CountyScore

Obion County

Tennessee · TN

#76 in Tennessee
67.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Obion County, Tennessee

Obion County Well Above National Median

Obion County's composite score of 77.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 54%, ranking among the more livable counties nationwide. Its strength lies primarily in tax efficiency and housing affordability rather than income-based metrics.

Competitive Standing in Tennessee

Obion County ranks within Tennessee's upper tier with a score of 77.0, marginally above the state average of 76.3. It holds steady among multiple counties with similar composite profiles across rural Tennessee.

Outstanding Tax Efficiency and Affordability

Obion County boasts a tax score of 86.3 (0.568% effective rate) and cost score of 84.8, with median home values at $122,700 and rent at $770/month. These figures represent among the lowest financial barriers in the region, appealing to those prioritizing budget over income potential.

Income Opportunities Remain Limited

The county's income score of 18.1 reflects a median household income of just $53,102, the lowest among this peer group. Critical gaps remain in available data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors that shape overall livability.

A Haven for Frugal Rural Living

Obion County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families with independent income who value rural tranquility and minimal financial burden. Limited local employment options mean relocating here typically requires income from outside the county.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.3Cost84.8SafetyComing SoonHealth59SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.1Risk18.7WaterComing Soon
🏛86.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡18.7
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 Obion County with another county →

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Clark County
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Deep Dives

Obion County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Obion County

via TaxByCounty

Obion County taxes rank in nation's lowest tier

Obion County's effective tax rate of 0.568% represents just one-fifth the national median property tax burden of $2,690 on a typical $281,900 home. This places Obion in the bottom quartile nationally, offering exceptional affordability to homeowners.

Slightly above Tennessee's statewide rate

At 0.568%, Obion County's effective rate exceeds Tennessee's 0.511% average, positioning it among the higher-taxing counties in the state though still in the moderate range. The county's median tax of $697 falls well below the state median of $1,016, reflecting the lower property values typical of the county.

Obion taxes higher than most surrounding counties

Obion's 0.568% rate exceeds Overton (0.394%), Pickett (0.374%), and Rhea (0.462%), though it's nearly identical to Polk County (0.565%). Among the Northwest Tennessee cluster, Obion sits in the upper range while remaining below Morgan County's 0.581%.

Median home of $122,700 draws $697 tax

An Obion County homeowner with the county's median-valued $122,700 home pays $697 annually in property tax—roughly $58 per month. With mortgage escrow included, that rises to $749 per year.

Check your assessment for overvaluation

Property assessment errors are common across Tennessee, and Obion County homeowners should verify their assessments against recent comparable sales. An appeal costs little and can result in meaningful annual savings if your home is assessed above its true market value.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Obion County

via CostByCounty

Obion County mirrors Tennessee's affordability challenge

Obion County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% sits nearly equal to Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, but lags behind the national context where median incomes are higher at $74,755 versus the county's $53,102. Monthly rents of $770 consume a meaningful chunk of local household budgets, signaling moderate housing stress.

Mid-tier affordability within Tennessee

Obion County ranks in Tennessee's middle band for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio hovering just below the state average. The county's lower-than-average median income compounds affordability challenges despite relatively modest rents.

Slightly cheaper than regional peers

Obion County's $770 median rent undercuts Putnam County ($881) and Rhea County ($796), placing it among the cheaper options in its region. Compared to Morgan County ($742), Obion rents run modestly higher, though still below Tennessee's state median of $860.

Rent takes 17.4% of median income

Obion County renters spend $770 monthly on housing from a median household income of $53,102—a 17.4% commitment that tracks closely with state averages. Homeowners face steeper ownership costs at $646 monthly on median home values of $122,700, one of Tennessee's lowest.

Obion offers affordable entry points for homebuyers

Job seekers considering rural Tennessee should note Obion County's combination of low home values ($122,700 median) and moderate ownership costs. The county rewards those prioritizing affordability over proximity to major urban centers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Obion County

via IncomeByCounty

Obion County Trails National Income Benchmark

Obion County's median household income of $53,102 lags the national median of $74,755 by $21,653, a 29% shortfall. This means typical households earn less than three-quarters of what the average American household brings in.

Below Tennessee's State Average

Obion County falls below Tennessee's median household income of $58,994, ranking among the lower-income counties statewide. The county's per capita income of $29,891 also dips below the state average of $31,458.

Among the Lower-Income Peer Counties

Obion County's $53,102 median income ranks below most neighboring rural counties, exceeding only Overton ($46,159) and Pickett ($44,591). Morgan County ($57,408) and Polk County ($60,227) both significantly outpace Obion's earnings.

Rental Market Strains Household Budgets

Obion County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% remains within the affordable range, though higher than Morgan County's 15.5%. With lower overall incomes, housing affordability pressures are more acute despite reasonable rent levels relative to earnings.

Prioritize Debt Reduction and Asset Building

Obion County households face tighter margins than wealthier counties, making financial discipline essential. Focus on eliminating high-interest debt first, then build a modest emergency fund—even $500–$1,000 provides a buffer against unexpected costs that could derail wealth-building efforts.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Obion County

via HealthByCounty

Obion County's health falls short nationally

Obion County's life expectancy of 71.9 years lags the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than four years, reflecting significant health disparities in the region. Nearly one in four residents (22.8%) report poor or fair health, nearly matching the national average of 17.9%.

Comparable to Tennessee's overall health profile

At 71.9 years, Obion County's life expectancy matches Tennessee's 0.5-year deficit from the national average and closely mirrors the state average of 72.4 years. The county's uninsured rate of 12.9% slightly exceeds Tennessee's average of 11.9%, though the difference is modest.

Strong primary care, best in region

Obion County stands out with 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, well above Morgan County (19 per 100K) and Rhea County (36 per 100K). Mental health support is equally robust at 49 providers per 100K, among the strongest in northwest Tennessee.

Good access, but coverage gaps remain

Obion County residents benefit from 43 primary care providers per 100K—strong access for rural Tennessee—yet 12.9% still lack health insurance. This coverage gap means that even with available providers, a significant share of the population may delay or avoid care due to cost.

Find coverage that works for your family

With strong healthcare infrastructure in place, the final step is ensuring you're covered. Explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or community health center sliding-scale services by calling 1-800-318-2596 or visiting healthcare.gov.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Obion County

via RiskByCounty

Obion County faces relatively moderate risk

Obion County's composite risk score of 81.30 substantially exceeds the national average, placing it in the relatively moderate category for disaster exposure. This elevation is driven primarily by extreme earthquake risk and very high tornado vulnerability.

Higher-risk county in Tennessee

Obion County ranks significantly above the Tennessee state average of 52.45 with a score of 81.30, placing it among the state's riskier counties. The county faces notably concentrated hazards compared to most of its peers.

Riskier than surrounding counties

Obion County (81.30) faces substantially higher disaster risk than neighboring Morgan County (19.05) and Overton County (22.23). Its hazard profile is distinctly more challenging than most adjacent areas in the region.

Earthquake and tornado threats dominate

Earthquake risk (96.60) presents an exceptionally high threat in Obion County, ranking among Tennessee's most seismically vulnerable areas. Tornado risk (70.64) compounds the danger, while moderate flood risk (38.07) adds a third significant hazard.

Prioritize earthquake and tornado insurance

Obion County residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance and strongly consider separate earthquake coverage given the county's 96.60 seismic risk score. Storm shelters and reinforced safe rooms offer critical protection against the county's high tornado threat (70.64).

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.