CountyScore

Lauderdale County

Tennessee · TN

#83 in Tennessee
66.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lauderdale County, Tennessee

Well Above the National Average

Lauderdale County scores 75.7 on the CountyScore composite index, 51% higher than the national median of 50.0. This strong performance places the county in the top half of livability rankings across the United States.

Just Below Tennessee's Middle

With a composite score of 75.7, Lauderdale County ranks slightly below Tennessee's state average of 76.3. The county holds its own among Tennessee's 95 counties, landing in the upper-middle tier of livability.

Tax Efficiency and Housing Affordability

Lauderdale County shines in tax burden (83.7/100) with an effective tax rate of just 0.662%, and boasts exceptional housing affordability (84.8/100) with a median home value of $122,100 and median rent of $729/month. These two dimensions make the county especially attractive for budget-conscious families.

Income Growth Lags Behind Peers

The county's income score of 15.5 reflects a median household income of $49,205, which is notably lower than state peers with similar affordability. Safety, health, school quality, and environmental data are not yet available for a complete livability picture.

Ideal for Cost-Conscious Retirees

Lauderdale County suits families and retirees prioritizing affordability and low taxes over high incomes or urban amenities. The county offers real economic value for those with fixed or modest incomes seeking a stable, budget-friendly Tennessee home.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost84.8SafetyComing SoonHealth54.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.5Risk28.4WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡28.4
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 Lauderdale County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Georgia
66.5
Median income: $49,559
Monroe County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $101,635
White County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $53,097
Cass County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $61,657
Crawford County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $65,039

Deep Dives

Lauderdale County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lauderdale County

via TaxByCounty

Lauderdale's tax rate tops the nation

At 0.662%, Lauderdale County's effective property tax rate is nearly triple the national median of 0.22%. This places the county in the top 5% nationally—meaning homeowners here pay significantly more in property taxes than most Americans, despite lower home values than the national median of $281,900.

Third-highest in Tennessee

Lauderdale ranks third among Tennessee's 95 counties for effective tax rate, trailing only a handful of peers. The county's 0.662% rate is 30% higher than Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, putting substantial pressure on local property owners.

Higher than all nearby counties

Lauderdale's 0.662% rate outpaces every adjacent county in West Tennessee. Lawrence County (0.532%), Lewis County (0.504%), and Marion County (0.444%) all tax property at significantly lower rates, giving Lauderdale residents one reason to scrutinize their assessments.

What $122K home costs annually

The median Lauderdale homeowner with a $122,100 house pays $808 in annual property taxes. With mortgage and escrow, that bill climbs to $963—a meaningful expense on a median home value well below the national average.

You may be overassessed

Many Lauderdale County homeowners are unaware that property assessments can be wrong—and appealable. Given the county's high tax rate, it's worth reviewing your assessment and filing a challenge if your home's appraised value exceeds its true market worth.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lauderdale County

via CostByCounty

Lauderdale's rent burden beats the nation

Renters in Lauderdale County spend just 17.8% of their income on rent—nearly identical to the national norm and slightly above Tennessee's 17.6% average. With a median household income of $49,205 versus the national median of $74,755, Lauderdale residents earn considerably less but manage comparable housing affordability through modest rents of $729 monthly.

Mid-pack affordability among Tennessee counties

Lauderdale ranks near the middle of Tennessee's affordability spectrum, with a rent-to-income ratio that mirrors the statewide average. The county's median rent of $729 runs $131 below the state average of $860, helping offset lower incomes.

Comparable to similar rural Tennessee towns

Lauderdale's housing costs align closely with neighboring Lewis County ($735 rent) and Lawrence County ($736 rent), all hovering around $730 monthly. Among this rural cluster, Lauderdale offers the lowest median home value at $122,100, making it the most accessible for first-time homebuyers in the region.

Balanced rents and mortgages on modest incomes

Renters pay $729 monthly while homeowners face $699 in monthly costs—nearly identical burdens that suggest stable, affordable property values. The median home value of $122,100 requires just 17% of annual income to cover ownership costs, leaving room for other necessities.

Affordable living for budget-conscious movers

If you're seeking affordable housing without sacrificing community stability, Lauderdale delivers consistent costs across renting and owning. Compare these figures to neighboring counties—you'll find Lauderdale competitive and welcoming for those prioritizing financial breathing room.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lauderdale County

via IncomeByCounty

Lauderdale lags behind national earnings

Lauderdale County's median household income of $49,205 trails the national median by $25,550, placing it well below the typical American household. This gap reflects broader economic challenges in rural West Tennessee, where earnings have not kept pace with national growth trends.

Below Tennessee's state average income

At $49,205, Lauderdale's median household income falls $9,789 short of Tennessee's state average of $58,994. The county ranks in the lower third of Tennessee's 95 counties, indicating limited job opportunities and lower wage sectors dominate the local economy.

Among the lowest in the region

Lauderdale's $49,205 median ranks lowest among nearby counties, trailing Lawrence County ($53,233) and Lewis County ($49,477). Neighboring Lincoln County ($63,115) and Loudon County ($80,296) show what stronger regional economies can generate through manufacturing and professional jobs.

Housing costs remain manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 17.8%, Lauderdale residents spend less than one-fifth of household income on housing—a healthy ratio that aligns with national affordability standards. However, the relatively low median home value of $122,100 reflects a depressed property market compared to neighboring counties.

Build financial resilience in Lauderdale

Lauderdale households earning $49,205 benefit from low housing costs, freeing up resources for emergency savings and retirement planning. Even modest monthly investments of $100–$200 in tax-advantaged accounts can compound significantly over time, building wealth despite current income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lauderdale County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags behind national average

Lauderdale County residents live to an average of 70.7 years, trailing the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by nearly 6 years. Nearly 28% of adults report poor or fair health—significantly higher than the national average of about 18%. These figures point to persistent health challenges that affect daily life across the county.

Below Tennessee's already modest benchmark

At 70.7 years, Lauderdale County's life expectancy falls 1.7 years below Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years. The county ranks among the lower-performing counties in Tennessee on life expectancy, indicating concentrated health disparities. Addressing these gaps requires understanding both local healthcare infrastructure and underlying health behaviors.

Shared struggle with nearby counties

Lauderdale County's 70.7-year life expectancy mirrors the challenges seen in neighboring Lauderdale peers, though it lags behind Lincoln County's 72.2 years. The county's primary care provider rate of 16 per 100,000 residents is among the lowest in the region, with Madison County offering nearly 9 times more providers. Mental health access is particularly limited at 28 per 100,000 compared to Madison's 316 per 100,000.

Healthcare access and insurance coverage

Lauderdale County's uninsured rate of 11.6% sits just below the state average of 11.9%, meaning roughly 1 in 8 residents lack health coverage. With only 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, many face long waits or travel long distances for routine care. The shortage extends to mental health services, where limited availability compounds existing health challenges.

Explore your health insurance options today

If you're among the uninsured in Lauderdale County, affordable coverage options exist through the healthcare marketplace and state programs. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local health department to learn about plans that fit your budget. Taking the first step toward coverage is an investment in your family's long-term health.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lauderdale County

via RiskByCounty

Lauderdale's natural disaster risk profile

Lauderdale County scores 71.56 on the composite risk index, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting above Tennessee's average of 52.45. This places the county in moderate risk territory nationally, driven primarily by earthquake and tornado exposure rather than flood or wildfire concerns.

Mid-range risk within Tennessee

Among Tennessee's 95 counties, Lauderdale ranks in the middle-to-upper range for natural disaster risk. The county's above-average score reflects seismic vulnerability and tornado exposure that exceed most state peers.

Riskier than nearby Crockett County

Lauderdale faces notably higher risk than surrounding rural counties in northwest Tennessee, particularly due to its earthquake risk score of 95.55. The county's tornado risk of 84.45 also stands significantly above neighbors in the region.

Earthquakes and tornadoes dominate

Your greatest natural disaster threats are earthquakes (95.55) and tornadoes (84.45), which together account for most of your composite risk. Flood risk remains relatively low at 25.19, and wildfires pose minimal concern at 19.05.

Prioritize earthquake and storm coverage

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover earthquake damage—you need a separate policy to protect against Lauderdale's high seismic risk. Ensure your policy includes comprehensive windstorm coverage for tornado protection, and review your deductibles annually.

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.