Overton County's composite score of 78.7 surpasses the national median by 57%, making it one of the more livable counties across the United States. Its high score reflects exceptional tax advantages that offset lower income metrics.
2 / 5
Among Tennessee's Best Performers
Overton County ranks second in Tennessee with a composite score of 78.7, outpacing the state average of 76.3 by over two points. This places it among the state's most desirable counties for cost-conscious residents.
3 / 5
Exceptional Tax Rate and Home Affordability
Overton County leads its peer group with a tax score of 91.2, backed by the lowest effective tax rate at just 0.394% and median home values of $171,700. Combined with a cost score of 85.7, it delivers exceptional financial advantages for value-seeking families.
4 / 5
Income Growth Remains the Weakest Link
Overton County's income score of 13.5 is the lowest in this group, with median household income at just $46,159, indicating limited economic opportunity. Data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and risks are not yet available to round out the livability picture.
5 / 5
Perfect for Retirees Seeking Tax Havens
Overton County is best suited for retirees living on pensions or fixed incomes who prioritize minimizing taxes above all else. Those requiring local employment or higher earning potential should explore neighboring counties with stronger income profiles.
Overton County's composite score of 78.7 surpasses the national median by 57%, making it one of the more livable counties across the United States. Its high score reflects exceptional tax advantages that offset lower income metrics.
Among Tennessee's Best Performers
Overton County ranks second in Tennessee with a composite score of 78.7, outpacing the state average of 76.3 by over two points. This places it among the state's most desirable counties for cost-conscious residents.
Exceptional Tax Rate and Home Affordability
Overton County leads its peer group with a tax score of 91.2, backed by the lowest effective tax rate at just 0.394% and median home values of $171,700. Combined with a cost score of 85.7, it delivers exceptional financial advantages for value-seeking families.
Income Growth Remains the Weakest Link
Overton County's income score of 13.5 is the lowest in this group, with median household income at just $46,159, indicating limited economic opportunity. Data on safety, health, schools, water quality, and risks are not yet available to round out the livability picture.
Perfect for Retirees Seeking Tax Havens
Overton County is best suited for retirees living on pensions or fixed incomes who prioritize minimizing taxes above all else. Those requiring local employment or higher earning potential should explore neighboring counties with stronger income profiles.
Score breakdown
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🏛91.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Overton County offers exceptional tax affordability
Overton County's effective rate of just 0.394% is among the lowest in the nation, representing barely 15% of the national median property tax burden of $2,690. This places Overton in the lowest 5% of U.S. counties by effective tax rate.
One of Tennessee's most tax-friendly counties
Overton County ranks significantly below Tennessee's 0.511% average with its 0.394% effective rate, making it one of the state's lowest-taxing counties. The median property tax of $676 reflects both the low rate and the county's modest median home value of $171,700.
Overton leads the region in tax friendliness
At 0.394%, Overton ties with Pickett County as the lowest-taxing county in this analysis, significantly undercutting Morgan (0.581%), Obion (0.568%), and Polk (0.565%). Only Pickett matches Overton's exceptional affordability in the surrounding region.
A $171,700 home costs just $676 annually
Overton County's median homeowner with a $171,700 home pays only $676 per year in property tax—about $56 monthly. Even with mortgage escrow factored in, the annual tax reaches just $768.
Verify your assessment is accurate and fair
Even in low-tax counties like Overton, assessment errors do occur and can lead to overpayment. Review your property assessment against recent county sales of comparable homes, and file an appeal if you believe yours is valued too high.
Overton County faces serious rental affordability strain
Overton County's 21.7% rent-to-income ratio represents a significant affordability crisis—well above Tennessee's 17.6% state average and nearly 4 percentage points higher than the national baseline. With a median household income of just $46,159, renters paying $833 monthly face genuine housing burden in this East Tennessee county.
One of Tennessee's least affordable rental markets
Overton County ranks among Tennessee's counties with the highest rent-to-income ratios, reflecting the mismatch between local incomes and housing costs. The county's 21.7% figure signals that renters here dedicate more than one-fifth of their earnings to housing—a red flag for financial sustainability.
Rents high relative to income across region
Overton County's $833 median rent tracks above Morgan County ($742) and nearly matches Putnam County ($881), while the county's low median income of $46,159 makes housing more burdensome than any nearby peer. The rental market here presents one of the region's toughest affordability scenarios.
Rent consumes 21.7% of median income
Overton County renters dedicate a concerning 21.7% of their $46,159 median household income to gross rent at $833 monthly. Homeowners face more reasonable ownership costs of $505 monthly on higher median home values of $171,700, suggesting the rental market drives the county's affordability crisis.
Renters should explore homeownership alternatives here
Families relocating to Overton County face a rental market that demands a larger share of income than surrounding counties, but homeownership costs are comparatively modest. Consider this county primarily if you're ready to build equity rather than rent.
Overton County Significantly Below National Income
Overton County's median household income of $46,159 falls $28,596 short of the national median of $74,755—a stark 38% gap. Typical households earn just over half what average American households make.
Lowest Income Among Tennessee Peers
Overton County ranks among Tennessee's lowest-income counties, trailing the state median of $58,994 by nearly $13,000. Its per capita income of $30,191 sits just below the state average, suggesting earnings are concentrated among fewer workers.
Second-Lowest in Rural County Cluster
Overton County's $46,159 median income ranks second-lowest among its peer counties, beating only Pickett County ($44,591). Neighboring Polk County ($60,227) and Rhea County ($58,133) earn substantially more per household.
High Housing Cost Burden for Renters
Overton County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% pushes toward the affordability threshold, straining household budgets significantly. The median home value of $171,700 represents 3.7 years of gross income—one of the highest burdens in the peer group—limiting wealth accumulation opportunities.
Seek Income Growth and Budget Discipline
With tight household margins and elevated housing costs, Overton County residents should prioritize career development and skill-building to increase earnings. Consider community college programs, apprenticeships, or remote work opportunities that could lift household income closer to state and national averages.
At 71.8 years, Overton County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.1 years by more than four years, indicating substantial health challenges relative to the nation. Nearly 23% of residents report poor or fair health, above the national average of 17.9%.
Near Tennessee's average, slight underperformance
Overton County's life expectancy of 71.8 years is 0.6 years below Tennessee's average of 72.4 years, placing it slightly below the state median. The uninsured rate of 12.4% exceeds the state average of 11.9%, though marginally.
Better primary care, weaker mental health access
Overton County offers 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, substantially better than Morgan County (19 per 100K) but lower than Putnam County (67 per 100K). However, mental health support is critically limited at only 4 providers per 100K, the lowest in the region and a major gap in behavioral health services.
Primary care available, mental health harder to find
While Overton County has reasonable primary care access with 39 providers per 100,000 residents, residents needing mental health treatment face a severe shortage with only 4 providers available per 100K. Combined with a 12.4% uninsured rate, the county struggles to meet both physical and behavioral health needs.
Secure coverage and access mental health support
If you're uninsured or facing mental health challenges, coverage is your first step. Call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community mental health resources available to Overton County residents.
Overton County's composite risk score of 22.23 places it well below national averages, reflecting a very low disaster exposure profile. The county benefits from a relatively protected geographic position across multiple hazard types.
Among Tennessee's lowest-risk counties
Overton County scores 22.23 on the composite risk scale, well below Tennessee's state average of 52.45. This places the county among the safest communities in Tennessee for natural disaster exposure.
Comparable to nearby safer counties
Overton County (22.23) maintains similar low-risk status to Morgan County (19.05) and significantly outperforms Perry County (33.40) and Polk County (31.17). The county represents one of the region's most disaster-resistant communities.
Tornado and earthquake are moderate concerns
Tornado risk (45.23) and earthquake risk (53.75) represent Overton County's highest hazards, though both remain below state averages. Flood risk (27.35) poses minimal concern compared to neighboring counties.
Standard insurance covers most exposure
Overton County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance with attention to tornado and wind coverage. While earthquake risk is moderate (53.75), separate earthquake insurance may be considered as a prudent long-term investment.