CountyScore

Sequatchie County

Tennessee · TN

#39 in Tennessee
71.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Sequatchie County, Tennessee

Sequatchie Scores Well Above National Median

Sequatchie County's composite score of 77.8 ranks it 56 percent above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the stronger-performing U.S. counties for livability. Tax efficiency and housing affordability drive this solid national standing.

Sequatchie Exceeds Tennessee Benchmark

With a score of 77.8, Sequatchie County outperforms the state average of 76.3 and ranks in the upper tier of Tennessee's 95 counties. The county delivers above-average livability benefits compared to typical Tennessee communities.

Tax Efficiency Leads the Way

Sequatchie County achieves the lowest effective tax rate of 0.453% among all eight counties (tax score: 89.5) and pairs this with strong affordability, scoring 84.1 on cost with median rent of $842/month and home values of $217,800. The combination offers exceptional tax savings and accessible housing.

Income Opportunities Remain Limited

The county's income score of 17.5 reflects a median household income of $52,260, the second-lowest in this group, signaling limited local employment prospects or earning potential. Safety, health, school, and water quality data remain unavailable, requiring future verification before deciding to move.

Perfect for Tax-Saving Remote Workers

Sequatchie County best serves remote workers, retirees, and families with income sources outside the local economy who want to minimize taxes and housing costs. The county's exceptional tax rate makes it particularly appealing for those with flexible earning arrangements.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.5Cost84.1SafetyComing SoonHealth57.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.5Risk59.8WaterComing Soon
🏛89.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.8
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 Sequatchie County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Autauga County
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71.1
Median income: $69,841
Lawrence County
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71.1
Median income: $60,040
Limestone County
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71.1
Median income: $83,534
Lowndes County
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71.1
Median income: $35,160
North Slope Borough
Alaska
71.1
Median income: $86,313

Deep Dives

Sequatchie County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sequatchie County

via TaxByCounty

Sequatchie offers some of Tennessee's best tax rates

Sequatchie County's 0.453% effective rate is the region's lowest, producing an annual median tax of $986 on homes valued at $217,800. This represents just one-third the national median property tax burden of $2,690.

Sequatchie runs well below state average rate

At 0.453%, Sequatchie's effective tax rate significantly undercuts Tennessee's 0.511% state average—a meaningful 11% difference. The median tax bill of $986 falls 3% below the state median of $1,016.

Sequatchie boasts the region's lowest rate

Sequatchie's 0.453% effective rate beats every surrounding county, with only Sevier County's 0.314% offering lower taxation. On median properties valued at $217,800, Sequatchie residents pay $986—the regional sweet spot for rural affordability.

What Sequatchie homeowners pay yearly

On the median home value of $217,800 with a 0.453% effective rate, Sequatchie homeowners owe approximately $986 annually. Mortgage obligations add just $22, bringing the total to $1,008.

Even Sequatchie residents should verify their assessments

Low tax rates don't guarantee accurate assessments—Sequatchie homeowners should still compare their valuation to recent comparable sales. If your property was assessed before recent market shifts, an appeal could yield additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Sequatchie County

via CostByCounty

Sequatchie balances modest income with fair housing

Sequatchie County's 19.3% rent-to-income ratio sits above national comfort levels, yet the median household income of $52,260 falls $22,495 below the national average, suggesting residents here trade geographic isolation for housing affordability. The $842 monthly rent reflects a rural county market substantially below metro norms.

Sequatchie ranks near Tennessee's middle tier

At 19.3%, Sequatchie's rent-to-income ratio exceeds Tennessee's 17.6% state average by less than 2 percentage points, positioning the county in the state's middle range despite lower-than-average incomes. The $842 median rent sits just below the state average of $860, reflecting typical rural Tennessee pricing.

Sequatchie offers balance between cost and access

Sequatchie's $842 rent undercuts neighbor Sevier County's $1,013 by $171 monthly while exceeding Roane County's $767, reflecting its position as a rural county without the metro pressures of Sevier or Rutherford. The trade-off: modest savings in exchange for geographic remoteness.

Housing costs reasonable relative to income

Sequatchie residents allocate roughly $842 monthly to rent or $603 to ownership costs from a median income of $52,260—consuming about 19% of household earnings on housing. The median home value of $217,800 offers surprising equity potential for a rural county with limited income.

Sequatchie appeals to income-flexible relocators

If you work remotely or draw income from elsewhere, Sequatchie County's $842 rent and $217,800 median home value offer exceptional value compared to its income-based county peers. Assess whether the county's rural isolation suits your lifestyle—if connectivity and opportunity matter less than affordability, Sequatchie delivers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Sequatchie County

via IncomeByCounty

Sequatchie falls significantly short nationally

Sequatchie County's median household income of $52,260 trails the national median of $74,755 by $22,495, representing a 30% earnings deficit. This gap underscores the economic challenges facing rural Appalachian counties.

Sequatchie ranks in Tennessee's lower tier

Sequatchie County's median household income of $52,260 places it in the bottom quarter of Tennessee's 95 counties, 11.5% below the state average of $58,994. The county's limited job base and aging population compound economic headwinds.

Sequatchie outpaces only Scott County

Among these eight counties, Sequatchie's $52,260 income ranks seventh, ahead of only Scott County ($42,679). Sequatchie lags Roane ($66,218) by $13,958, reflecting its more rural economic structure and limited urban job centers.

Housing costs are relatively stable

Sequatchie's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% is moderate, with a median home value of $217,800 that demands roughly $42,000 annually in housing costs. While manageable, this proportion leaves households limited flexibility for savings or unexpected expenses.

Focus on affordable wealth-building tools

Sequatchie households can build wealth through employer 401(k)s, even with modest matching, and high-yield savings accounts offering 4-5% returns. Consider skill-building investments in high-demand trades to increase earning potential alongside consistent saving habits.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Sequatchie County

via HealthByCounty

Sequatchie's life span masks health struggles

Sequatchie County's 75.2-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 71.4 years by 3.8 years, yet nearly 1 in 4 residents (25.9%) report poor or fair health—one of the worst rates nationally. This paradox suggests a county where some residents live long lives while many experience chronic illness and disability. The county faces a hidden health burden obscured by average life expectancy.

Sequatchie's uninsured rate alarms

At 75.2 years, Sequatchie's life expectancy ranks above Tennessee's 72.4-year average, but the county's 14.9% uninsured rate—the highest among the eight profiled counties—substantially exceeds Tennessee's 11.9% average. Nearly 1 in 6 Sequatchie residents lack coverage, creating cascading barriers to diagnosis and management of the chronic conditions driving the high poor/fair health rate. This coverage gap is a critical vulnerability.

Sequatchie's provider shortage is severe

Sequatchie's 75.2-year life expectancy ranks second-highest regionally, but its 18 primary care providers per 100,000 is the lowest among all eight counties—less than half Robertson's rate. Mental health capacity at just 18 providers per 100,000 is also the weakest regionally, leaving residents isolated in managing behavioral health alongside chronic disease. Provider scarcity contradicts the county's respectable life expectancy.

Chronic illness thrives in provider desert

Sequatchie's 25.9% poor/fair health rate (highest among the eight counties) directly reflects its 18 primary care providers per 100,000—a critical shortage that prevents disease management and early intervention. With 14.9% uninsured, the county combines provider scarcity with insurance gaps, meaning chronically ill residents often lack access to specialists, medications, and monitoring. This perfect storm of barriers explains why health-adjusted life expectancy lags far behind raw life expectancy.

Coverage unlocks access to scarce providers

Sequatchie's 14.9% uninsured rate—the highest of all eight counties—must be the first priority; start enrollment at Healthcare.gov or contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance to explore coverage options. Once insured, work with your provider to establish relationships with distant primary care and specialist offices, and consider telehealth options to bridge the provider gap. Coverage won't instantly create more doctors, but it removes the financial barriers preventing you from reaching them.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Sequatchie County

via RiskByCounty

Sequatchie maintains very low national risk

Sequatchie County scores 40.17 on composite risk—a Very Low rating and 20% below the national average. This favorable standing reflects the county's sheltered valley location and relatively stable exposure to multiple hazard types. Sequatchie residents enjoy one of the nation's more forgiving natural disaster profiles.

Well below Tennessee's average risk

At 40.17, Sequatchie sits 23% below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the lower third of the state's counties. This advantageous ranking stems from moderate scores across all five hazard categories rather than any extreme low or high. Sequatchie represents a balanced, low-risk environment for the state.

Safer than most East Tennessee peers

Sequatchie (40.17) ranks lower-risk than Roane (68.99) and Sevier (77.39) but higher than Scott County (26.11) in the immediate region. Its wildfire risk (50.95) is notably elevated compared to Middle Tennessee but moderate for East Tennessee. Sequatchie occupies a sweet spot—safer than neighboring mountain counties but not isolation-level low.

Wildfire and earthquake pose mild threats

Sequatchie's highest risks are wildfire (50.95) and earthquake (52.29), both moderate rather than extreme, reflecting the county's Appalachian geography. Tornado risk (47.42) and flood risk (35.08) remain below state average, while hurricane risk (24.20) is minimal. Compared to neighboring counties, Sequatchie's hazard profile is remarkably balanced.

Standard coverage handles your main risks

A comprehensive homeowners policy covering tornado, wind, and wildfire damage provides solid protection for Sequatchie's moderate hazard environment. Maintain defensible space around your property to reduce wildfire risk, and keep gutters clear of debris. Given Sequatchie's lower-risk profile, standard insurance typically suffices, though individual properties near flood-prone areas should verify separate flood coverage.

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.