countyscore
50
County Score
Property Tax 87.5Disaster Risk 81.3Weather & Climate 64.3

County Report Card

About Smith County, Tennessee

Meeting the National Standard

Smith County earns a 50.5 composite score, placing it almost exactly at the national median of 50.0. It represents a very typical, balanced American county profile.

Aligned with the Tennessee Average

The county’s score of 50.5 is nearly identical to the Tennessee state average of 51.3. This suggests that Smith County offers a quintessentially Tennessean lifestyle with few extreme outliers.

Low Risk and Favorable Taxes

Smith County is remarkably stable, boasting a Risk Score of 81.3. It also offers excellent tax value with a 0.466% effective tax rate and a corresponding Tax Score of 89.2.

Water Infrastructure and Health

The county's lowest mark is a Water Score of 18.9, suggesting a need for infrastructure investment. Health outcomes also lag behind other metrics, with a dimension score of 30.5.

The Verdict: A Stable, Low-Risk Choice

Smith County is an ideal match for families seeking a safe, low-risk environment with very low taxes. It offers a dependable quality of life for those who prioritize long-term stability and affordability.

2040608010087.549.54130.538.752.481.318.964.3Tax87.5Cost49.5Safety41Health30.5Schools38.7Income52.4Risk81.3Water18.9Weather64.350/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Smith County DNA

Foverall

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

Smith County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Property Tax (87.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (18.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
87.5+35.5
Cost
49.5
Safety
41-14
Health
30.5-19.5
Schools
38.7-15.299999999999997
Income
52.4
Risk
81.3+34.3
Water
18.9-39.1
Weather
64.3+8.299999999999997
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Compare mortgage rates in Smith County

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$243,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$922/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$243,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,880/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,293/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.8

per 100K

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

Deep Dives

Smith County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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.

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.

Safety in Smith County

via CrimeByCounty

Smith County is Among the Nation's Safest

Smith County boasts a high safety score of 97.9, making it a very secure place to live. The total crime rate of 1,342.7 per 100K is about 44% lower than the national average.

Top-Tier Safety Performance in Tennessee

Smith County far exceeds the state safety average score of 97.2. Four reporting agencies maintain a total crime rate that is significantly lower than the Tennessee average of 1,785.6.

Leading the Region in Low Crime

Smith County is safer than all surrounding major counties including Rutherford and Robertson. It maintains one of the lowest crime rates among the eight counties analyzed in this set.

Violent Crime is Rarely Reported

The violent crime rate is just 189.7 per 100K, roughly half the national average of 369.8. Property crime is also very low, occurring at a rate of 1,153.0 per 100K.

Keep Smith County Secure and Safe

Maintaining these low numbers requires community vigilance and basic home security practices. Staying involved in local safety initiatives helps preserve this exceptionally safe environment.

Weather & Climate in Smith County

via WeatherByCounty

Classic Mid-South Climate Patterns

Smith County's 58.5°F average annual temperature is several degrees warmer than the national median. It receives 52.5 inches of precipitation, consistent with the moist subtropical climate of the American South.

Aligning With the Tennessee Average

Smith County's 58.5°F average annual temperature closely tracks the state average of 58.1°F. Its precipitation level of 52.5 inches is slightly below the state norm of 55.9 inches.

A Typical Middle Tennessee Profile

Compared to its neighbors in the Central Basin, Smith County offers a very standard regional climate. It shares the same humid summers and moderate rainfall patterns seen across the Nashville metropolitan area.

Consistent Heat and Trace Snowfall

Summers feature 44 days of extreme heat with a July average of 78.1°F. Winters are moderate at 39.9°F, and snow is rare, averaging only 1.5 inches per year.

Equip for Long Summer Humidity

Residents should focus on HVAC maintenance to handle 44 days of temperatures over 90°F. Since annual snowfall is minimal at 1.5 inches, heavy winter equipment is generally unnecessary.

Soil Quality in Smith County

via SoilByCounty

Young Entisols of Smith County

Smith County features Entisols, which are geologically young soils with an average pH of 5.61. This pH level is slightly more alkaline than the state average of 5.35, though it remains more acidic than the national median of 6.5.

Variable textures with high silt

The soil composition is 56.8% silt and 23.1% clay, providing a heavy texture that supports plant roots well. With only 17.6% sand, the soil retains its shape and nutrients effectively but requires care to maintain aeration.

Consistent moisture retention

At 0.169 in/in, the available water capacity is nearly on par with the Tennessee state average of 0.171 in/in. Organic matter content stands at 1.77%, suggesting that adding compost could help bring it closer to the state average of 2.44%.

Adapting to variable soil conditions

The dominant texture is classified as variable, reflecting the county's shifting topography and river-influenced geology. Growers should observe their specific plots for drainage speed, as the high silt content can sometimes slow water movement.

A fertile start in Zone 7b

Hardiness Zone 7b provides Smith County with a reliable climate for both spring and fall gardening. The silty Entisols are a great foundation for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers, especially when supplemented with organic fertilizers.

Lawn Care in Smith County

via LawnByCounty

Balanced Growing in Smith County

Smith County is a top performer in Tennessee with a difficulty score of 55.0. This makes it easier than both the state average of 48.0 and the national average of 50.0. Located in Zone 7b, the county offers a reliable environment for homeowners seeking a lush, manageable lawn.

Standard Heat and Steady Rains

Lawns here receive 52.5 inches of rain, which is perfectly aligned with the high end of the ideal 30-50 inch range. While 44 extreme heat days test the turf, the 4,450 growing degree days provide plenty of energy for recovery. The growing season is stable, typically running from mid-April to late October.

Working with Variable Silt and Clay

The soil pH of 5.61 is slightly acidic, so a light lime application can help reach the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. With 23.1% clay, the soil provides a strong foundation for root anchorage and moisture retention. The texture is variable, so homeowners should check for localized drainage issues before heavy seeding.

Tennessee's Most Drought-Resilient County

Smith County stands out with only 3 weeks in drought over the past year, the lowest in this group. Currently, 0% of the area is classified as abnormally dry, giving residents a major advantage in water conservation. This natural resilience makes it much easier to maintain a green lawn without skyrocketing water bills.

Optimal Timing for Your Lawn

Tall Fescue is a great choice for Smith County, thriving in the balanced rain and moderate soil conditions. Aim to seed or sod after the final spring frost on April 10 or during the reliable fall window in September. Thanks to the lack of current drought pressure, now is an excellent time to start a new lawn project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Smith County's county score?
Smith County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 50 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 Smith County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Smith County ranks #56 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 Smith County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Smith County is $1,136, with an effective tax rate of 0.47%. This earns Smith County a tax score of 87.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Smith County?
The median household income in Smith County, Tennessee is $66,293 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Smith County earns an income score of 52.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Smith County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Smith County scores 50/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #56 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Smith 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 Smith 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.