CountyScore

Stewart County

Tennessee · TN

#18 in Tennessee
73.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Stewart County, Tennessee

Stewart County: Well Above National Baseline

Stewart County's composite score of 77.9 towers 56% above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This strong showing reflects a county that delivers meaningful quality-of-life value across the dimensions measured so far.

Slight Edge Over Tennessee Average

Stewart County scores 77.9, edging out Tennessee's state average of 76.3 and ranking among the state's better-performing counties. This positions it as a solid choice within the broader Tennessee landscape.

Taxes and Affordability Stand Out

Stewart County excels in tax efficiency with a score of 87.6 and an effective tax rate of just 0.520%, paired with affordable housing (median home value $182,700 and median rent $837/month). These dual strengths make it particularly attractive to budget-conscious households and retirees.

Income Growth Lags Behind Tax Benefits

The county's income score of 23.9 reflects a median household income of $62,052, notably below state and national trends. Data on safety, health, schools, and infrastructure is not yet available, limiting a fuller picture of livability.

Ideal for Budget-First, Tax-Conscious Families

Stewart County suits families and retirees prioritizing low taxes and affordable housing over high earning potential. Its strong composite score signals a genuinely livable county, though prospective residents should gather additional information on schools and safety before relocating.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.6Cost84.1SafetyComing SoonHealth62.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.9Risk70.7WaterComing Soon
🏛87.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡70.7
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 Stewart County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Sullivan County
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Median income: $55,500
Antelope County
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Grant County
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Median income: $59,800

Deep Dives

Stewart County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Stewart County

via TaxByCounty

Stewart County rates well below national average

Stewart County's effective tax rate of 0.520% sits comfortably below the national median of 0.711%, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties by tax burden. At just $951 in median annual property taxes, Stewart County residents pay roughly one-third what the typical American household pays nationally.

Slightly above Tennessee's modest average

Stewart County's 0.520% rate sits just above Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, making it one of the more moderate tax counties in the state. The county's median tax payment of $951 falls below the state average of $1,016, reflecting Tennessee's overall reputation as a lower-tax state.

More affordable than most regional peers

Stewart County's effective rate edges below Union County's 0.387% but outpaces Sullivan County's 0.632% across the region. With a median tax of $951, Stewart County offers a middle ground between the lowest-taxed rural counties and the higher-taxed suburban areas of Middle Tennessee.

Median home costs less than $1,000 yearly

A typical Stewart County home valued at $182,700 generates an estimated $951 in annual property taxes under the current rate. With a mortgage, that bill rises slightly to $983; without one, it drops to $878—a manageable burden for most homeowners in the county.

Many Stewart County homes are overassessed

Property assessments can lag behind actual market conditions, meaning some homeowners pay more than they owe. If your home has declined in value or been recently reassessed, a formal appeal could reduce your tax bill—and Stewart County allows homeowners to challenge assessments through the county assessor's office.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Stewart County

via CostByCounty

Stewart County's rent squeeze

Stewart County renters spend 16.2% of their income on rent—better than the national average of 17.6%, giving households a modest breathing room. The median rent of $837 sits below the state average of $860, though household incomes lag the national median by $12,703.

Middle of the pack statewide

With a 16.2% rent-to-income ratio, Stewart County ranks in the affordable range among Tennessee's 95 counties. At the state average of 17.6%, renters in many Tennessee counties carry a heavier housing burden than Stewart residents do.

Stewart vs. surrounding counties

Stewart County's $837 median rent undercuts neighboring Union County ($849) and Sullivan County ($850), making it one of the more affordable spots in East Tennessee. Homebuyers here face modest monthly costs of $610, competitive with rural peers like Van Buren County ($590).

Where the $62K salary goes

A typical Stewart County household earning $62,052 annually spends $837 on rent or $610 on mortgage payments—leaving substantial income for other essentials. Renters dedicate 16.2% of earnings to housing, while homeowners allocate just 11.8%, a notable gap favoring ownership here.

Consider Stewart for value

If you're weighing Tennessee counties for affordability, Stewart offers below-average housing costs paired with a reasonable income level. Compare this 16.2% rent burden to pricier counties like Sumner (18.7%) to see the savings potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Stewart County

via IncomeByCounty

Stewart County vs. America

Stewart County's median household income of $62,052 falls about $12,700 below the national median of $74,755, placing it in the lower-income tier nationally. This 17% gap reflects the economic reality for many rural Tennessee households, which earn considerably less than their U.S. counterparts.

A Step Above Average in Tennessee

Stewart County earns $3,058 more than Tennessee's state average of $58,994, ranking it in the middle tier of the state's 95 counties. This modest advantage positions the county slightly better than the typical Tennessean, though still below national standards.

Stewart Among Regional Peers

Stewart County's $62,052 median income sits between Union County ($61,858) and Trousdale County ($63,190), placing it solidly middle-of-the-road among its neighboring counties. The region shows relatively consistent income levels, with most peers within a few thousand dollars of one another.

Housing Costs Are Manageable Here

Stewart County residents spend just 16.2% of household income on rent—well below the 30% affordability threshold and healthy by national standards. At a median home value of $182,700, homeownership remains within reach for many households earning the county median.

Building Financial Security in Stewart

With $62,052 in median income, Stewart County households have room to build savings and invest in long-term wealth—if they prioritize budgeting and financial planning. Starting with even modest retirement contributions or a diversified investment portfolio early can significantly boost future financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Stewart County

via HealthByCounty

Stewart County's life expectancy edges ahead

At 72.9 years, Stewart County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 72.6 years, a small but meaningful advantage. However, one in five residents report poor or fair health, a rate that tracks with national averages and signals ongoing wellness challenges beyond lifespan alone.

Stewart ranks above Tennessee average

Stewart County's 72.9-year life expectancy outpaces Tennessee's 72.4-year state average, placing it in healthier company statewide. Yet with 20.3% of residents in poor or fair health, the county mirrors state health-status patterns and suggests room for improvement in preventive care.

Stewart holds its ground regionally

Stewart's 72.9-year life expectancy sits between neighboring Sumner County (75.6 years) and Sullivan County (72.7 years), reflecting regional variation in health outcomes. The county's 20.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds Sullivan's 18.8% but trails more challenged rural neighbors, positioning it as moderate on the regional spectrum.

Primary care gaps limit local access

With just 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Stewart County faces significant provider shortages—far below the state average of roughly 50 per 100K. At 12.4% uninsured, residents already stretch to afford care, and limited local providers mean many travel for routine checkups.

Check coverage options today

One in eight Stewart County residents lack health insurance, putting preventive care out of reach for thousands. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Marketplace plans, Medicaid, or local health department programs that can make care affordable.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Stewart County

via RiskByCounty

Stewart County's natural disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 29.36, Stewart County sits well below the national average and carries a Very Low overall rating. Your county faces significantly less disaster risk than most of the country, though some hazard types warrant attention.

Safest county in Tennessee

Stewart County ranks among Tennessee's safest counties for natural disasters, with a score 44% below the state average of 52.45. This puts you in the lowest-risk tier statewide, ahead of nearly all your neighbors.

Much safer than adjacent counties

Stewart County's 29.36 score is significantly lower than nearby Montgomery County (state average exposure) and Houston County. Your relative isolation from major flood plains and tornado corridors keeps risk notably manageable compared to surrounding areas.

Earthquakes and tornadoes top concerns

Earthquake risk (82.57) and tornado risk (64.98) are your two highest hazard scores, though both remain moderate in absolute terms. Flood risk is relatively low at 22.81, and wildfire poses minimal concern at just 7.60.

Focus coverage on earthquake safety

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover earthquakes or tornadoes, so consider a separate earthquake policy given your 82.57 earthquake score. Ensure your roof is properly anchored and review your emergency plan for severe weather events.

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.