Pickett County's composite score of 79.6 exceeds the national median by 59%, making it one of the nation's most livable counties. Its ranking reflects outstanding tax efficiency and affordable housing that appeal broadly to value-conscious Americans.
2 / 5
Pickett County Leads Tennessee's Pack
Pickett County ranks first statewide with a composite score of 79.6, significantly outpacing Tennessee's average of 76.3. It represents the pinnacle of livability among Tennessee's 95 counties based on current composite metrics.
3 / 5
Unmatched Tax and Cost Efficiency
Pickett County boasts the state's best tax score of 91.8 (0.374% effective rate) and a cost score of 87.2, with median home values at $162,200 and rent at $755/month. These metrics represent the county's defining advantage for budget-minded families.
4 / 5
Limited Income Potential in Rural Economy
Pickett County's income score of 12.5 is the lowest in this peer group, with median household income at just $44,591, reflecting a small local job market. Critical data gaps remain on safety, health, schools, environmental factors, and natural disaster risk.
5 / 5
Top Choice for Financially Independent Movers
Pickett County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and financially independent families seeking maximum tax savings in a rural setting. Those dependent on local employment should carefully research job availability before committing to a move.
Pickett County's composite score of 79.6 exceeds the national median by 59%, making it one of the nation's most livable counties. Its ranking reflects outstanding tax efficiency and affordable housing that appeal broadly to value-conscious Americans.
Pickett County Leads Tennessee's Pack
Pickett County ranks first statewide with a composite score of 79.6, significantly outpacing Tennessee's average of 76.3. It represents the pinnacle of livability among Tennessee's 95 counties based on current composite metrics.
Unmatched Tax and Cost Efficiency
Pickett County boasts the state's best tax score of 91.8 (0.374% effective rate) and a cost score of 87.2, with median home values at $162,200 and rent at $755/month. These metrics represent the county's defining advantage for budget-minded families.
Limited Income Potential in Rural Economy
Pickett County's income score of 12.5 is the lowest in this peer group, with median household income at just $44,591, reflecting a small local job market. Critical data gaps remain on safety, health, schools, environmental factors, and natural disaster risk.
Top Choice for Financially Independent Movers
Pickett County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and financially independent families seeking maximum tax savings in a rural setting. Those dependent on local employment should carefully research job availability before committing to a move.
Score breakdown
5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.
🏛91.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Pickett County's 0.374% effective tax rate ranks in the lowest 5% nationally, representing just 14% of the national median property tax of $2,690. This exceptional rate makes Pickett one of the most affordable counties in America for property owners.
Well below Tennessee's statewide average
Pickett County's 0.374% rate is nearly one-quarter lower than Tennessee's 0.511% state average, ranking it among the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median tax of $606 on a $162,200 home demonstrates the county's commitment to low property taxation.
Pickett ties for lowest taxes in the region
Pickett's 0.374% rate ties with Overton County as the lowest in this analysis, dramatically undercutting all surrounding counties including Perry (0.580%), Morgan (0.581%), and Polk (0.565%). This positions Pickett as a tax haven for property owners in the Cumberland Plateau region.
A $162,200 home costs just $606 annually
Pickett County's median homeowner with a $162,200 home pays only $606 per year in property tax—about $50 monthly. Even with mortgage escrow included, the annual tax reaches just $765.
Appeal assessments that exceed market value
Property assessment errors can happen even in the most efficiently-run counties, and Pickett homeowners should compare their assessments to recent local sales. If your county assessment exceeds what your home would sell for today, file an appeal to reduce your tax burden.
Pickett County's rent burden exceeds state and national norms
Pickett County's 20.3% rent-to-income ratio surpasses Tennessee's 17.6% state average and signals meaningful affordability strain compared to national benchmarks. At just $44,591 median household income, residents paying $755 monthly in rent dedicate one-fifth of their earnings to housing costs.
Among Tennessee's least affordable rental counties
Pickett County ranks in the upper quartile of Tennessee counties for housing affordability challenges, with rent consuming a notably higher share of income than most peers. The county's combination of low median income and moderate rents creates genuine budget pressure for renters.
Rents modest but income too low
Pickett County's $755 median rent is competitive with Morgan County ($742) and Perry County ($747), yet the county's exceptionally low median income of $44,591 makes housing more burdensome than any neighboring county. The affordability challenge stems from income constraints, not rental costs.
Rent consumes 20.3% of median income
Pickett County renters spend $755 monthly—20.3% of the median household income of just $44,591—placing housing costs at the upper threshold of affordability stress. Homeowners face similarly priced ownership at $505 monthly on median home values of $162,200, suggesting broader income challenges beyond housing alone.
Pickett County requires careful income assessment
Relocating families should thoroughly evaluate local job opportunities and income growth potential before committing to Pickett County, where housing costs consume a higher-than-average share of earnings. The county's modest rents offer limited advantage if median incomes remain constrained.
Pickett County's median household income of $44,591 lags the national median of $74,755 by $30,164—a 40% shortfall. Typical households earn less than three-fifths of what average American households make.
Lowest-Income County in Peer Group
Pickett County ranks among Tennessee's lowest-income counties, falling $14,403 below the state median of $58,994. The per capita income of $28,784 reflects limited work opportunities and concentrated earnings.
Lowest Income Among Rural Peers
Pickett County's $44,591 median income is the lowest in its peer cluster, trailing even Overton County ($46,159) and Perry County ($50,489). Neighboring Polk County ($60,227) earns 35% more per household.
High Housing Cost Burden Despite Affordability
Pickett County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.3% approaches the affordability threshold, eating up a significant share of limited household earnings. The median home value of $162,200 represents 3.6 years of gross income—among the highest burdens—making homeownership a major financial commitment.
Urgent Focus on Income and Skill Development
Pickett County households face the steepest financial challenges in this peer group, requiring strategic action. Investing in education, certifications, and job training—or relocating for better employment opportunities—may be necessary to build sustainable wealth and close the income gap.
At 75.4 years, Pickett County's life expectancy is remarkably close to the U.S. average of 76.1 years—an outlier success in rural Tennessee. Yet 25.9% of residents report poor or fair health, well above the national average of 17.9%, suggesting underlying chronic health burdens despite longevity.
Pickett County leads Tennessee in life expectancy
At 75.4 years, Pickett County's life expectancy exceeds Tennessee's average of 72.4 years by three years—the highest in this peer group and among the state's leaders. However, its uninsured rate of 16.8% is the highest in the state average of 11.9%.
Exceptional primary care, limited mental health data
Pickett County boasts 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the highest among these eight counties and double Morgan County's rate. Mental health provider data is unavailable, limiting visibility into behavioral health capacity in the county.
Best primary care access, worst insurance coverage
Pickett County's 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent outstanding access, yet 16.8% of residents lack health insurance—a jarring gap. This means significant portions of the population cannot access even abundant primary care due to cost barriers.
Don't miss Pickett County's healthcare advantage
With exceptional primary care in place, getting insured is your next step. Call 1-800-318-2596 or visit healthcare.gov to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, and community health services so you can take advantage of the providers available in Pickett County.
Pickett County's composite risk score of 4.61 represents one of the lowest disaster exposure levels in the nation, placing it in the very low risk category. The county's geographic isolation provides exceptional protection across virtually all natural hazard types.
Lowest-risk county in Tennessee
Pickett County ranks at the absolute bottom of Tennessee's disaster risk scale with a score of 4.61, compared to the state average of 52.45. No other Tennessee county matches Pickett's exceptional safety profile.
Significantly safer than all neighbors
Pickett County (4.61) stands dramatically safer than surrounding counties including Overton (22.23), Morgan (19.05), and all other regional neighbors. The county represents an exceptional pocket of natural disaster safety in Tennessee.
All hazards present minimal risk
Pickett County's highest individual hazard scores remain remarkably low: earthquake risk (34.06), hurricane risk (35.59), and tornado risk (25.73) all fall well below state averages. Flood and wildfire risks are among the nation's lowest at 9.19 and 12.05 respectively.
Standard insurance provides adequate protection
Pickett County residents should maintain basic homeowners insurance as a standard financial safeguard, though the county's exceptional safety profile limits the need for supplemental disaster coverage. Standard policies adequately address the county's minimal hazard exposure.