countyscore
54.6
County Score
Property Tax 94.5Disaster Risk 87.1Weather & Climate 63.4

County Report Card

About Union County, Tennessee

Above the National Average

Union County holds a composite score of 54.6, placing it comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This indicates a strong overall foundation for residents compared to the rest of the country.

Outpacing the State Baseline

At 54.6, Union County is more livable than the average Tennessee county, which scores 51.3. It maintains a competitive profile through exceptional fiscal management and environmental stability.

Elite Tax and Risk Scores

The county features a near-perfect tax score of 94.5, driven by an incredibly low effective rate of 0.387%. Its risk score of 87.1 also marks it as one of the safest areas from natural disasters in the state.

Public Health and Safety

The primary weaknesses are a health score of 20.3 and a safety score of 37.1. These metrics suggest that personal wellness and community safety are areas where the county could invest more resources.

A Tax-Payer's Paradise

Union County is the best choice for property owners who want the lowest possible tax burden and high environmental security. It suits those who prioritize financial autonomy and a quiet, low-risk lifestyle.

Score breakdown

Tax94.5Cost62.1Safety37.1Health20.3Schools55.8Income44.7Risk87.1Water50.5Weather63.4
🏛94.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠62.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼44.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡37.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤20.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓55.8
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡87.1
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧50.5
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤63.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨19.7
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱47.9
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Claiborne County
Tennessee
64.5
Grainger County
Tennessee
60.6
Campbell County
Tennessee
50.9
Knox County
Tennessee
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Anderson County
Tennessee
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Jefferson County
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Bell County
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Hamblen County
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Deep Dives

Union County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

Safety in Union County

via CrimeByCounty

Union County remains safer than the nation

Union County's safety score of 97.7 reflects a secure community environment. Its total crime rate of 1455.2 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Union edges out the state average

The county’s safety score of 97.7 is higher than the Tennessee state average of 97.2. Data from three reporting agencies shows Union is a safe alternative to higher-crime regions in the state.

Union compared to surrounding counties

Union's crime rate of 1455.2 is higher than neighbors like Unicoi (907.8) and Trousdale (1379.8). While still safe, it experiences more frequent reports than its immediate neighbors.

Property crime drives local statistics

The violent crime rate is 236.7, well below national norms. However, property crime is much more common at 1218.5, occurring five times more frequently than violent incidents.

Prioritizing property security in Union

Since property crime is the primary concern, residents should focus on home defense. Security cameras and neighborhood watch participation are effective ways to deter theft and vandalism.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Union County

via SchoolsByCounty

A Dedicated Rural School System

Union County operates 9 public schools that support 2,837 students across the region. The infrastructure is tailored for early education, featuring 6 elementary schools alongside 1 middle and 2 high schools.

Top-Tier Graduation Success

Union County achieves a stellar 97.0% graduation rate, far exceeding the national average of 87.0%. The county's school score of 55.1 is higher than the state average, despite per-pupil spending of $6,027 being slightly lower than typical Tennessee levels.

The Union County Spotlight

The Union County district manages approximately 5,939 students according to district-level data across its local facilities. There are no charter schools in the county, preserving a unified public school system for all residents.

Small Rural Schools and Quiet Classrooms

Every school in the county is located in a rural setting, offering an average enrollment of just 315 students per school. Union County High School is the largest campus with 819 students, while many elementary schools remain quite small.

Find Your Place in Union County

If you are looking for a high-performing rural district, Union County's 97.0% graduation rate is a powerful draw. Homes in this area provide families with access to small schools that consistently outperform state benchmarks.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Soil Quality in Union County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Profiles in Union County

Union County features a low average pH of 4.92, making its soil more acidic than the state average of 5.35. This level requires significant amendment for traditional vegetable gardening to reach the national median of 6.5.

Balanced Silt and Clay Foundations

The soil consists of 46.8% silt and 21.1% clay, providing a decent structural foundation. With a sand content of 25.3%, there is enough grit to help with workability, though the overall score remains low for the region.

Low Organic Matter and Moisture

Organic matter is low at 1.52%, falling well behind the state average of 2.44%. The available water capacity of 0.152 in/in is also below the state benchmark, suggesting a need for consistent irrigation and mulching.

Limited Hydrology Data for Local Land

Dominant drainage and hydrologic group data are not available for Union County at this time. Gardeners should observe their land after a heavy rain to check for standing water or rapid erosion before planting.

Improving Your Zone 7b Garden

While Union's soil score of 19.7 is low, it still supports zone 7b favorites like timber and native grasses. With soil building techniques like composting, you can transform these lean soils into a productive home garden.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Union County

via LawnByCounty

Standard Tennessee Conditions in Union

Union County matches the state average with a lawn difficulty score of 47.9. This Zone 7b county presents a typical Tennessee mix of opportunities and challenges for the average homeowner. You can expect a standard maintenance routine to keep your lawn looking its best.

Reliable Rain and Mild Heat

The county receives 54.7 inches of rain annually, which is just above the 50-inch ideal mark. With only 19 extreme heat days per year, your lawn is spared much of the temperature stress common in other parts of the state. This milder profile helps cool-season grasses survive the summer months with less supplemental water.

Correction Needed for Acidic Soils

A soil pH of 4.92 is quite acidic and will likely limit the effectiveness of any fertilizer you apply. The soil contains 21.1% clay and 25.3% sand, which usually provides a decent structural balance for root growth. You should prioritize a professional soil test to determine the exact amount of lime needed to reach a pH of 6.0.

Current Dryness in Union County

While Union only saw 8 weeks of drought last year, 100% of the county is currently classified as abnormally dry. This means you should keep an eye on your lawn for signs of wilting or color change. Even with 54.7 inches of annual rain, short-term dry spells can quickly stress the grass.

Success with Cool-Season Turf

Tall fescue is the most reliable choice for Union County, as it handles the acidic soil better than many other varieties. Because specific frost dates for this county are unavailable, look to your neighbors and local extension for the best local seeding dates. Focus on correcting that 4.92 pH to see immediate improvement in color and density.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Union County's county score?
Union County, Tennessee has a composite county score of 54.6 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 Union County rank among counties in Tennessee?
Union County ranks #30 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 Union County, Tennessee?
The median annual property tax in Union County is $720, with an effective tax rate of 0.39%. This earns Union County a tax score of 94.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Union County?
The median household income in Union County, Tennessee is $61,858 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Union County earns an income score of 44.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Union County, Tennessee a good place to live?
Union County scores 54.6/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #30 in Tennessee. The best way to evaluate Union 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 Union County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.