CountyScore

Union County

Tennessee · TN

#10 in Tennessee
74.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Union County, Tennessee

Union County: 57% Above National Median

Union County's composite score of 78.7 soars well above the national median of 50.0, ranking it as one of the nation's most livable counties. This elite position reflects exceptional performance in both taxes and housing affordability.

Tennessee's Second-Highest County Score

At 78.7, Union County ranks among Tennessee's top performers, exceeding the state average of 76.3 and second only to Van Buren County among the eight profiled. It represents one of the state's best livability values.

Lowest Effective Tax Rate, Strong Affordability

Union County features the state's lowest effective tax rate at 0.387% (tax score 91.4) and very affordable housing with a median home value of $186,300 and median rent of $849/month (cost score 82.8). This combination creates exceptional financial accessibility.

Limited Income Growth Prospects

The county's income score of 23.8 reflects a median household income of $61,858, placing it in the lower-middle range among the eight counties. Data on safety, health, education, and infrastructure is not yet available.

Premier Choice for Tax-Conscious Value Seekers

Union County is ideal for remote workers, retirees, and budget-conscious families seeking Tennessee's lowest tax burden without sacrificing livability. Its exceptional tax score and affordable housing make it one of the state's smartest choices for those with stable, outside income.

Score breakdown

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

Tax91.4Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth58SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.8Risk87.1WaterComing Soon
🏛91.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤58
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡87.1
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 Union County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

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Fulton County
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74.2
Median income: $62,878
Pike County
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Starke County
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Median income: $62,933

Deep Dives

Union County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Union County

via TaxByCounty

Union County has lowest tax rate in nation

Union County's effective rate of just 0.387% ranks among the absolute lowest in the entire United States, sitting far below the national median of 0.711%. At only $720 in median taxes on a home valued at $186,300, Union County residents pay a fraction of what most Americans owe annually.

Tennessee's most tax-friendly county

Union County's 0.387% rate is the lowest in Tennessee, undercutting the state average of 0.511% by nearly one-third. The median tax of $720 is the second-lowest in the state, offering exceptional affordability for homeowners in this rural Campbell County enclave.

Unbeatable tax rates in the region

Union County's 0.387% rate crushes all regional competitors, including Trousdale County at 0.422%, Stewart County at 0.520%, and Sullivan County at 0.632%. This makes Union County one of the nation's premier destinations for homeowners seeking minimal tax burdens.

Minimal taxes on modest rural homes

A typical Union County home worth $186,300 carries an estimated annual tax bill of just $720. With a mortgage, expect around $718; without one, roughly $722—among the lowest property tax expenses in the entire United States.

Low taxes don't eliminate appeal opportunities

Even in Union County's ultra-low-tax environment, homeowners should verify that their assessment reflects current market conditions. A reassessment request or formal appeal could provide modest but meaningful savings and ensure you're paying only your fair share.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Union County

via CostByCounty

Union County holds steady

Union County renters spend 16.5% of their income on housing—below the national 17.6% average and close to Tennessee's 17.6% state average. With a median income of $61,858 and $849 rent, Union offers a balanced affordability profile for a rural Appalachian county.

Below-average burden statewide

Union County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio ranks favorably against Tennessee's state average of 17.6%, placing it among the more affordable counties across the state. This modest advantage reflects both reasonable rents and household incomes aligned with state medians.

Union competes with regional peers

At $849 monthly, Union County rent matches neighboring Sullivan County ($850) and Stewart County ($837), keeping it competitive within the rural East Tennessee corridor. The $680 monthly mortgage cost ranks mid-range, reflecting a median home value of $186,300 consistent with county peers.

$61K income, steady housing share

Union County households earning $61,858 allocate 16.5% ($849) to rent or 13.2% ($680) to mortgages—both reasonable percentages that leave room for other expenses. The gap between renter and owner burden suggests Union's housing markets serve both groups relatively fairly.

Union County is a reliable choice

Union County delivers a stable housing equation: below-average rent burdens (16.5%), competitive rents ($849), and modest home values ($186,300). For rural Appalachian living with manageable costs, Union ranks alongside Stewart and Trousdale as a solid relocation option.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Union County

via IncomeByCounty

Union County Below National Standards

Union County's median household income of $61,858 falls approximately $12,897 short of the nation's $74,755 median, marking a 17% gap. This places Union County in the lower-income tier nationally, typical of rural Appalachian counties.

Marginally Above Tennessee Average

Union County earns $2,864 more than Tennessee's state median of $58,994, ranking it slightly above the state average. This modest advantage positions the county as fairly typical within Tennessee's economic landscape.

Comparable to Nearby Counties

Union County's $61,858 sits near Stewart County ($62,052) and slightly above Van Buren County ($60,281), placing it squarely in the middle of the regional income distribution. The county reflects typical economic conditions for rural East Tennessee.

Rent Remains Affordable Here

Union County's 16.5% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably in the affordable zone, allowing residents budget flexibility. At $186,300, the median home value is accessible for many households earning the county median income.

Building Savings in Union County

Union County households earning $61,858 have modest but meaningful capacity to save and invest for the future. Starting with automatic savings transfers and low-cost investment options can help residents build wealth despite tight overall budgets.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Union County

via HealthByCounty

Union County faces severe health disparities

At 69.8 years, Union County residents live 2.8 years less than the U.S. average of 72.6 years—one of the nation's most significant life expectancy gaps. With 22.1% reporting poor or fair health and 12.8% uninsured, the county faces compounded challenges of disease burden and coverage gaps.

Union County's health crisis outpaces state

Union's 69.8-year life expectancy is the lowest in Tennessee, trailing the state average of 72.4 years by nearly 2.5 years, and its 12.8% uninsured rate exceeds the state's 11.9%. The county faces urgent crises in both longevity and health insurance access.

Union County's health emergency unmatched

Union's 69.8-year life expectancy is the lowest across all eight peer counties, and its 12.8% uninsured rate ranks worst in the group. With only 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the fewest of any neighbor—Union faces a perfect storm of limited access, high uninsurance, and severe health outcomes.

Acute provider shortage, highest uninsured rate

Union County has just 15 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the lowest in its region, forcing residents to travel long distances for basic care. At 12.8% uninsured, Union has the highest rate among peers, and these dual barriers—scarcity and cost—trap residents in cycles of delayed care and preventable disease.

Coverage saves lives—enroll today

One in eight Union County residents lacks health insurance, a higher rate than any neighbor, and the county's life expectancy crisis demands urgent action. Visit healthcare.gov immediately or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Marketplace plans, Medicaid, or state programs that can connect you to care and improve health outcomes.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Union County

via RiskByCounty

Union County faces minimal risk

Union County's composite risk score of 12.88 ranks among America's safest, earning a Very Low disaster rating. Your county benefits from exceptional natural hazard protection compared to national norms.

Third-safest in Tennessee

At 12.88, Union County scores 75% below Tennessee's state average of 52.45, securing a position among the state's lowest-risk counties. Only Trousdale and Van Buren counties surpass your safety record statewide.

Much safer than eastern neighbors

Union County's 12.88 score is dramatically lower than Sullivan County (71.47) to the east and substantially below Unicoi County (10.59). Your southwestern mountain location provides unusual isolation from regional hazard patterns.

Wildfire and earthquakes are modest

Wildfire risk (50.41) and earthquake risk (59.99) represent your highest scores, though both remain moderate in context. Tornado (35.31), flood (26.05), and hurricane (22.99) risks all rank substantially lower.

Focus on wildfire prevention

With wildfire risk at 50.41, maintain defensible space around your home by clearing dead vegetation within 30 feet. Standard homeowners coverage with wind protection should sufficiently protect your property against your county's low overall risk.

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.