CountyScore

Marion County

Tennessee · TN

#45 in Tennessee
70.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Marion County, Tennessee

Top-Performing County Nationwide

Marion County scores 77.6 on the composite index, 55% above the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among America's strongest performers for overall livability.

Above Tennessee State Average

Marion County scores 77.6, surpassing Tennessee's state average of 76.3 and ranking in the upper third of Tennessee's 95 counties. The county delivers consistently strong livability performance.

Lowest Taxes and Strong Housing Value

Marion County features a tax score of 89.8 with the second-lowest effective tax rate at 0.444%, and a cost score of 82.6 delivering median home values of $173,600. These fiscal advantages make the county exceptionally attractive economically.

Incomes Below Upper-Tier Peers

The income score of 21.3 reflects a median household income of $58,103, comparable to Macon and Madison counties but below Lincoln and Loudon. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data are not yet available for complete assessment.

Excellent Value for Working Families

Marion County serves families seeking maximum tax efficiency combined with affordable housing and middle-class economic stability. The county offers genuine financial value and represents an ideal balance among Tennessee's small counties.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.8Cost82.6SafetyComing SoonHealth61.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.3Risk41.8WaterComing Soon
🏛89.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡41.8
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 Marion County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Fremont County
Colorado
70.6
Median income: $61,027
Chattahoochee County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $59,221
Jones County
Georgia
70.6
Median income: $68,259
Jerome County
Idaho
70.6
Median income: $69,338
Jefferson County
Indiana
70.6
Median income: $59,987

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion keeps taxes well below national average

Marion County's effective tax rate of 0.444% ranks in the lowest tier nationally, roughly double the U.S. median of 0.22%. The county achieves this favorable rate on median homes worth $173,600, resulting in modest tax bills of $771 annually.

Below average across Tennessee

Marion County's 0.444% effective rate sits comfortably below Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, placing it in the lower-tax tier statewide. Homeowners enjoy a modest tax burden relative to state peers.

Lower than most surrounding counties

Marion's 0.444% rate undercuts Lawrence County (0.532%), Lewis County (0.504%), and several neighbors, though Macon County (0.406%) and Loudon County (0.398%) remain lower. Marion offers solid tax relief in its region.

Lowest median tax bill in region

Marion County homeowners with a median-value property of $173,600 pay just $771 annually—among the lowest tax bills in the analysis. This favorable combination makes Marion a tax-efficient community for budget-conscious homebuyers.

Still review your assessment annually

Even in lower-tax counties, inaccurate assessments reduce your property's fair market value. Marion County residents should request assessment details and appeal if their home is appraised above recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Marion County

via CostByCounty

Marion delivers balanced affordability below national standard

Marion County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% sits slightly below Tennessee's 17.6% state average and favorably compared to national norms. With a median household income of $58,103 and rent of $840 monthly, residents achieve reasonable housing security despite earnings far below the national $74,755 median.

Solid affordability, slightly above state average

Marion ranks slightly better than the state average for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% that undercuts Tennessee's 17.6% benchmark. The county's $840 monthly rent runs just $20 below the state average, reflecting its position as a stable, affordable option.

Mid-tier pricing with modest property values

Marion's $840 rent falls between the rural bargains ($735) and wealthier markets ($995), while the median home value of $173,600 remains modest compared to northern peers. The county offers consistent, unspectacular housing costs—neither a bargain nor a burden.

Ownership costs notably lower than rents

Renters pay $840 monthly while homeowners spend just $702—a striking $138 monthly advantage for ownership that translates to nearly $1,700 annually in savings. This 17.4% rent burden versus 14.5% ownership burden strongly favors those able to purchase property.

Renter-friendly with ownership upside

Marion County offers fair rental affordability alongside surprisingly affordable homeownership, making it accessible for renters considering the transition. If you're exploring relocation, Marion's ownership cost advantage over rents deserves serious consideration in your financial planning.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion County earns below national median

Marion County's median household income of $58,103 trails the national median of $74,755 by $16,652, placing it in the bottom 40% of American counties. The county's per capita income of $29,313 indicates limited high-wage employment opportunities.

Slightly below Tennessee's state average

At $58,103, Marion County's median household income falls just $891 below Tennessee's state average of $58,994, positioning it as a typical Tennessee county. The county ranks very close to the statewide median, with income conditions matching state norms.

Lower-middle income in the eight-county group

Marion County's $58,103 median exceeds the lowest-income western counties (Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis) but trails Lincoln ($63,115) and Loudon ($80,296). The county shows comparable earnings to Madison ($58,189), suggesting similar regional economic dynamics.

Reasonable housing affordability for residents

Marion County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio is healthy and among the region's better values, keeping housing costs within standard affordability guidelines. The median home value of $173,600 is realistically attainable for households earning the county median of $58,103.

Marion households can build steady wealth

With $58,103 median income and reasonable housing costs, Marion County families have capacity for consistent retirement and investment contributions. Setting up automatic transfers of $150–$200 monthly to retirement accounts creates a path to $200,000+ in accumulated wealth within 25 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Marion County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy near state and national range

Marion County residents live an average of 72.0 years, sitting between the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years and Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years. Nearly 21.5% of adults report poor or fair health, lower than the national average of about 18%, suggesting moderate population health. Provider access and insurance coverage determine whether this baseline translates to sustained health gains.

Nearly matches Tennessee's state average

Marion County's life expectancy of 72.0 years falls 0.4 years below Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years, placing it squarely in the middle of state performance. The 21.5% poor/fair health rate is in the healthier half of Tennessee counties, reflecting adequate baseline health. The county is positioned to improve through targeted investment in provider access.

Moderate provider access supports care delivery

Marion County offers 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 27 mental health providers per 100,000, positioning it in the middle range among peers. This moderate provider density is significantly below Madison County's exceptional levels but better than rural neighbors like Lauderdale or Lewis. Most residents can access basic care, though specialists may require travel.

Insurance coverage near state average

Marion County's uninsured rate of 11.9% matches Tennessee's state average exactly, meaning about 1 in 8.4 residents lack health coverage. With 35 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, insured patients generally find care accessible. Connecting the uninsured to coverage remains an important local health priority.

Get covered and protect your family

In Marion County, nearly 12% of residents lack health insurance, a gap that leaves families vulnerable to medical crises. Healthcare.gov provides quick access to affordable plans and subsidies designed for your situation. Taking time to enroll protects both your health and your financial security.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Marion County

via RiskByCounty

Marion County carries moderate risk

Marion County scores 58.24 on the composite risk index with a Relatively Low rating, slightly above Tennessee's average of 52.45. The county's risk is balanced across flood, wildfire, and tornado exposures.

Mid-range risk statewide

Marion County ranks near the median among Tennessee's counties for natural disaster risk. Its composite score places it just above average relative to state peers, with no single hazard dominating.

Similar to Lincoln County profile

Marion County's 58.24 score closely mirrors Lincoln County (58.91) to the east, creating a consistent mid-range risk zone in south-central Tennessee. Both counties face meaningful tornado and flood threats.

Tornadoes and wildfires are notable

Tornadoes at 81.84 are Marion County's primary concern, followed by wildfire risk at 59.67—an unusually high wildfire ranking for Tennessee. Flood exposure at 61.39 rounds out your three main hazard categories.

Prioritize flood and wildfire coverage

Flood insurance is important given Marion County's 61.39 flood risk; separate policies are required since standard homeowners insurance excludes water damage. If you live near woodland or forested areas, confirm wildfire coverage (59.67) is included in your policy.

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.