countyscore
53.1
County Score
Property Tax 81.5Weather & Climate 66.8Income & Jobs 66.4

County Report Card

About Roane County, Tennessee

Roane County Outperforms the National Median

Roane County earns a composite score of 53.0, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a balance of affordability and economic stability that surpasses many comparable counties across the United States.

A Strong Performer in Tennessee

With a score of 53.0, Roane County exceeds the Tennessee state average of 51.3. This ranking highlights the county's competitive edge in the region, particularly regarding taxpayer value.

High Tax Efficiency and Affordability

Roane County excels with a Tax Score of 80.3, supported by a low effective tax rate of 0.552%. Housing remains accessible for many residents, as evidenced by the $767 median monthly rent and a solid Cost Score of 60.4.

Addressing Environmental and Safety Risks

The county faces hurdles in its Risk Score of 31.0 and Safety Score of 34.5, which are its lowest dimensions. Improving public safety infrastructure and environmental resilience could help elevate its overall standing.

The Verdict: Ideal for Budget-Conscious Households

Roane County is an excellent fit for families and retirees looking for low taxes and affordable housing while staying above the state average for overall livability. Its low cost of living provides a significant financial cushion compared to neighboring metro areas.

2040608010081.558.234.541.454.766.43146.566.8Tax81.5Cost58.2Safety34.5Health41.4Schools54.7Income66.4Risk31Water46.5Weather66.853.1/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Roane County DNA

Foverall

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

Roane County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (81.5/100) but notably weak in Safety (34.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
81.5+29.5
Cost
58.2+10.200000000000003
Safety
34.5-20.5
Health
41.4-8.600000000000001
Schools
54.7
Income
66.4+15.400000000000006
Risk
31-16
Water
46.5-11.5
Weather
66.8+10.799999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Roane County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$232,900

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$785/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$232,900/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,400/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.2x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $71,885/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

11.0

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Roane County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Roane County

via TaxByCounty

Roane's taxes fall well below national median

At 0.552%, Roane County's effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median property tax of $2,690 annually. Homeowners here pay roughly $1,172 per year on a median home valued at $212,300—less than half the national burden on comparable properties.

Roane ranks slightly above state average

Roane's 0.552% effective rate exceeds Tennessee's 0.511% state average, placing it in the middle tier of counties statewide. The median tax bill of $1,172 runs about 15% higher than the state median of $1,016.

Roane fits between mountain and valley counties

Roane's 0.552% rate sits between Sequatchie County's low 0.453% and Rutherford County's 0.507%, reflecting regional variation. Local homeowners pay about $1,172 annually versus Rutherford's $1,757 and Sequatchie's $986—a $585 spread across nearby communities.

What Roane homeowners actually pay yearly

On the median home value of $212,300, the effective rate of 0.552% translates to roughly $1,172 annually without mortgage obligation. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,223—a modest $51 difference.

Many Roane homeowners could reduce their burden

Property tax appeals are available to Roane County homeowners who believe their assessment is inflated. If your home has declined in value or was recently assessed above fair market price, contacting the assessor's office could uncover significant savings.

Income & Jobs in Roane County

via IncomeByCounty

Roane earns above the state, below nation

Roane County's median household income of $66,218 outpaces Tennessee's state average of $58,994 by 12%, but falls short of the national median of $74,755. This positions Roane as a moderately performing county in the broader U.S. income landscape.

Roane ranks in Tennessee's upper middle

Among Tennessee's 95 counties, Roane County's $66,218 median household income places it solidly in the upper-middle tier. The county outearns roughly 60% of its state peers, reflecting a relatively stable local economy.

Roane lags faster-growing Rutherford

Roane's $66,218 income trails Robertson County ($78,439) and Rutherford County ($82,588), both of which benefit from suburban growth and job migration. However, Roane significantly outearns Scott County ($42,679) and Sequatchie County ($52,260), its more rural neighbors.

Housing costs are manageable here

Roane's rent-to-income ratio of 13.9% is the healthiest among the eight counties profiled, well below the national affordability threshold of 30%. A median household earning $66,218 can comfortably sustain the median home value of $212,300 while maintaining financial flexibility.

Build on Roane's income stability

With above-state-average income and favorable housing costs, Roane households are positioned to invest in retirement and wealth-building. Consider maxing out 401(k) contributions and exploring low-cost index funds to compound gains over time.

Safety in Roane County

via CrimeByCounty

Roane County Exceeds National Safety Standards

Roane County maintains an impressive safety score of 97.6, significantly outperforming many regions across the country. Its total crime rate of 1,521.0 per 100K residents sits well below the national average of 2,385.5.

A Top Performer in Tennessee Safety

With a safety score of 97.6, Roane County ranks above the Tennessee state average of 97.2. Local law enforcement across six reporting agencies keeps total crime lower than the state average of 1,785.6 per 100K.

Leading Nearby Counties in Security

Roane County is safer than neighboring Sevier County, which reports a higher crime rate of 2,062.8 per 100K. This region offers a more secure environment than larger hubs like Rutherford County.

Property Crimes Outpace Violent Incidents

Violent crime remains low at 204.5 per 100K, which is nearly half the national rate. Most reported incidents are property crimes, which occur at a rate of 1,316.5 per 100K residents.

Stay Vigilant to Keep Roane Safe

While Roane is statistically very safe, residents should remain proactive about home security. Basic measures like smart lighting and locked entry points help maintain these exceptionally low crime numbers.

Weather & Climate in Roane County

via WeatherByCounty

A Moderate Southern Profile

Roane County’s 58.0°F average temperature sits right at the national median for a humid subtropical zone. The climate is characterized by warm summers and short, cool winters.

Perfectly Average for Tennessee

At 58.0°F, Roane is almost exactly in line with the Tennessee state average of 58.1°F. It serves as a benchmark for the state's weather patterns.

Comparing Valley Heat Trends

Roane experiences 35 days of extreme heat, slightly more than Rhea’s 31 days. It receives a healthy 59.6 inches of rain, keeping the landscape green year-round.

Warm Summers with Rare Snow

July temperatures average 77.3°F, contributing to five weeks of 90-degree weather. Snow remains a rarity, averaging just 1.9 inches per year.

Manage Humidity and Summer Heat

Use dehumidifiers to stay comfortable during the rainy 59-inch seasons. Plan for high energy usage in the summer when temperatures frequently exceed 90°F.

Soil Quality in Roane County

via SoilByCounty

Highly acidic soils in Roane County

Roane County features a fairly acidic soil profile with an average pH of 5.17, which sits notably lower than the national median of 6.5. While specific taxonomic data is limited for this region, the 44.2 soil score indicates health that exceeds the Tennessee state average of 38.5.

A balanced mix of sand and silt

The soil composition here is 44.2% silt and 32.2% sand, creating a textured environment with 18.7% clay content. This specific ratio provides a stable structure that balances aeration and density, though workability depends on managing the acidity.

Exceptional organic matter levels

Organic matter in Roane County is impressive at 5.10%, more than doubling the state average of 2.44% and the national average of 2.0%. However, the available water capacity of 0.162 in/in is slightly below the state benchmark of 0.171 in/in, requiring more frequent monitoring during dry spells.

Managing local water movement

While specific drainage classes are not officially mapped for this area, the composition suggests moderate permeability for local growers. Farmers and builders should consider the high organic content when planning structural foundations or irrigation systems.

Hardy growth in Zone 7b

The USDA Hardiness Zone 7b supports a wide variety of perennials and seasonal vegetables that thrive in acidic conditions. Use this rich organic foundation to start a garden featuring blueberries or azaleas, which naturally prefer this soil's unique chemistry.

Lawn Care in Roane County

via LawnByCounty

Managing the Roane County Ridge

Roane County earns a 41.9 lawn difficulty score, making it significantly harder to maintain than the national median of 50.0. In USDA Hardiness Zone 7b, homeowners navigate a climate that sits below the Tennessee state average score of 48.0. Residents must balance high rainfall with recent severe weather trends to keep grass healthy.

Ample Rain Meets Summer Heat

The county receives 59.6 inches of annual precipitation, which exceeds the ideal lawn range of 30-50 inches. With 4,265 growing degree days and 35 extreme heat days, turf grows rapidly but faces significant heat stress. The typical growing season begins after the final frost on April 8 and lasts until early November.

Neutralizing Acidic Appalachian Soils

The local soil pH of 5.17 is sharply acidic compared to the ideal 6.0-7.0 range for most turfgrasses. While the clay content is moderate at 18.7%, the high acidity levels mean regular lime applications are necessary to unlock nutrients. Although drainage data is limited, the 32.2% sand content helps prevent total saturation during heavy rains.

Battling Severe Drought Conditions

Roane County faced 19 weeks in drought over the past year, with 47.7% of the area currently under severe drought conditions. Every acre of the county is considered abnormally dry, requiring deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root growth. Mulching grass clippings back into the lawn can help retain moisture during these stressful periods.

Selecting Your Roane County Turf

Tall Fescue and Bermuda grass are excellent choices for Zone 7b, providing a balance of heat tolerance and durability. Plan to seed or sod shortly after the April 8 spring frost or in early September for optimal root establishment. With the right grass type and consistent soil pH management, your lawn can thrive despite the local challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Roane County's county score?
Roane County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 53.1 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 Roane County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Roane County ranks #43 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 Roane County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Roane County is $1,223, with an effective tax rate of 0.53%. This earns Roane County a tax score of 81.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Roane County?
The median household income in Roane County, Tennessee is $71,885 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Roane County earns an income score of 66.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Roane County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Roane County scores 53.1/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #43 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Roane 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 Roane County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

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