
Median income: $69,826

Deep Dives

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lake County

via TaxByCounty

Lake County has the highest taxes

Lake County's 0.708% effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.71% and ranks in the top 50% of U.S. counties. Despite lower home values, residents pay $758 annually—representing a higher effective burden than much wealthier areas.

Well above Tennessee average

At 0.708%, Lake County's rate far exceeds Tennessee's 0.511% state average, making it one of the highest-taxed counties in the state. The median tax of $758 is $258 below the state average of $1,016 only because homes here are valued much lower at $107,000.

Dramatically higher than neighbors

Lake County's 0.708% effective rate significantly exceeds all neighboring counties: Jackson (0.496%), Humphreys (0.479%), Houston (0.574%), and Hickman (0.567%). This outlier status places unusual pressure on rural residents with modest incomes and property values.

What your $107,000 home costs

Lake County homeowners with the median-valued property pay approximately $758 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related costs factored in, the total reaches about $893 per year.

Appeal your assessment immediately

Lake County residents face the state's highest effective tax rate and should prioritize assessment challenges. A free appeal with the assessor could reveal overvaluation—especially important in a county with limited property values.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lake County

via CostByCounty

Lake County faces extreme national poverty

Lake County's median household income of $30,500 is less than 41% of the national average, making it one of America's poorest counties. The 18.6% rent-to-income ratio masks severe underlying deprivation: despite the lowest median rent ($472/month) in the region, residents struggle with the lowest incomes and most limited economic opportunity.

Tennessee's poorest county with strained housing

Lake County's $30,500 median household income ranks as Tennessee's lowest among counties studied, while its 18.6% rent-to-income ratio sits above the state average of 17.6%. This combination reflects a poverty crisis where even modest rents ($472/month) consume disproportionate shares of severely limited household earnings.

Cheapest rent, but bleakest economic picture

Lake's $472 median rent is the region's lowest by far—$213 below Houston and $332 below Jefferson—yet the county's $30,500 income dwarfs all neighbors by 37-52%. No amount of low rent compensates for the county's systemic poverty and lack of robust employment options.

Renters stretched despite lowest rents anywhere

Lake County renters dedicate 18.6% of the $30,500 median income to $472/month rent—a theoretical bargain that nonetheless consumes nearly a fifth of severely limited earnings. Homeowners fare comparatively better at 22% ($559/month), and the $107,000 median home value represents 3.5 years of gross income—daunting for a county with minimal economic mobility.

Lake County requires careful economic assessment

While Lake County offers the region's cheapest rent ($472/month), its extreme poverty and limited job market create serious relocation risks. Consider this county only if you have secure outside income, remote employment, or strong ties to a specific employer—low rent alone cannot offset systemic economic challenges.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lake County

via IncomeByCounty

Lake faces acute income crisis

Lake County's median household income of $30,500 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by a staggering 59.2%—among the lowest in America. This severe disparity reflects extreme economic distress and limited employment opportunities.

Tennessee's poorest county by income

Lake County ranks as Tennessee's lowest-income county, with $30,500 falling 48.3% below the state average of $58,994. Per capita income of $16,275 is just 51.7% of the state's $31,458 average, signaling systemic economic collapse.

Isolated in poverty among all peers

Lake County's $30,500 falls catastrophically below all neighboring counties: Jackson ($41,475), Houston ($54,475), Hickman ($57,223), and Humphreys ($59,333). No regional county comes close to Lake's income deprivation.

Housing costs dominate household budgets

Lake County's 18.6% rent-to-income ratio masks the true burden: with such low incomes, even modest housing costs consume substantial portions of earnings after basic necessities. The median home value of $107,000 is difficult to afford without substantial assistance.

Access emergency assistance and training

Lake County residents should immediately explore federal poverty assistance programs, food banks, and emergency aid. Workforce development programs, community college training in high-demand fields, and job placement services are critical first steps toward economic stability and future wealth building.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lake County

via HealthByCounty

Lake County faces the steepest health challenges

Lake County residents have a life expectancy of 70.3 years, the lowest among all county peers and 4.2 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. An alarming 29.0% report poor or fair health—the highest rate in the region and well above the 17.8% national average. Lake County faces severe, urgent health challenges.

Lake ranks 94th among Tennessee's 95 counties

Lake County's 70.3-year life expectancy is 2.1 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average, placing it second-to-last statewide. At 29.0%, its poor/fair health rate is the worst in Tennessee, exceeding the state average by 10.9 percentage points. Lake County faces the most severe health crisis in the state.

Severe disparities compared to all regional peers

Lake County's 70.3-year life expectancy is the lowest by far—trailing Houston (70.9 years) by 0.6 years and Jefferson (72.9 years) by 2.6 years. Its 29.0% poor/fair health rate devastatingly exceeds all neighbors; Jefferson County's is 19.1% by comparison. At 13.8% uninsured, Lake matches Jackson County's regional high.

Severe provider shortage compounds health crisis

One in eight Lake County residents (13.8%) lack health insurance, the region's second-highest rate, limiting access to preventive and urgent care. Primary care provider data is unavailable, but the poor health outcomes suggest severe access barriers. With only 47 mental health providers per 100K, behavioral health support is also strained.

Health coverage is your first critical step

With Lake County facing extraordinary health challenges, securing affordable coverage is urgent. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 immediately to explore Marketplace plans and Medicaid eligibility—coverage could be free or very low-cost. Taking action today on insurance is taking action on your family's health and survival.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lake County

via RiskByCounty

Lake County moderately below state risk

Lake County scores 47.84 on the composite risk scale, placing it slightly below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 in the relatively low category. This positioning reflects moderate natural hazard exposure, though concentrated in specific and severe disaster types.

Lower-risk among Tennessee counties

With a score of 47.84, Lake County ranks below the state average of 52.45 among Tennessee's 95 counties. The county experiences moderate overall risk but benefits from exceptionally low flood (8.84) and wildfire (1.81) exposure that offsets other hazards.

Unique profile compared to peers

Lake County (47.84) scores slightly higher than Hickman County (47.17) but maintains a very different hazard mix—featuring exceptional flood safety but dramatically higher earthquake risk (93.07 vs. 82.22). This unique profile makes Lake County's risk concentrated rather than distributed.

Earthquake dominates, floods minimal

Lake County faces exceptional earthquake risk at 93.07—among the highest in the state—overshadowing its remarkably low flood (8.84) and wildfire (1.81) exposure. Tornado risk (53.72) remains moderate, creating a concentrated rather than compound hazard profile.

Earthquake coverage is essential

Lake County homeowners should prioritize earthquake insurance given the county's 93.07 earthquake risk score, as standard policies exclude seismic damage. The county's exceptional flood safety means flood insurance is less critical, but a comprehensive insurance review should still address all hazards.

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.