CountyScore

Macon County

Tennessee · TN

#32 in Tennessee
71.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Macon County, Tennessee

55% Superior to National Average

Macon County scores 77.6 on the composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks in the top half of American counties for livability.

Solid Performer Above State Mean

With a composite score of 77.6, Macon County exceeds Tennessee's state average of 76.3, placing it in the upper third of the state's counties. The county demonstrates consistent above-average livability.

Exceptional Taxes and Housing Value

Macon County delivers a tax score of 90.8 with a 0.406% effective tax rate and a cost score of 82.0 providing median home values of $211,200. The combination creates strong fiscal efficiency and housing value.

Incomes Moderate for Tennessee

The income score of 20.1 reflects a median household income of $56,269, placing Macon in the middle of these eight counties. Safety, health, education, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.

Great Fit for Tax-Conscious Middle Income

Macon County serves families and retirees seeking strong tax benefits combined with reasonable housing costs and stable community economics. The county offers genuine value for middle-income households prioritizing fiscal responsibility.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.8Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth57.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.1Risk65.4WaterComing Soon
🏛90.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡65.4
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 Macon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bullock County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $36,723
Cherokee County
Alabama
71.5
Median income: $50,769
Bradley County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $39,565
Franklin County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $51,919
Fulton County
Arkansas
71.5
Median income: $38,941

Deep Dives

Macon County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Macon County

via TaxByCounty

Macon's low rate on moderate homes

Macon County's effective tax rate of 0.406% ranks among the nation's lowest, well below the U.S. median of 0.22%. Homeowners here enjoy affordable taxes on median-value properties worth $211,200—nearly $70,000 above Loudon's lower rate.

Among Tennessee's lowest-tax counties

Macon County's 0.406% effective rate sits in the bottom quartile statewide, roughly 20% below Tennessee's average of 0.511%. The county attracts tax-conscious homeowners across Middle Tennessee.

Lowest among nearby counties

Macon's 0.406% rate is the lowest among its immediate peers, undercutting Marion County (0.444%), Lewis County (0.504%), and all neighbors. The county offers exceptional tax relief in its region.

Median home costs $858 yearly

Macon County homeowners with a median-value property of $211,200 pay just $858 in annual property tax—well below the state average of $1,016. This favorable rate applies to homes worth above the national average, enhancing the value proposition.

Challenge overvalued assessments here too

Macon County residents should verify their assessed values against recent local sales comps and appeal if assessments appear inflated. Even low-tax counties benefit from periodic assessment review.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Macon County

via CostByCounty

Macon balances modest income with fair housing costs

Macon County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% sits just below Tennessee's 17.6% state average and slightly better than the national norm for rural counties. With a median household income of $56,269 and rent of $805 monthly, residents maintain decent affordability despite earnings well below the national average of $74,755.

Near-average affordability in Tennessee context

Macon ranks slightly above the state average for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% that undercuts the 17.6% benchmark. The county's median rent of $805 runs just $55 below the state average, reflecting its position as a solid middle-tier option.

Mid-range pricing in diverse county cluster

Macon's $805 rent falls between the cheaper rural north ($735) and the wealthier Loudon County ($995), positioning it as the economic bridge in this sample. The median home value of $211,200 ties Lincoln County, suggesting comparable property strength and investment potential.

Rents and mortgages track closely together

Renters pay $805 monthly while homeowners spend $789—nearly equivalent costs that consume 17.2% and 16.8% of the $56,269 median income. This balanced approach suggests stable property values and predictable housing markets for both renters and owners.

Solid middle ground for cautious relocators

Macon County offers reliable affordability between rural bargains and prosperous markets, making it a sensible choice for those seeking stability without extremes. The similar rent and ownership costs indicate a mature housing market with minimal surprises.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Macon County

via IncomeByCounty

Macon County trails national income median

Macon County's median household income of $56,269 falls $18,486 below the national median of $74,755, ranking it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. The county's per capita income of $27,065 suggests limited wage-paying employment and educational opportunities.

Below Tennessee's state average income

At $56,269, Macon County's median household income sits $2,725 below Tennessee's state average of $58,994, placing it slightly below the middle statewide. The county ranks in the lower-middle tier among Tennessee's 95 counties, indicating moderate economic constraints.

Mid-range income among peer counties

Macon County's $56,269 median falls between the low-income western counties and higher-earning Lincoln and Loudon, positioning it solidly in the regional middle. The county outpaces Lauderdale, Lawrence, and Lewis but lags Madison, Marion, and significantly trails Loudon.

Housing costs remain balanced for residents

Macon County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing expenses within recommended affordability guidelines, though slightly above the healthiest levels. The median home value of $211,200 requires careful budgeting for households earning the county median, limiting wealth building through home equity.

Strategic saving builds long-term security

Macon County households earning $56,269 should prioritize building emergency reserves before aggressive investing, given moderate income levels. Even $100 monthly invested in a Roth IRA grows to over $70,000 in 20 years, creating meaningful retirement security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Macon County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below national standard

Macon County residents live an average of 71.5 years, trailing the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by 4.9 years. Nearly 23% of adults report poor or fair health, notably higher than the national average of about 18%. These gaps suggest challenges in chronic disease management and access to preventive services.

Slightly below Tennessee's state average

At 71.5 years, Macon County's life expectancy falls 0.9 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average. The county's 23.1% poor/fair health rate ranks it in the lower-middle range of Tennessee counties. Local healthcare infrastructure and insurance access warrant attention to support better outcomes.

Mental health access critically limited

Macon County has 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and critically low mental health provider availability at just 4 per 100,000—the lowest across all eight counties. This severe mental health deficit stands out sharply against Lawrence County's 95 per 100,000 or Madison County's 316 per 100,000. Residents struggling with behavioral health have virtually no local options and must travel significant distances.

High uninsured rate compounds access barriers

Macon County's uninsured rate of 14.3% is among the highest in this eight-county group and exceeds Tennessee's state average of 11.9%. With only 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and severely limited mental health capacity, uninsured residents face formidable barriers to care. The combination of low coverage and low provider supply creates a critical healthcare access crisis.

Coverage is your first step to better health

In Macon County, 14% of residents lack health insurance, leaving them vulnerable to both health crises and financial hardship. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore affordable coverage options and subsidies available to your household. Getting insured is essential when local provider access is already strained.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Macon County

via RiskByCounty

Macon County enjoys very low risk

Macon County scores 34.57 on the composite risk index with a Very Low rating, placing it well below Tennessee's average of 52.45. The county benefits from minimal flood, wildfire, and hurricane exposure relative to most of the state.

Among Tennessee's safest counties

Macon County ranks in the lower-risk tier statewide for natural disasters. Its very low rating reflects consistent protection across most hazard categories, making it one of the state's more secure counties.

Safer than surrounding counties

Macon County's 34.57 score is substantially lower than neighboring Sumner (higher risk) and Robertson counties. The county forms a low-risk pocket in north-central Tennessee.

Tornadoes represent modest threat

Macon County's highest risk—tornadoes at 68.92—remains below state averages and poses only modest concern relative to other Tennessee counties. Flood, wildfire, and hurricane risks are all quite low.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Macon County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection for natural disasters. You can skip earthquake and flood insurance unless you have specific property-based vulnerabilities.

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.