Sevier County's composite score of 77.5 places it 55 percent above the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the nation's strongest livability performers. The county's exceptionally low tax burden is a primary driver of its strong national position.
2 / 5
Sevier Tops State Average Performance
With a score of 77.5, Sevier County exceeds Tennessee's state average of 76.3 and ranks in the top tier among the state's 95 counties. The county delivers livability benefits that surpass the typical Tennessee community.
3 / 5
Tax Rate Is Nation's Best in Group
Sevier County leads with a remarkable tax score of 93.4 and an effective tax rate of just 0.314%—the lowest among all eight counties—creating significant tax savings for residents. The cost score of 78.6 reflects moderate housing affordability with median rent of $1,013/month and home values of $259,500.
4 / 5
Income Potential Trails Peer Counties
The county's income score of 25.1 reflects a median household income of $63,829, indicating modest earning opportunities compared to higher-income peers like Rutherford. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and water resources is not yet available for a full livability assessment.
5 / 5
Exceptional Choice for Tax-Minimizing Families
Sevier County appeals strongly to tax-conscious families, retirees, and households with external income sources seeking to maximize take-home earnings. The nation-leading tax rate combined with reasonable housing costs makes it an attractive option for those prioritizing financial efficiency.
Sevier County's composite score of 77.5 places it 55 percent above the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the nation's strongest livability performers. The county's exceptionally low tax burden is a primary driver of its strong national position.
Sevier Tops State Average Performance
With a score of 77.5, Sevier County exceeds Tennessee's state average of 76.3 and ranks in the top tier among the state's 95 counties. The county delivers livability benefits that surpass the typical Tennessee community.
Tax Rate Is Nation's Best in Group
Sevier County leads with a remarkable tax score of 93.4 and an effective tax rate of just 0.314%—the lowest among all eight counties—creating significant tax savings for residents. The cost score of 78.6 reflects moderate housing affordability with median rent of $1,013/month and home values of $259,500.
Income Potential Trails Peer Counties
The county's income score of 25.1 reflects a median household income of $63,829, indicating modest earning opportunities compared to higher-income peers like Rutherford. Complete data on safety, health, schools, and water resources is not yet available for a full livability assessment.
Exceptional Choice for Tax-Minimizing Families
Sevier County appeals strongly to tax-conscious families, retirees, and households with external income sources seeking to maximize take-home earnings. The nation-leading tax rate combined with reasonable housing costs makes it an attractive option for those prioritizing financial efficiency.
Score breakdown
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🏛93.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Sevier County offers exceptional property tax relief
Sevier County's 0.314% effective rate is Tennessee's lowest, generating just $815 in annual taxes on a median home worth $259,500. This represents less than one-third the national median property tax burden.
Sevier's rate is dramatically below state average
At 0.314%, Sevier's effective tax rate is 38% lower than Tennessee's 0.511% state average—the most dramatic discount in the region. Despite higher median home values at $259,500, the median tax bill of just $815 runs 20% below the state median.
Sevier offers the region's most competitive rates
Sevier's 0.314% rate crushes every other county profiled here, undercutting even Sequatchie's 0.453% by 140 basis points. Homeowners here pay $815 annually—lowest in the region on properties worth middle-of-the-road valuations.
What Sevier homeowners owe each year
On the median home value of $259,500 with a 0.314% effective rate, Sevier homeowners pay approximately $815 annually. Including mortgage-related taxes, the bill rises to $900—still the region's most affordable.
Sevier homeowners should still check their assessments
Even with Tennessee's lowest tax rate, homeowners benefit from verifying their property assessment against market comparables. If your home's assessed value is inflated, filing an appeal—even in low-tax Sevier—protects your investment.
Sevier County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds national affordability norms despite a median household income of $63,829 that falls below the national average of $74,755. The $1,013 monthly rent reflects the county's Gatlinburg-driven tourism economy, which inflates housing costs beyond what local wages can support.
Sevier ranks above average in housing burden
Sevier County's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Tennessee's 17.6% state average, and its $1,013 median rent runs $153 above state norms—a premium directly tied to Sevier's dominant tourism sector and seasonal demand. The county's housing costs reflect visitor-driven real estate markets, not purely local economic conditions.
Sevier's prime location commands housing premium
Sevier's $1,013 monthly rent significantly exceeds Roane County's $767 and Sequatchie County's $842, reflecting its proximity to Gatlinburg's attractions and the resulting tourism-driven housing demand. Yet Sevier's rent remains well below Rutherford County's $1,405, showing the limits of tourism-driven pricing.
Tourism dollars support higher housing costs
Sevier residents spend roughly 19% of their $63,829 median income on rent ($1,013) or 14% on ownership costs ($750)—a split that suggests many residents benefit from tourist-season economic activity beyond the median income. The median home value of $259,500 reflects a market where seasonal tourism wealth drives appreciation.
Sevier suits those seeking mountain living premium
If you're drawn to Sevier County's Gatlinburg-adjacent lifestyle and tourism-dependent economy, budget 19% of income for housing costs—a premium justified by natural amenities and seasonal opportunity. Compare whether Sevier's mountain proximity and tourism appeal justify rents $150+ above state average versus more affordable neighboring counties.
Sevier County's median household income of $63,829 falls $10,926 short of the national median of $74,755, though it outperforms most rural mountain counties. This reflects Sevier's status as a tourism destination with seasonal employment patterns.
Sevier ranks solidly in Tennessee midfield
Sevier County's median household income of $63,829 exceeds Tennessee's state average of $58,994 by 8.2%, placing it in the middle-to-upper tier of Tennessee's 95 counties. Tourism-driven employment bolsters the local wage base.
Sevier outearns mountain peers, trails suburbs
Sevier's $63,829 income positions it between rural counties like Sequatchie ($52,260) and Roane ($66,218). The county significantly lags the Nashville-area boom counties of Robertson ($78,439) and Rutherford ($82,588), which benefit from suburban growth rather than seasonal tourism.
Home values climb faster than incomes
Sevier's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% masks a deeper concern: the median home value of $259,500 has surged due to Gatlinburg tourism and investment demand, outpacing local income growth. Households face rising property taxes and home maintenance costs.
Harness seasonal income strategically
Sevier's tourism-driven economy creates seasonal income volatility—workers should establish a rainy-day fund covering 4-6 months of expenses. Direct off-season income into high-yield savings or automated investments to smooth earnings and build wealth during slower months.
Sevier County's 73.7-year life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 71.4 years by 2.3 years, placing the county in the healthier half nationally. However, 19.5% of residents report poor or fair health—close to national norms—suggesting uneven health outcomes within the county. Sevier's profile reflects a county where many live longer but significant minorities face chronic health burdens.
Sevier's uninsured rate poses challenge
At 73.7 years, Sevier's life expectancy sits above Tennessee's 72.4-year average, but the county's 15.2% uninsured rate—second-highest among the eight counties—substantially exceeds Tennessee's 11.9% average. Nearly 1 in 6.5 Sevier residents lack coverage, limiting their access to preventive and chronic disease management. This coverage gap threatens to degrade Sevier's otherwise respectable health trajectory.
Sevier balances decent outcomes with gaps
Sevier's 73.7-year life expectancy sits between Roane (72.6) and Robertson (72.7), demonstrating solid regional standing, but its 15.2% uninsured rate only trails Sequatchie (14.9%), indicating Sevier faces the regional coverage crisis. With 36 primary care providers per 100,000, Sevier's primary care capacity is adequate but below Roane (43) and Rutherford (44). Mental health providers at 92 per 100,000 show reasonable behavioral health support.
High uninsured rate undermines stability
Sevier's 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents offer moderate access, but with 15.2% uninsured, roughly 1 in 6.5 residents cannot consistently access those providers for preventive and routine care. The combination means uninsured residents delay or skip checkups, allowing preventable conditions to worsen and driving the 19.5% poor/fair health rate. Closing the coverage gap would unlock access to Sevier's provider network and stabilize health outcomes.
Sevier: get insured and stay healthy
With 15.2% uninsured—the second-highest rate among the eight profiled counties—Sevier residents should prioritize enrollment at Healthcare.gov or contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance for Medicaid and subsidy eligibility. Once covered, establish relationships with primary care providers to build continuity and catch chronic conditions early. Getting covered today protects your health and your financial security tomorrow.
Sevier County scores 77.39 on composite risk—a Relatively Low rating that still runs 55% higher than the national average. This reflects Sevier's position as one of America's more hazard-exposed counties, driven by high flood, wildfire, and earthquake risks concentrated in its mountain terrain. The gap illustrates how Appalachian geography creates compounded natural disaster exposure.
Upper tier of Tennessee's riskier counties
At 77.39, Sevier sits 47% above Tennessee's state average of 52.45, placing it in the state's top quartile for composite risk. Only Rutherford (91.73) and Shelby (99.36) exceed Sevier's hazard exposure among Tennessee's 95 counties. Sevier residents face significantly more natural disaster risk than their counterparts across most of the state.
Riskiest of the East Tennessee counties
Sevier (77.39) dramatically outpaces nearby Sequatchie (40.17) and Roane (68.99), driven by the county's heavy concentration in the Great Smoky Mountains and tourism corridors. Its wildfire risk (78.72) and flood risk (84.06) are the state's second-highest after Rutherford. Sevier represents a high-hazard zone even by East Tennessee standards.
Floods and wildfires dominate the threat landscape
Sevier's flood risk reaches 84.06—second only to Rutherford in the state—reflecting mountain streams, river valleys, and development in vulnerable areas. Wildfire risk (78.72) is equally alarming, with dense forest, rugged terrain, and rapid fire spread. Earthquake (90.01) and tornado (70.93) risks round out a portfolio of serious, convergent hazards.
Flood and wildfire coverage are essential
Flood insurance is non-negotiable in Sevier County—obtain a policy before disaster strikes, as coverage typically requires a 30-day waiting period. Verify that your homeowners policy includes wildfire protection and maintain defensible space of at least 100 feet around structures. Consider earthquake insurance as well, given Sevier's 90.01 earthquake score, and review all three policies annually for adequacy.