CountyScore

Lawrence County

Tennessee · TN

#64 in Tennessee
68.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Lawrence County, Tennessee

55% Better Than National Median

Lawrence County's composite score of 77.4 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among the top 55% of counties nationwide. This puts Lawrence in the strong livability tier nationally.

Above Average Across Tennessee

Lawrence County ranks above Tennessee's state average with a score of 77.4 compared to the state mean of 76.3. Among Tennessee's 95 counties, Lawrence performs in the upper third for overall livability.

Low Taxes and Strong Housing Value

Lawrence County excels with a tax score of 87.3 and an exceptionally low effective tax rate of 0.532%, the lowest among these eight counties. A cost score of 84.7 delivers affordable housing with a median home value of $176,700 and rent at $736/month.

Incomes Remain Below Regional Peers

The income score of 18.1 reflects a median household income of $53,233, which trails wealthier counties in this group. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors are not yet available to complete the livability assessment.

Perfect for Tax-Conscious Working Families

Lawrence County attracts families seeking the lowest possible tax burden combined with affordable, quality housing. The county offers genuine economic opportunity for middle-income households prioritizing fiscal responsibility.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.3Cost84.7SafetyComing SoonHealth58.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.1Risk30.4WaterComing Soon
🏛87.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.4
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 Lawrence County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
68.8
Median income: $60,946
Independence County
Arkansas
68.8
Median income: $56,009
Habersham County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $65,622
Hancock County
Georgia
68.8
Median income: $33,182
Appanoose County
Iowa
68.8
Median income: $51,146

Deep Dives

Lawrence County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lawrence County

via TaxByCounty

Lawrence taxes modestly below U.S. average

Lawrence County's effective tax rate of 0.532% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.22%—placing it in the lower-to-middle tier nationally. Yet the county's median tax bill of $940 suggests the rate applies to homes valued significantly below the national median of $281,900.

Middle of Tennessee's tax pack

Lawrence ranks around the midpoint among Tennessee counties for effective tax rate, slightly above the state average of 0.511%. The county's 0.532% rate reflects a balanced approach compared to higher-taxing peers like Lauderdale County.

Moderate compared to the region

Lawrence County's 0.532% rate falls between neighbors Marion County (0.444%) and Lauderdale County (0.662%), positioning it as a moderate-tax community in West Tennessee. The county's approach mirrors nearby Lewis County at 0.504%.

Median tax on $177K home

Lawrence County homeowners with a median-value property worth $176,700 pay $940 annually in property tax. That's slightly lower than the state average tax bill of $1,016, reflecting the county's measured rate despite moderate home values.

Assessment review protects your wallet

Lawrence County residents should verify their home's assessed value against recent comparable sales and property records. Even small overassessments accumulate over time, making an appeal worth the effort.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lawrence County

via CostByCounty

Lawrence offers solid affordability below national standard

With a rent-to-income ratio of 16.6%, Lawrence County beats both the national average and Tennessee's 17.6% state benchmark—a rare advantage for a rural county. Residents earning $53,233 annually spend just $736 monthly on rent, leaving more income for savings and essentials than national averages suggest.

Best-in-class affordability statewide

Lawrence ranks among Tennessee's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio that undercuts the state average by a full percentage point. This advantage reflects both modest housing costs and stable local incomes relative to the broader state picture.

Slightly pricier but more spacious than Lauderdale

Lawrence's $736 rent runs $7 higher than Lauderdale County to the north but $124 below the state average, positioning it as the sweet spot in the regional affordability tier. Homes here value at $176,700—$54,600 more than Lauderdale—suggesting better property investment potential.

Owner costs match rental affordability

Renters spend $736 monthly while homeowners pay $695—a rare reversal where ownership costs less than renting. This $41 monthly savings for owners makes Lawrence attractive for those ready to build equity on modest incomes of $53,233.

Smart choice for renters ready to own

Lawrence County's below-average rent-to-income ratio combined with lower ownership costs creates an ideal transition point for renters seeking homeownership. The higher median home value ($176,700) signals solid property appreciation potential compared to cheaper rural neighbors.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lawrence County

via IncomeByCounty

Lawrence County earns below the nation

Lawrence County's median household income of $53,233 falls $21,522 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 30% of American counties. Despite this gap, Lawrence performs better than many neighboring rural Tennessee counties in absolute earnings.

Middle-tier income within Tennessee

At $53,233, Lawrence County's median household income sits $5,761 below Tennessee's state average of $58,994, ranking it in the lower-middle tier statewide. The county's economy appears more diversified than its western neighbors, supporting slightly higher earning potential.

Better off than Lauderdale, trails Lincoln

Lawrence County's $53,233 median exceeds Lauderdale County ($49,205) but lags Lincoln County ($63,115) and significantly trails Loudon County ($80,296). The county occupies a middle ground in the regional income hierarchy, suggesting moderate job market strength.

Affordable housing supports financial health

Lawrence County's 16.6% rent-to-income ratio is among the region's best, meaning households dedicate just over one-sixth of income to rent. The median home value of $176,700 is accessible to households earning $53,233, allowing for realistic homeownership pathways.

Invest surplus income for long-term gain

Lawrence households with $53,233 annual income and favorable housing costs can prioritize retirement and investment accounts. Contributing to employer 401(k) plans or IRAs—even at modest levels—positions families to build meaningful wealth and achieve financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lawrence County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap remains significant

Lawrence County residents live an average of 71.8 years, falling short of the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by about 4.6 years. Just under 23% of adults report poor or fair health, which is still notably higher than the national average near 18%. These differences reflect broader patterns in access to care and preventive health services.

Slightly below Tennessee's state average

At 71.8 years, Lawrence County trails Tennessee's average life expectancy of 72.4 years by 0.6 years, placing it in the middle range statewide. The county's poor/fair health rate of 22.6% is below the state trend, suggesting moderately resilient population health. Provider access and insurance coverage remain the practical determinants of health outcomes.

Stronger primary care access than most peers

Lawrence County's 38 primary care providers per 100,000 residents is well above regional neighbors like Lauderdale (16 per 100K) and Lewis (16 per 100K). Mental health provider density at 95 per 100,000 is the highest among this cluster of counties, supporting residents facing behavioral health challenges. This comparative strength in provider supply is a significant asset.

Uninsured residents face coverage gaps

Lawrence County's uninsured rate of 13.1% exceeds Tennessee's state average of 11.9%, affecting roughly 1 in 7.5 residents. While primary care access is stronger here than in neighboring counties, gaps in insurance coverage still prevent many from seeking care. Connecting uninsured residents to affordable plans remains an urgent local health priority.

Don't let coverage gaps delay your care

If you're uninsured in Lawrence County, affordable health insurance is within reach through the healthcare marketplace and Medicaid. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore plans and subsidies available to your household. Securing coverage today protects your health and your finances tomorrow.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lawrence County

via RiskByCounty

Lawrence County faces above-average risk

Lawrence County scores 69.66 on the composite risk index with a Relatively Low rating, but this sits 17.2 points above Tennessee's average of 52.45. The county's risk profile is shaped by significant tornado and flood exposure.

Upper-middle risk tier in Tennessee

Lawrence County ranks among the higher-risk counties in Tennessee, placing it above roughly 60% of the state's other counties. Its tornado risk of 91.28 is particularly notable compared to state peers.

Highest risk in south-central cluster

Lawrence County's risk profile exceeds neighboring Maury and Giles counties, primarily due to elevated tornado (91.28) and flood (56.93) risks. Only Madison County to the north poses comparable threat levels in the immediate region.

Tornadoes and flooding are primary threats

Tornadoes represent your most significant natural disaster risk at 91.28, followed by flood hazard at 56.93—both well above state averages. Earthquake risk of 89.15 adds a third dimension of vulnerability often overlooked in this region.

Get flood insurance and storm coverage

Flood insurance is essential in Lawrence County due to your 56.93 flood risk score; standard homeowners policies exclude water damage. Verify your windstorm and hail coverage is adequate to handle severe tornado-season weather.

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.