CountyScore

Smith County

Tennessee · TN

#14 in Tennessee
73.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Smith County, Tennessee

Smith Scores Substantially Above National Median

Smith County's composite score of 77.0 ranks 54 percent above the national median of 50.0, placing it among the better-performing U.S. counties overall. Strong tax efficiency and solid housing affordability drive this competitive national standing.

Smith Slightly Exceeds State Average

With a score of 77.0, Smith County ranks slightly above Tennessee's state average of 76.3, placing it in the upper-middle tier among the state's 95 counties. The county performs as a solid performer statewide with balanced livability benefits.

Tax Burden and Housing Costs Shine

Smith County excels with a tax score of 89.2 and an effective rate of 0.466%, combined with a cost score of 80.9 featuring median rent of just $877/month and home values of $224,500. The balance of low taxes and reasonable housing costs creates strong financial accessibility for residents.

Income Potential Remains Moderate

The county's income score of 24.4 reflects a median household income of $62,799, indicating limited local earning opportunities compared to higher-income peer counties. Data on safety, health, schools, and water quality are not yet available, requiring future verification of quality-of-life fundamentals.

Ideal for Value-Conscious, Stable Households

Smith County appeals to families and professionals seeking balanced livability through low taxes and affordable housing, particularly those with stable external income sources. The county offers financial stability without requiring high local earning potential.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.2Cost80.9SafetyComing SoonHealth62.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.4Risk81.3WaterComing Soon
🏛89.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡81.3
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 Smith County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Median income: $51,000
Union County
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Median income: $64,922
Valley County
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Median income: $76,125

Deep Dives

Smith County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Smith County

via TaxByCounty

Smith County keeps taxes well below national median

Smith County's 0.466% effective rate generates a median tax of $1,047 annually on properties valued at $224,500—less than 40% of the national median property tax of $2,690. This places Smith well into the nation's most affordable tax zones.

Smith ranks below Tennessee's average rate

At 0.466%, Smith's effective tax rate runs 9% below Tennessee's 0.511% state average, positioning it as a below-average-tax county. The median bill of $1,047 sits just 3% above the state median of $1,016.

Smith's taxes competitive with similar rural counties

Smith's 0.466% rate sits between Sequatchie's 0.453% and Roane's 0.552%, reflecting typical rural Tennessee taxation. With an annual bill of $1,047, Smith homeowners pay less than Rutherford or Robertson but more than Sevier.

What Smith County homeowners owe yearly

On the median home value of $224,500 with a 0.466% effective rate, Smith homeowners pay roughly $1,047 annually. Adding mortgage-related taxes raises the bill to $1,100—a modest $53 increase.

Smith homeowners should verify their valuations too

Even in lower-tax Smith County, homeowners benefit from confirming their assessment reflects current market value. If your property's assessed value exceeds recent sales of comparable homes, filing an appeal with the assessor's office costs nothing and could save substantially.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Smith County

via CostByCounty

Smith County edges toward affordability sweet spot

Smith County's 16.8% rent-to-income ratio sits slightly above the 15% national comfort threshold, making it one of Tennessee's more balanced housing markets despite a median household income of $62,799 that falls below the national average of $74,755. The county's $877 rent represents genuine affordability without sacrificing economic opportunity.

Smith ranks near Tennessee's affordability average

At 16.8%, Smith County's rent-to-income ratio sits just below Tennessee's 17.6% state average, positioning it as one of the state's more balanced housing markets. The median rent of $877 slightly exceeds the state average of $860, but the county's economic fundamentals support this modest premium.

Smith balances cost and community value

Smith County's $877 rent sits firmly between Roane County's $767 and Sevier County's $1,013, while its 16.8% rent-to-income ratio edges below state average—reflecting a rural county that avoids both extreme isolation and metro-area pressures. The positioning: genuine affordability without sacrificing regional connectivity.

Housing costs manageable within county income

Smith residents spend roughly 16.8% of their $62,799 median income on rent ($877) or 14.7% on ownership costs ($769)—proportions that allow substantial household flexibility for savings and other expenses. The median home value of $224,500 reflects a sustainable market where local incomes align reasonably with property values.

Smith County offers balanced housing value

If you seek Tennessee living without extreme affordability trade-offs, Smith County delivers reasonable rents of $877 and a 16.8% rent-to-income ratio that leaves breathing room in household budgets. Test relocation here: compare your current housing costs against Smith's metric—most relocators find modest savings with no sacrifice of community access or economic opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Smith County

via IncomeByCounty

Smith earns above state, below nation

Smith County's median household income of $62,799 exceeds Tennessee's state average of $58,994 but falls $11,956 short of the national median of $74,755. This positions Smith as a typical rural Tennessee county with moderate wage growth.

Smith ranks solidly in Tennessee middle

Smith County's median household income of $62,799 places it slightly above Tennessee's middle percentile among 95 counties, 6.5% above the state average. The county benefits from diverse agriculture, light manufacturing, and government employment.

Smith compares to other mid-tier counties

Smith's $62,799 income ranks fifth among these eight counties, placing it between Shelby County ($62,337) and Sevier County ($63,829). The county significantly underperforms Nashville-area leaders like Rutherford and Robertson, but outearns rural counties like Sequatchie and Scott.

Housing costs remain reasonable

Smith's rent-to-income ratio of 16.8% is favorable, with a median home value of $224,500 requiring approximately $37,800 annually in housing costs. This leaves households reasonable flexibility for savings and other essential expenses.

Invest the housing advantage wisely

Smith County's favorable housing-to-income ratio creates opportunity to save aggressively; households should direct monthly surplus into automated retirement contributions and diversified investments. Consider opening a taxable brokerage account alongside 401(k)s to accelerate wealth-building on above-median housing affordability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Smith County

via HealthByCounty

Smith meets U.S. health benchmarks

Smith County's 72.0-year life expectancy sits just above the U.S. average of 71.4 years, placing the county solidly in the national middle tier for health outcomes. One in 5 residents (20.2%) report poor or fair health, slightly above U.S. norms, suggesting room for improvement but no crisis conditions. Smith's profile reflects a county keeping pace with national trends.

Smith matches Tennessee average closely

At 72.0 years, Smith County's life expectancy sits 0.4 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average—essentially tied—while its 11.9% uninsured rate exactly matches the state average. Smith represents Tennessee's health baseline: neither a leading performer nor a significant laggard. The county holds its ground but offers no particular advantage or disadvantage relative to the state.

Smith sits in regional middle tier

Smith's 72.0-year life expectancy falls below Roane (72.6) and Robertson (72.7), but exceeds Scott (71.4), positioning the county as solidly mid-tier regionally. With 40 primary care providers per 100,000, Smith ranks between Roane (43) and Robertson (35), offering adequate primary care access. Mental health capacity at 29 providers per 100,000 ranks mid-range regionally, neither robust nor deficient.

Stable access supports steady outcomes

Smith's 40 primary care providers and 29 mental health providers per 100,000 residents provide moderate, stable access to routine and behavioral health care. With 11.9% uninsured—exactly matching the state average—roughly 1 in 8 Smith residents lack coverage, creating predictable gaps in preventive care. Balanced provider supply and near-average coverage result in Smith's near-average health outcomes.

Smith: continue your coverage momentum

Smith County's 11.9% uninsured rate matches the state average, so if you lack coverage, you're part of a familiar challenge—start enrollment at Healthcare.gov or contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Once covered, work with your provider to build continuity in primary care; Smith's moderate provider supply supports consistent relationships when you engage them. Coverage today ensures you maintain Smith's steady health trajectory.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Smith County

via RiskByCounty

Smith County ranks among America's safest

Smith County scores just 18.77 on composite risk—a Very Low rating and roughly 62% below the national average. This exceptional score places Smith in the safest 5% of American counties for natural disaster exposure. Smith residents enjoy geographic advantages that shield them from most major hazards.

Tennessee's lowest-risk county

At 18.77, Smith County ranks as the single lowest-risk county in all of Tennessee, scoring just 36% of the state average (52.45). This commanding advantage over 94 peers reflects Smith's location in stable Middle Tennessee terrain, far from major hazard corridors. Smith's profile is exceptionally favorable by any standard.

Safest in Middle Tennessee by far

Smith (18.77) significantly outperforms Robertson (60.43) and nearly matches Scott County (26.11) for the state's absolute lowest composite risk. Its wildfire risk (5.88) is vanishingly low—the state's absolute minimum—while all other hazard categories remain well-controlled. Smith occupies a uniquely sheltered position in Tennessee's natural hazard landscape.

Tornado risk is the primary concern

Smith's highest hazard is tornado risk at 49.84, which remains well below state average and poses only modest concern. Flood risk (31.62) affects limited areas, while earthquake (50.57), hurricane (23.11), and wildfire (5.88) risks are all minimal. Smith County presents one of the nation's most forgiving natural disaster environments.

Standard coverage meets your needs

A standard homeowners policy covering tornado and wind damage provides adequate protection for Smith County's low-hazard profile. No flood insurance is needed for most properties, and earthquake coverage is optional rather than essential. Review your policy every few years to ensure limits keep pace with home value growth, and maintain basic emergency preparedness habits.

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.