countyscore
67.3
County Score
Property Tax 95.4Disaster Risk 95.4Safety 86.8

County Report Card

About Pickett County, Tennessee

Exceptional National Ranking

With a composite score of 67.3, Pickett County ranks significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. It offers a high-quality lifestyle that outperforms a large majority of U.S. counties.

Among Tennessee's Best

Pickett County's 67.3 score comfortably clears the Tennessee state average of 51.3. Its combination of low taxes and high safety makes it one of the most attractive rural options in the state.

Low Taxes, High Security

The county excels in fiscal and environmental categories, with tax and risk scores both reaching 95.4. Residents enjoy an incredibly low effective tax rate of 0.374% alongside safety scores of 86.8.

Local Wages and Water

Local wages are quite low, as reflected in the income score of 6.8 and median income of $44,591. Water quality also presents a specific challenge, with its score of 20.2 being the county's lowest metric.

A Haven for Retirees

This county is a haven for retirees and safety-conscious residents who value low taxes and environmental resilience. It offers a secure and fiscally friendly environment for those with established external incomes.

2040608010095.484.286.823.9556.895.420.273.7Tax95.4Cost84.2Safety86.8Health23.9Schools55Income6.8Risk95.4Water20.2Weather73.767.3/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Pickett County DNA

C-overall

How Pickett County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Pickett County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (95.4/100) but notably weak in Income (6.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
95.4+43.400000000000006
Cost
84.2+36.2
Safety
86.8+31.799999999999997
Health
23.9-26.1
Schools
55
Income
6.8-44.2
Risk
95.4+48.400000000000006
Water
20.2-37.8
Weather
73.7+17.700000000000003
Sponsored

Compare mortgage rates in Pickett County

Whether buying or refinancing in Pickett County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

See Today's Rates

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$162,200

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$755/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$162,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,200/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $44,591/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

79.0

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 Pickett County with Ouray County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Ouray County
Colorado
Median income: $84,556
67.3
Martin County
Kentucky
Median income: $46,185
67.3
Cedar County
Nebraska
Median income: $73,977
67.3
Deuel County
South Dakota
Median income: $79,556
67.3
Osage County
Missouri
Median income: $75,355
67.2
Perry County
Alabama
Median income: $34,368
67.4
Pope County
Illinois
Median income: $62,500
67.4
Casey County
Kentucky
Median income: $41,689
67.4

Nearby counties

Clinton County
Kentucky
70
Fentress County
Tennessee
56.5
Overton County
Tennessee
53.2
Wayne County
Kentucky
63
Clay County
Tennessee
64.2
Cumberland County
Kentucky
70.5
Russell County
Kentucky
65.5
Scott County
Tennessee
57.8

Deep Dives

Pickett County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Pickett County

via TaxByCounty

Pickett County: among nation's lowest-taxed

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pickett County

via CostByCounty

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pickett County

via IncomeByCounty

Pickett County Faces Steep National Income Gap

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Pickett County

via CrimeByCounty

Pickett County shows elite safety rankings

Pickett County reports a total crime rate of only 297.5 per 100,000 residents, leading to a near-perfect safety score of 99.5. This rate is nearly eight times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. Data comes from a single agency, reflecting a very high level of security for the local population.

Top-tier safety performer in the state

With a safety score of 99.5, Pickett County significantly outperforms the Tennessee state average of 97.2. Its total crime rate of 297.5 is also far lower than the state's average of 1,785.6. It is officially one of the least active areas for crime in Tennessee.

Significantly safer than regional neighbors

Pickett County's crime rate is less than a quarter of Overton County's rate of 1,386.4. While neighboring counties face more frequent incidents, Pickett remains a quiet outlier in the region. The low volume of reporting agencies matches the low volume of reported crimes.

Very few violent or property offenses

The violent crime rate is just 39.7 per 100,000, compared to a national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 257.8, which is also a fraction of the national 2,015.7 average. Most residents will likely go through the year without experiencing any criminal activity.

Preserve your peace of mind

Pickett County is extremely safe, but simple precautions like locking car doors can prevent minor thefts. Keeping an eye on your neighbors' properties helps maintain this high level of community safety. Security here is more about prevention than responding to active threats.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Pickett County

via SchoolsByCounty

Tennessee's Most Streamlined School System

Pickett County maintains one of the state's simplest education structures with just two public schools. These institutions serve a total of 644 students within a single school district. The landscape consists of one elementary school for younger learners and one high school for grades 9-12.

High Graduation Rates and Steady Scores

Pickett County achieves a 95.0% graduation rate, which is significantly higher than the national 87% average. The district spends $6,366 per student, slightly outpacing the state average of $6,215. This investment supports a school score of 54.8, placing the county above both state and national medians.

Unified District Serving the Community

The Pickett County school district manages the entire student population across its two campuses. No charter schools operate in the county, ensuring that all 644 students benefit from the same local resources and standards. This centralized model creates a strong, singular identity for student life in the area.

A Classic Rural School Experience

Both schools in the county are located in rural settings, offering a peaceful environment for study. Pickett County Elementary is the larger site with 445 students, while Pickett County High School maintains an intimate 199 students. The average school size of 322 creates a tight-knit atmosphere where students transition together as a single cohort.

Small Town Living with Strong Schools

Searching for a home in Pickett County means looking for a close community where the high school is the center of local activity. With high graduation rates and small class sizes, the area is perfect for families who want a quiet, rural lifestyle. Investing here provides children with a consistent and high-performing academic path.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pickett County

via RiskByCounty

Pickett County is Tennessee's safest

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Pickett County

via WaterByCounty

Health Violations Drive Grade F for Pickett

Pickett County currently holds a Grade F for drinking water due to 11 health violations over the last five years. This results in a violation rate of 130.5 per 100,000 people, nearly four times the state average of 34.6. Local residents should stay informed about their utility's remediation efforts to meet Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Runoff and Bacteria Impact Pickett's Streams

Despite drinking water challenges, only 9.5% of assessed water bodies in the county are impaired, well below the state average of 30.2%. The 2022 reporting cycle notes that E. coli, nitrates, and phosphorus are the primary pollutants affecting 2 of the 21 assessed sites. These impairments suggest that agricultural or septic runoff is impacting localized areas.

Microbiological Tracking at Local Monitoring Sites

Pickett County has a small monitoring footprint, with 622 measurements recorded across 7 sites over the last five years. Data collection focuses heavily on nutrients and microbiological characteristics to track the E. coli and nitrate levels identified in the watershed. This targeted monitoring is crucial for identifying the sources of local contamination.

Wolf River Discharge Hits 10% of Normal

The Wolf River near Byrdstown is currently flowing at a critically low 19 cfs. This represents only 10% of the long-term mean flow of 189 cfs for this time of year. For the 106-square-mile drainage area, these low levels can negatively impact water temperature and aquatic biodiversity.

Urgent Need for Filtration and Bacterial Awareness

Given the Grade F compliance score and 130.5 violation rate, residents should consider high-quality home water filtration and regular testing. Be particularly cautious of E. coli and nitrates in local streams, which are currently vulnerable due to extremely low flows on the Wolf River. Check with local health officials for the latest advisories on drinking water safety.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Pickett County

via WeatherByCounty

A Refreshing Southern Climate

Pickett County’s 55.5°F average temperature sits comfortably above the national median but below many of its southern neighbors. The area enjoys a cooler profile than typical Tennessee lowlands.

One of Tennessee’s Cooler Spots

Averaging 55.5°F, Pickett is notably cooler than the state average of 58.1°F. It serves as a temperate retreat during the height of summer.

Moderate Heat Compared to Others

Pickett is much milder in the summer with only 12 extreme heat days compared to the state average. Its 54.6 inches of rain is slightly below the Tennessee average.

Mild Summers and Chilly Winters

July averages stay at 74.2°F, offering relief from the sweltering heat found elsewhere. While specific snowfall data is unavailable, winter temperatures average a crisp 37.4°F.

Focus on Winter Home Insulation

Focus on home insulation to stay comfortable during the 35°F January nights. Summer cooling costs are generally lower here because the county sees very few days above 90°F.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Pickett County

via SoilByCounty

Pickett County Soil Characteristics

Data regarding pH levels and taxonomic orders are currently not available for Pickett County. This prevents direct comparisons to the national median pH of 6.5.

Composition Data Under Review

Official records for sand, silt, and clay percentages are not yet part of the county's digital soil survey. Local residents should monitor soil drainage to gauge their plot's composition.

Assessing Agricultural Potential

Measurements for organic matter and water capacity are currently missing from the dataset. These factors are critical for determining the specific fertilization needs of local crops.

Hydrologic Profiles for Pickett

The county lacks specific drainage class and hydrologic group data at this time. We suggest consulting local agricultural extensions for site-specific soil testing before building.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 7a

Pickett County falls into zone 7a, supporting a variety of hardy vegetables and berries. Focus on building soil structure through organic mulching to ensure garden success.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pickett County

via LawnByCounty

Pickett County: A Lawn Care Leader

Pickett County boasts an impressive lawn difficulty score of 73.3, making it one of the easiest places in Tennessee to grow a lawn. This score is far higher than the national median of 50.0 and the state average of 48.0. Residents in Zone 7a benefit from a climate that naturally supports lush turf.

Cooler Summers and Steady Rainfall

With only 12 extreme heat days annually, Pickett County avoids the scorching temperatures that stress lawns elsewhere in the state. The area receives 54.6 inches of precipitation, providing ample hydration for the 3735 growing degree days. This combination reduces the need for constant supplemental irrigation.

Focusing on pH Without Specific Data

Although detailed soil texture data is unavailable, the high lawn score suggests the local environment is very hospitable. Homeowners should still aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to optimize nutrient uptake. Periodic soil testing remains the best way to tailor your fertilization and liming strategy.

Resilient Landscapes in Dry Times

Pickett County has only seen 4 weeks of drought over the past year, far less than many neighboring counties. Currently, 54.4% of the area is abnormally dry, but there are no severe drought zones. This consistency allows for a more relaxed watering schedule compared to the rest of Tennessee.

Optimal Planting Windows in Pickett

Cool-season grasses like Tall Fescue thrive in the mild summers of Zone 7a. Schedule your seeding for late April, following the last frost on April 25. Be sure to have your lawn established before the first fall frost arrives on October 25.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pickett County's county score?
Pickett County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 67.3 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 Pickett County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Pickett County ranks #3 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 Pickett County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Pickett County is $606, with an effective tax rate of 0.37%. This earns Pickett County a tax score of 95.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pickett County?
The median household income in Pickett County, Tennessee is $44,591 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pickett County earns an income score of 6.8/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pickett County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Pickett County scores 67.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Pickett 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 Pickett County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.