countyscore
47.5
County Score
Cost of Living 95.5Water 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.

204060801006495.532.710.627.10.152.28665.3Tax64Cost95.5Safety32.7Health10.6Schools27.1Income0.1Risk52.2Water86Weather65.347.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Lake County DNA

Foverall

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

Lake County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Cost of Living (95.5/100) but notably weak in Income (0.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
64+12
Cost
95.5+47.5
Safety
32.7-22.299999999999997
Health
10.6-39.4
Schools
27.1-26.9
Income
0.1-50.9
Risk
52.2
Water
86+28
Weather
65.3+9.299999999999997
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Lake County?

Many homeowners in Lake County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$97,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$532/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$97,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$21,280/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $28,814/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
Compare Lake County with Gilpin County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Gilpin County
Colorado
Median income: $95,361
47.5
Elbert County
Georgia
Median income: $58,450
47.5
Pratt County
Kansas
Median income: $66,022
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Caddo Parish
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Median income: $50,705
47.5
Mahnomen County
Minnesota
Median income: $59,441
47.5
Washington County
Minnesota
Median income: $115,345
47.5
Winona County
Minnesota
Median income: $70,744
47.5
Stutsman County
North Dakota
Median income: $61,856
47.5

Nearby counties

Pemiscot County
Missouri
35.5
New Madrid County
Missouri
37.8
Dyer County
Tennessee
44
Fulton County
Kentucky
49.2
Obion County
Tennessee
46.4
Dunklin County
Missouri
40.4
Gibson County
Tennessee
45
Mississippi County
Missouri
37.4

Deep Dives

Lake County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

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 47.5 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 #67 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 $653, with an effective tax rate of 0.67%. This earns Lake County a tax score of 64/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lake County?
The median household income in Lake County, Tennessee is $28,814 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lake County earns an income score of 0.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lake County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Lake County scores 47.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #67 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 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.