CountyScore

McMinn County

Tennessee · TN

#37 in Tennessee
71.2
County Score

County Report Card

About McMinn County, Tennessee

McMinn County leads this group nationally

McMinn County's composite score of 78.7 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 28.7 points, ranking it in the top tier of U.S. counties. This significant margin reflects exceptional value in taxes and housing affordability.

Tennessee's strongest performer here

McMinn County scores 78.7, beating Tennessee's state average of 76.3 by 2.4 points and ranking among the state's top counties. This above-average position reflects superior livability compared to most Tennessee communities.

Best tax and housing affordability combo

McMinn County dominates with the lowest effective tax rate of 0.371% (tax score 91.8) and exceptional housing affordability at 82.9, featuring median home values of $190,400 and rents of $792. This unbeatable combination delivers maximum purchasing power for residents.

Incomes lag significantly behind

The county's income score of 22.3 is the lowest in this group, with median household income of $59,674 trailing the state average by thousands. Missing data on safety, health, and schools prevents a complete livability assessment.

Perfect for cost-conscious retirees

McMinn County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families prioritizing maximum purchasing power and minimal taxes over high local wages. The extraordinary affordability creates comfortable living conditions on modest fixed or independent incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.8Cost82.9SafetyComing SoonHealth61.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.3Risk39.8WaterComing Soon
🏛91.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡39.8
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 McMinn County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alamosa County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $51,445
Grand County
Colorado
71.2
Median income: $84,558
Bingham County
Idaho
71.2
Median income: $76,842
Hamilton County
Illinois
71.2
Median income: $61,520
Hancock County
Indiana
71.2
Median income: $91,326

Deep Dives

McMinn County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in McMinn County

via TaxByCounty

McMinn County has lowest taxes in the nation

McMinn County's 0.371% effective tax rate ranks in the bottom 5% of all U.S. counties, less than half the national median of 0.96%. The median tax of just $707 is barely a quarter of the national median of $2,690.

Substantially below Tennessee average

McMinn County's 0.371% rate is 27% lower than Tennessee's 0.511% state average, making it one of the lowest-taxed counties in the state. The $707 median tax is about 30% below the state median of $1,016.

Lowest-taxed county in the region

McMinn County's 0.371% effective rate is the lowest among all regional peers, beating McNairy County (0.390%) and Meigs County (0.392%). Its $707 median tax is significantly lower than any neighboring county.

Median home costs just $707 yearly

On a typical McMinn County home worth $190,400, you'll pay approximately $707 in annual property taxes. That's roughly $59 per month—among the lowest tax burdens in America.

Even low-tax counties have assessment issues

Even in a low-tax county like McMinn, some homeowners may be paying more than necessary due to inflated assessments. An appeal is free and could provide meaningful relief on your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McMinn County

via CostByCounty

McMinn offers rare affordability below national norms

McMinn County renters spend just 15.9% of their income on housing, beating the national average and the state average of 17.6%. With a median household income of $59,674 below the national average of $74,755, residents still enjoy favorable housing costs.

McMinn ranks among Tennessee's most affordable

McMinn County's 15.9% rent-to-income ratio places it in the state's more affordable quarter, competing favorably against most other Tennessee counties. The median rent of $792 is 8% below the state median, reflecting strong supply-demand balance.

Cheaper rents than Marshall, similar affordability

McMinn's $792 median rent edges below Marshall County's $924 and sits well below regional peers like Maury and Montgomery. Homeownership is equally accessible: owners pay $746 monthly against median home values of $190,400.

Housing costs stabilize despite lower incomes

Renters spend $792 and owners $746 monthly from a median household income of $59,674. Together, these costs consume roughly 26% of household income, a manageable share that reflects McMinn's strong housing value proposition.

McMinn rewards cost-conscious relocaters everywhere

If housing affordability tops your relocation checklist, McMinn delivers some of Tennessee's lowest rents and ownership costs without sacrificing income stability. Stack it against any neighboring county and McMinn holds its own on price and value.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McMinn County

via IncomeByCounty

McMinn County lags the national income median

McMinn County's median household income of $59,674 falls $15,081 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-middle income bracket nationally. Per capita income of $30,669 remains below the state average of $31,458, indicating limited earning power relative to peers.

Below Tennessee average but stable

McMinn County earns $614 less than the state average of $58,994, reflecting economic challenges common to rural Tennessee. However, the community remains close to state norms, suggesting opportunity for targeted income growth through workforce development.

Outearning poorer counties, trailing wealthier ones

McMinn County's $59,674 income beats McNairy County ($50,714) and Monroe County ($56,648) but trails Marshall County ($70,829) and Maury County ($74,162). Regional income inequality ranges from $50,714 to $74,162—a 46% spread that reflects uneven economic development.

Housing remains affordable in McMinn

McMinn County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.9% keeps housing costs comfortably below the 30% threshold, supporting affordability. A median home value of $190,400 makes homeownership accessible for households at the county median income level.

Focus on income growth and skill-building

McMinn County households earn notably less than the national average, making income growth a priority for long-term wealth building. Invest in professional development, explore higher-wage employment sectors, and take advantage of affordable housing to build equity while costs remain low.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McMinn County

via HealthByCounty

McMinn County Below National Health Average

McMinn County residents live to 71.3 years, 1.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 72.8 years, signaling elevated health risks. One in five McMinn residents (20%) report poor or fair health, tracking slightly below the national 21% average, but the shorter life expectancy suggests serious underlying concerns.

Bottom Quarter of Tennessee Counties

McMinn County's 71.3-year life expectancy falls 1.1 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average, placing it in the state's lower-performing health tier. The 12.2% uninsured rate also exceeds the state's 11.9%, leaving more residents without insurance coverage.

Struggles Against Regional Peers

McMinn County's 71.3 years ranks last among its neighbors: Marshall (73.6), Monroe (70.8), and Meigs (69.1) offer mixed comparison, but Maury County's 75.1 years highlights McMinn's health disadvantage. The county's 50 primary care providers per 100K show adequate supply, but 12.2% uninsured means access remains limited for many.

Moderate Provider Access, Uninsured Gap

McMinn County has 50 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, meeting basic needs but trailing leading counties like Maury (49 per 100K for comparable quality). The 12.2% uninsured rate—nearly 1 in 8 residents—means significant barriers to preventive care even where doctors exist.

Find Affordable Health Insurance Now

With 12.2% of McMinn County uninsured, enrollment in the Tennessee Marketplace or Medicaid could transform your health outcomes and access to care. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore subsidized plans and coverage options available this year.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McMinn County

via RiskByCounty

McMinn County above state average risk

McMinn County's composite risk score of 60.24 exceeds Tennessee's state average of 52.45, indicating above-average exposure to natural hazards. This elevated profile places the county in the moderate-to-higher risk tier nationally.

Mid-tier risk among Tennessee counties

McMinn County ranks in the middle range of Tennessee's disaster risk profile, safer than Maury and Montgomery counties but riskier than Marshall and Meigs counties. Its mixed hazard exposure reflects vulnerabilities common to East Tennessee's varied terrain.

Riskier than nearby Marshall County

McMinn County (60.24) faces notably higher risk than neighboring Marshall County (45.42) and McNairy County (50.54), though it trails Maury County (79.29). Monroe County (60.91) poses similar risk, making this region split between lower and higher-hazard areas.

Earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods threaten

McMinn County contends with earthquake risk at 88.90, tornado risk at 71.25, and flood risk at 62.63—a convergence of serious hazards. Wildfire risk (49.24) adds another layer of concern, particularly in forested areas during dry seasons.

Comprehensive insurance is non-negotiable

McMinn County residents should carry earthquake insurance, flood coverage, and enhanced wind protection, as these hazards pose genuine threats. Those in flood-prone areas should consider elevated coverage limits or structural improvements like foundation anchoring.

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.