countyscore
47.1
County Score
Cost of Living 94.5Water Quality 86Weather & Climate 65.3

County Report Card

About Lake County, Tennessee

Below the National Median

Lake County posts a composite score of 47.1, sitting below the national median of 50.0. The county faces systemic challenges that impact its overall livability ranking.

Trailing the State Average

At 47.1, Lake County remains below the Tennessee average of 51.3. It struggles to compete with more prosperous counties in the central and eastern parts of the state.

Maximum Affordability and Good Water

Lake County features an incredible cost score of 94.5, with median rent at only $472. Water quality also scores high at 86.0, providing a reliable resource for residents.

Severe Economic and Health Gaps

The income score is nearly zero (0.3), reflecting a median household income of just $30,500. A health score of 10.6 further highlights a lack of medical infrastructure.

A Choice for Extreme Frugality

Lake County is best for those with external financial support or minimal needs who prioritize the lowest possible housing costs. It offers a path to debt-free living if local income and healthcare are not priorities.

2040608010062.294.532.710.627.10.352.28665.3Tax62.2Cost94.5Safety32.7Health10.6Schools27.1Income0.3Risk52.2Water86Weather65.347.1/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Lake County DNA

Foverall

How Lake County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Lake County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (94.5/100) but notably weak in Income (0.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
62.2+10.200000000000003
Cost
94.5+46.5
Safety
32.7-22.299999999999997
Health
10.6-39.4
Schools
27.1-26.9
Income
0.3-50.7
Risk
52.2
Water
86+28
Weather
65.3+9.299999999999997
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Many homeowners in Lake County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$107,000

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$472/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$107,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$18,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $30,500/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

29.9

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

Pemiscot County
Missouri
34.6
New Madrid County
Missouri
38.1
Dyer County
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44.8
Fulton County
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Obion County
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Dunklin County
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Gibson County
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Mississippi County
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Deep Dives

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Lake County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety Scores in Lake County

Lake County holds a safety score of 97.5, reflecting a generally secure atmosphere. The total crime rate of 1,580.2 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Reliable Safety Standards

Lake County performs slightly better than the Tennessee average safety score of 97.2. It maintains a respectable rank among the state's westernmost counties.

Comparing West Tennessee Neighbors

The county's crime profile is comparable to its rural neighbors but stays well below state averages. It provides a peaceful environment away from the higher rates found in regional cities.

Local Crime Rate Nuance

Property crime is moderate at 1,188.8 per 100,000, while violent crime is 391.4. This means violent crime is slightly above the national average, though total crime remains low.

Maintaining Residential Security

Ensure all windows and doors have sturdy locks to deter property crimes. Simple alarm systems provide peace of mind in this rural community.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Lake County

via SchoolsByCounty

Intimate Learning in Tennessee's Corner

Lake County operates one of the state's smallest school systems, with just 3 public schools serving 749 total students. The infrastructure is simple and direct: one elementary, one middle, and one high school. This small scale ensures that every student's progress is closely monitored by the community.

High Investment in a Developing System

The county invests $6,839 per pupil, which is notably higher than the state average of $6,215. However, the graduation rate stands at 84.0%, trailing both state and national averages. The county's school score of 50.0 matches the national median, indicating a system that is working to translate its high per-pupil spending into better outcomes.

One District Focusing on Every Student

The Lake County school district is the sole provider of education for the county's 749 students. No charter schools exist in this rural area, concentrating all local educational efforts into the three existing campuses. This centralized focus is vital for a district of this size to manage resources and student support effectively.

Small Rural Schools and Personalized Attention

The entire school landscape is rural, with an average school size of 250 students. Lara Kendall Elementary is the largest campus with 340 students, while Lake Co High School is one of the smallest high schools in the state with only 199 students. This environment offers a level of personal interaction and familiarity rarely found in larger counties.

Discover a Close-Knit Educational Community

Lake County is ideal for families seeking a place where every teacher knows every student's name. Homes near Lara Kendall Elementary or Margaret Newton Elementary offer a peaceful, rural lifestyle with easy access to the county's small school network. Consider the unique benefits of a compact school district when choosing your next home in West Tennessee.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Lake County

via WaterByCounty

Lake County achieves perfect Drinking Water Score

The county maintains an 'A' grade with zero health violations reported over the last five years. This 0.0 violation rate is far superior to the Tennessee average of 34.6 per 100,000 residents. Despite its small size, the county's water systems show high reliability and safety.

Watershed Impairments Exceed Local Expectations

Approximately 46.7% of the 15 assessed water bodies in Lake County are classified as impaired. This exceeds the state average of 30.2%, with problems largely tied to habitat alterations and low dissolved oxygen. The 2022 assessment highlights significant ecological stress in these 7 impaired sites.

Diverse Testing Profiles Across Eight Sites

The county has 8 monitoring sites that have recorded ,1,244 measurements in the last five years. Testing covers a wide array of groups including physical traits, metals, and organics. This data is essential for addressing the high 46.7% impairment rate in the local watershed.

No Federal Streamgages Active in Lake County

There are no active USGS streamgages in Lake County currently reporting to the federal NWIS system. This absence of live data makes it difficult to track real-time changes in streamflow or discharge. Community planners rely on historical monitoring data and periodic field samples instead.

Protect Habitats to Improve Water Health

With nearly 47% of local water bodies impaired by habitat changes, local conservation is a top priority. While the county's drinking water compliance is a perfect 'A', the health of local streams requires attention to dissolved oxygen levels. Supporting local wetland and habitat restoration can help improve these watershed scores.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Soil Quality in Lake County

via SoilByCounty

Elite Mollisols of the Mississippi

Lake County boasts a remarkable soil score of 64.5, by far the highest in this group. Its pH of 6.57 is nearly neutral, matching the national median and far exceeding the Tennessee state average of 5.35.

Rich silty clay deposits

The soil is a heavy silty clay, containing 50.6% silt and 27.9% clay. This high clay content allows the soil to hold onto massive amounts of nutrients, making it some of the most productive land in the state.

Superior water and organic levels

The soil features an impressive available water capacity of 0.184 in/in, well above the state average. While the 2.20% organic matter is slightly below the state average, it is higher than the national average and supports intense crop growth.

Managing heavy, wet soils

These soils are somewhat poorly drained and fall into the C/D hydrologic group. Because they are so heavy and hold so much water, they can be prone to saturation and may require careful management to prevent compaction.

Agricultural powerhouse in Zone 7b

This is prime land for cotton, soybeans, and high-yield vegetable farming. The naturally neutral pH means most garden crops will thrive here with very little adjustment—just start planting!

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lake County

via LawnByCounty

Superior Lawn Conditions in Lake

Lake County earns a 56.3 lawn score, making it easier to maintain turf here than in many other parts of Tennessee. This Zone 7b county outperforms both the national average and the state average of 48.0.

Intense Heat and Ample Rain

With 49 extreme heat days, this is one of the warmest summer environments in the state. Precipitation of 52.0 inches is slightly above the ideal range but provides ample moisture for heat-tolerant grass species.

Ideal Soil Chemistry for Growth

Lake County features some of the best soil chemistry in the state with a pH of 6.57, sitting right in the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. The silty clay texture is somewhat poorly drained, so homeowners must be careful not to overwater.

Managing Clay Soil in Drought

The county experienced 21 weeks of drought over the past year, and 100% of the area is currently abnormally dry. Since clay-heavy soil holds water longer, wait for the top inch of soil to dry before irrigating again.

Heat-Tolerant Choices for Zone 7b

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda or St. Augustine are excellent choices for the high-heat environment of Lake County. While local frost dates vary, late spring is generally the safest time to establish new sod in this zone.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lake County's county score?
Lake County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 47.1 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 Lake County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Lake County ranks #66 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 Lake County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Lake County is $758, with an effective tax rate of 0.71%. This earns Lake County a tax score of 62.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lake County?
The median household income in Lake County, Tennessee is $30,500 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lake County earns an income score of 0.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lake County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Lake County scores 47.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #66 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Lake 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 Lake 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.