countyscore
54.5
County Score
Property Tax 94.4Water Quality 86Cost of Living 83

County Report Card

About McNairy County, Tennessee

McNairy County Exceeds National Standards

McNairy County earns a composite score of 54.6, outperforming the national median of 50.0. This ranking places it in the upper percentiles of counties nationwide for its overall balance of affordability and quality.

Outperforming the Tennessee State Average

With its 54.6 score, McNairy County sits comfortably above the Tennessee state average of 51.3. It stands out as a high-value rural option within the state's borders.

A Haven of Low Costs and Taxes

The county excels with a tax score of 94.4 and a cost score of 84.0, driven by an incredibly low $706 median rent. Residents also benefit from high-quality schools, which earn a respectable score of 62.3.

Economic and Health Limitations

Income levels remain low with a score of 16.1, reflecting a median household income of $50,714. Health outcomes also lag behind other metrics, with a dimension score of 17.4.

Perfect for Families Seeking Affordability

McNairy County is a top pick for families looking to maximize their purchasing power while benefiting from a solid school system. It is less suited for those requiring high-paying local jobs or specialized medical infrastructure.

2040608010094.4832217.462.318.449.58662.5Tax94.4Cost83Safety22Health17.4Schools62.3Income18.4Risk49.5Water86Weather62.554.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

McNairy County DNA

Foverall

How McNairy County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

McNairy County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (94.4/100) but notably weak in Safety (22/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
94.4+42.400000000000006
Cost
83+35
Safety
22-33
Health
17.4-32.6
Schools
62.3+8.299999999999997
Income
18.4-32.6
Risk
49.5
Water
86+28
Weather
62.5
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Whether buying or refinancing in McNairy County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$161,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$723/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$161,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$28,920/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $53,473/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

15.4

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare McNairy County with Marshall County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
Median income: $62,571
54.5
Howard County
Arkansas
Median income: $45,603
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Union County
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Median income: $64,146
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Walker County
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Median income: $59,469
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Noble County
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Median income: $71,723
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Franklin Parish
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Median income: $47,020
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Simpson County
Mississippi
Median income: $56,381
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Cole County
Missouri
Median income: $74,876
54.5

Nearby counties

Chester County
Tennessee
60.5
Hardin County
Tennessee
47.1
Alcorn County
Mississippi
44.1
Hardeman County
Tennessee
41.2
Henderson County
Tennessee
54.9
Madison County
Tennessee
34.9
Tippah County
Mississippi
55.3
Tishomingo County
Mississippi
56.8

Deep Dives

McNairy County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in McNairy County

via TaxByCounty

McNairy County taxes rank among America's lowest

McNairy County's 0.390% effective tax rate places it in the bottom 10% nationally, less than half the U.S. median of 0.96%. The $589 median property tax is only 22% of the national median of $2,690.

Well below Tennessee state average

McNairy County's 0.390% rate is 24% lower than Tennessee's 0.511% average, ranking it near the bottom statewide. The $589 median tax falls 42% below the state median of $1,016.

Second-lowest taxes in the region

McNairy County's 0.390% rate ranks second-lowest regionally, just above McMinn County's 0.371% but below Meigs County (0.392%). Its $589 median tax is the lowest dollar amount among all neighboring counties.

Median home costs just $589 yearly

On a typical McNairy County home worth $151,100, you'll pay approximately $589 in annual property taxes. That's roughly $49 per month—among the most affordable in America.

Appeal your assessment if overvalued

Even in counties with minimal tax burdens, overassessment happens and appeals are free to file. McNairy County homeowners should verify their assessments aren't inflating their already-low bills unnecessarily.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in McNairy County

via IncomeByCounty

McNairy County faces significant income gap

McNairy County's median household income of $50,714 trails the national median of $74,755 by $24,041—a 32% shortfall that ranks it among America's lower-income counties. Per capita income of $26,747 falls well below the state average of $31,458, indicating economic stress across the community.

Lowest-earning county in Tennessee sample

McNairy County earns $8,280 less than the Tennessee state average of $58,994, making it one of the state's lowest-income communities. This 14% gap signals limited employment opportunities and lower skill-wage alignment in the local economy.

Struggling compared to surrounding counties

McNairy County's $50,714 median income is $9,960 below McMinn County ($59,674) and $19,451 below Marshall County ($70,829). The gap to the region's leader, Maury County ($74,162), reaches $23,448—making McNairy the region's most economically challenged community.

Housing affordable despite low incomes

McNairy County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.7% keeps housing costs manageable and below the 30% affordability ceiling. A median home value of $151,100—the lowest in the region—ensures that homeownership remains within reach for households earning the county median.

Prioritize earning potential and asset building

McNairy County's significantly below-average incomes require intentional wealth-building strategies to close the financial gap. Consider skills-based training in high-demand fields, remote work opportunities from outside employers, and maximize your position in affordable housing to build equity.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in McNairy County

via CrimeByCounty

McNairy County Maintains a Safe Profile

McNairy County reports a total crime rate of 2,004.2 per 100,000, which is comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5. This contributes to a respectable safety score of 96.8 for the region.

Competitive Safety within Tennessee

The county's safety score of 96.8 is just shy of the Tennessee state average of 97.2. Despite having only two reporting agencies, the data shows a consistent level of public safety for residents.

Consistent Performance Among West TN Counties

McNairy County offers a safer environment than several neighboring areas, keeping its total crime rate roughly 16% below the national baseline. It remains a stable choice for those prioritizing low crime in the region.

Lower Violent Crime Rates Protect Residents

The violent crime rate of 328.2 is lower than the national average of 369.8, indicating a relatively low risk of physical harm. Property crime accounts for 1,676.0 incidents per 100,000, which remains below the national property crime benchmark.

Basic Precautions Ensure Continued Safety

Maintaining property security through better lighting and alarm systems helps keep property crime figures low. Simple awareness of your surroundings is the best defense in this relatively quiet county.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in McNairy County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm Subtropical Climate in West Tennessee

McNairy County averages 60.4°F annually, making it significantly warmer than the national median of 55°F. This humid subtropical climate is characterized by mild winters and long, humid summers.

Warmer Than the Tennessee Average

The county's average temperature of 60.4°F sits well above the Tennessee state average of 58.1°F. This makes McNairy one of the warmer counties in the state, driven by its southern latitude and lower elevation.

Wetter and Warmer than Regional Neighbors

With 59.1 inches of annual rainfall, McNairy is considerably wetter than the state average of 55.9 inches. It maintains higher heat levels than northern neighbors like Obion County, which averages only 57.8°F.

Intense Summer Heat and Minimal Snow

Residents face 59 extreme heat days per year where temperatures top 90°F. Conversely, winter is mild with a January average of 39.3°F and only 1.0 inch of annual snowfall.

Prioritize High-Efficiency Cooling and Drainage

Homeowners should invest in robust HVAC systems to handle two months of extreme heat. Given the high annual precipitation of 59.1 inches, proper gutter maintenance and yard drainage are essential.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in McNairy County

via SoilByCounty

McNairy's acidic and sandy soil profile

McNairy County averages a pH of 5.24, which is slightly more acidic than the state average of 5.35 and well below the national median of 6.5. This contributes to a lower soil score of 29.6, indicating some challenges for intensive agricultural use.

Higher sand content aids soil workability

The soil composition includes 33.6% sand, one of the higher levels in the region, paired with 46.4% silt and 19.9% clay. This sand-heavy mix allows for easier digging and faster warming in the spring, though it may lose moisture more quickly.

Moderate water capacity with low organic matter

Organic matter content is 1.53%, trailing both the state average of 2.44% and the national average of 2.0%. Fortunately, the available water capacity of 0.171 in/in perfectly matches the state average, providing a decent buffer against short droughts.

Natural drainage through McNairy sands

While specific drainage class data is limited, the high sand percentage generally points toward better-than-average drainage for West Tennessee. Farmers should be aware that these soils may require more frequent fertilization, as nutrients can wash through sandy layers more easily.

Gardening success in Hardiness Zone 7b

In Zone 7b, McNairy's sandier soils are excellent for root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots that prefer less resistance. Adding compost will help bridge the gap in organic matter and turn these sandy plots into highly productive gardens.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in McNairy County

via LawnByCounty

McNairy County's Intense Lawn Care Environment

McNairy County's lawn difficulty score of 30.0 reflects a very challenging environment compared to the national average of 50.0. Homeowners in this Zone 7b area must work harder to combat heat and soil issues than those in neighboring counties.

Peak Heat and High Humidity

A staggering 59 extreme heat days each year puts local turf under constant stress during the summer months. The 4,964 growing degree days suggest a very active growing season that demands frequent mowing and consistent hydration.

Sandy Soil and Acidic pH Levels

With a high sand content of 33.6%, the soil here may drain quickly, but a low pH of 5.24 can stunt grass health. Adding organic matter and lime can help stabilize the soil and keep nutrients within reach of the grass roots.

Managing Water During Half-Year Droughts

The county experienced 25 weeks of drought in the past year, and 100% of the area currently experiences abnormally dry conditions. Efficient irrigation is key to keeping lawns healthy without wasting water during these frequent dry spells.

Planting for Success in McNairy

Bermudagrass is a robust choice that handles the local 59 extreme heat days better than most species. Aim to plant after the April 6 spring frost to ensure the roots are established before the October 30 fall frost.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McNairy County's county score?
McNairy County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 54.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does McNairy County rank among counties in Tennessee?
McNairy County ranks #36 among all counties in Tennessee on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in McNairy County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in McNairy County is $619, with an effective tax rate of 0.38%. This earns McNairy County a tax score of 94.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in McNairy County?
The median household income in McNairy County, Tennessee is $53,473 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. McNairy County earns an income score of 18.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is McNairy County, Tennessee a good place to live?
McNairy County scores 54.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #36 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate McNairy County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare McNairy County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.