CountyScore

Lewis County

Tennessee · TN

#25 in Tennessee
72.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Lewis County, Tennessee

55% Above the National Baseline

Lewis County scores 77.3 on the composite index, substantially outpacing the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top half of American counties for overall livability.

Tennessee's Upper-Tier Performer

With a score of 77.3, Lewis County surpasses Tennessee's state average of 76.3, placing it in the top third of the state's counties. The county demonstrates consistent above-average livability across measured dimensions.

Lowest Taxes and Strong Affordability

Lewis County delivers an exceptional tax score of 88.1 with the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.504%, and a cost score of 84.6 supporting median home values of $157,800. These factors create an exceptionally efficient cost-of-living environment.

Income Levels Need Strengthening

The income score of 15.7 indicates a median household income of $49,477, comparable to other rural counties in this cohort. Safety, health, schools, and water quality data remain unavailable for a complete assessment.

Best for Those Prioritizing Tax Relief

Lewis County serves retirees, remote workers, and families seeking maximum tax efficiency and minimal housing costs. The county excels as a low-expense base for those with income sources outside the local economy.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.1Cost84.6SafetyComing SoonHealth54.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.7Risk86.1WaterComing Soon
🏛88.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤54.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.1
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 Lewis County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Chilton County
Alabama
72.2
Median income: $61,873
Baker County
Florida
72.2
Median income: $70,833
Dade County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $58,936
Oconee County
Georgia
72.2
Median income: $115,925
Dearborn County
Indiana
72.2
Median income: $82,693

Deep Dives

Lewis County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lewis County

via TaxByCounty

Lewis keeps taxes below national median

At 0.504%, Lewis County's effective tax rate sits firmly below the national median of 0.22%, placing it in the lower half nationally. The county achieves this while maintaining a median home value of $157,800, well below the U.S. median of $281,900.

Slightly below Tennessee average

Lewis County ranks near the middle of Tennessee's 95 counties, with an effective rate of 0.504% that's fractionally below the state average of 0.511%. This modest difference means Lewis homeowners enjoy a minor tax advantage over many state peers.

Competitive with nearby counties

Lewis County's 0.504% rate is virtually tied with Lawrence County (0.532%) and lower than Lauderdale County (0.662%) to the west. The county offers a reasonable tax environment compared to its regional peers.

Median tax on $158K home

Lewis County homeowners pay approximately $795 annually on a median-value home worth $157,800. This bill is notably lower than Tennessee's state average tax of $1,016, reflecting both modest home values and a restrained tax rate.

Still worth checking your assessment

Even in lower-tax counties, property assessments sometimes overstate home values based on outdated comparables or administrative error. Lewis County residents should request a reassessment review if they suspect their home is overvalued.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lewis County

via CostByCounty

Lewis matches national housing affordability norms

At 17.8% of income spent on rent, Lewis County residents shoulder slightly more burden than the national average but nearly match Tennessee's 17.6% state ratio. The median income of $49,477 is significantly below the national $74,755, yet modest rents of $735 monthly keep affordability reasonable.

Middle-tier affordability in Tennessee rankings

Lewis ranks near the state average for housing burden, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% that sits just above Tennessee's 17.6% benchmark. The county maintains this balance through low rents that offset below-average incomes.

Nearly identical to Lauderdale and Lawrence peers

Lewis's $735 rent sits just $1 below Lawrence and $6 below Lauderdale, cementing this rural cluster as Tennessee's most uniformly affordable region. However, Lewis's median home value of $157,800 positions it between the two neighbors, offering mid-range property investment.

Rents and mortgages remain tightly aligned

Monthly rent at $735 nearly mirrors the $701 homeowner cost, with housing consuming roughly 18% of the typical $49,477 annual household income. This modest burden leaves room for other expenses in a county where affordability is the primary economic advantage.

Rock-bottom housing for rural lifestyle seekers

Lewis County delivers among Tennessee's cheapest rental and ownership options without sacrificing regional stability or growth. If you value affordability over urban amenities, Lewis competes favorably with Lauderdale and Lawrence for cost-conscious relocators.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lewis County

via IncomeByCounty

Lewis County income significantly below U.S.

Lewis County's median household income of $49,477 trails the national median of $74,755 by $25,278, reflecting the economic realities of rural middle Tennessee. The county ranks in the bottom quartile nationally despite a per capita income of $29,149.

Lowest-earning county in this analysis

At $49,477, Lewis County ties with Lauderdale for the lowest median household income among these eight counties, sitting $9,517 below Tennessee's state average. The county's economy appears constrained by limited employment diversity and wage-paying industries.

Among the region's lower-income counties

Lewis County's $49,477 median ranks near the bottom of neighboring counties, exceeded by Lawrence ($53,233), Lincoln ($63,115), and significantly below Loudon ($80,296). Only Lauderdale County ($49,205) shows comparable income levels in this grouping.

Housing affordability eases budget strain

Lewis County's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio mirrors Lauderdale's, keeping housing costs within healthy affordability limits despite lower median income. The median home value of $157,800 remains attainable for local households, though slower appreciation may limit wealth-building through homeownership.

Maximize savings despite modest earnings

Lewis County households earning $49,477 can leverage low housing costs to build emergency funds and retirement savings. Starting with automatic transfers to high-yield savings accounts ensures consistent wealth accumulation without relying on discretionary income.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Lewis County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy trails national standard by four years

Lewis County residents live an average of 71.5 years, compared to the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years—a gap of 4.9 years. About 26% of adults report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 18%. These health disparities reflect challenges in accessing preventive care and managing chronic conditions.

Below Tennessee average despite rural character

Lewis County's life expectancy of 71.5 years falls 0.9 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average. The county's 26.4% poor/fair health rate ranks in the lower half of Tennessee counties, indicating concentrated health challenges. Rural geography compounds barriers to healthcare access that affect long-term health outcomes.

Limited provider access across all specialties

Lewis County's 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents matches the lowest rate in this region, alongside Lauderdale County. Mental health provider availability at 46 per 100,000 is moderate but trails Lawrence County's 95 per 100,000 significantly. These shortages mean residents often travel considerable distances for specialized care.

High uninsured rate strains healthcare access

Lewis County's uninsured rate of 14.4% is the highest among these eight counties and exceeds Tennessee's average of 11.9% by 2.5 percentage points. With only 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, even insured patients face long waits for appointments. The combination of limited coverage and limited providers creates significant barriers to timely care.

Take control with affordable health coverage

In Lewis County, nearly 1 in 7 residents lack health insurance—a situation that leaves families financially vulnerable. Check Healthcare.gov to see if you qualify for subsidized plans or Medicaid coverage that fits your budget. Coverage opens the door to preventive care that keeps you and your family healthier.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lewis County

via RiskByCounty

Lewis County enjoys very low risk

Lewis County scores just 13.93 on the composite risk index—the lowest among these eight counties—earning a Very Low rating. At less than 27% of Tennessee's average of 52.45, Lewis is among the safest counties in the state for natural disasters.

Tennessee's safest natural disaster zone

Lewis County ranks among the lowest-risk counties statewide for composite natural disaster exposure. Its very low rating reflects minimal flood, wildfire, and hurricane threats compared to nearly all other Tennessee counties.

Significantly safer than surrounding areas

Lewis County's risk profile is dramatically lower than all adjacent counties, including Lawrence (69.66) and Lincoln (58.91) to the north and south. The county enjoys a meaningful safety advantage in central Tennessee.

Tornadoes pose modest concern

Even Lewis County's highest risk—tornadoes at 59.19—falls well below state and regional norms. Flood risk (13.33) and wildfire risk (9.38) are minimal, making this one of Tennessee's most naturally secure counties.

Standard coverage meets your needs

A standard homeowners policy is typically sufficient for Lewis County's low natural disaster risk profile. You may skip earthquake and flood insurance unless you have specific property vulnerabilities, allowing you to allocate resources to other protection priorities.

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.