CountyScore

Weakley County

Tennessee · TN

#58 in Tennessee
69.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Weakley County, Tennessee

Solid National Livability Standing

Weakley County's composite score of 77.5 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0. This performance reflects consistent strength across the cost and tax dimensions measured.

Slightly Above Tennessee's Middle

With a score of 77.5, Weakley County edges above Tennessee's state average of 76.3, securing its position as a stronger-than-typical performer within the state. It ranks solidly in Tennessee's county livability hierarchy.

Tax Efficiency and Housing Affordability

Weakley County delivers a tax score of 87.1 with an effective rate of 0.541%, and a cost score of 85.7 supporting median home values of $136,300 and median rent of $760/month. These fundamentals create genuine affordability for working families.

Income Remains Below Desired Levels

The income score of 15.7—the lowest in this county group—corresponds to a median household income of $49,502, indicating limited local wage growth. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and environmental conditions further restrict a complete livability picture.

Suited for Fixed-Income Rural Residents

Weakley County is best for retirees, pensioners, and part-time workers whose income needs are modest and who prioritize lowest possible living costs. Its combination of low taxes and cheap housing makes retirement or simple living here genuinely feasible.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost85.7SafetyComing SoonHealth62.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.7Risk26WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.7
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
⚡26
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 Weakley County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Baxter County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $48,427
Desha County
Arkansas
69.4
Median income: $36,064
Bleckley County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $53,005
Dawson County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $88,986
Lamar County
Georgia
69.4
Median income: $68,457

Deep Dives

Weakley County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Weakley County

via TaxByCounty

Weakley taxes below national levels

Weakley County's effective tax rate of 0.541% aligns with the national median, yet homeowners pay just $737 annually—less than 27% of the national median tax of $2,690. Lower property values drive this significant difference from national norms.

Slightly above state average rate

Weakley County's effective rate of 0.541% exceeds Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, but its median tax of $737 is 28% lower than the state average of $1,016. The county's below-average home values more than compensate for the slightly higher rate.

Among the higher regional rates

Weakley County's 0.541% rate exceeds neighbors Warren County (0.447%) and White County (0.425%), but trails Washington County (0.552%). Yet its median tax of $737 remains competitive due to lower home values in the area.

A $136,300 home costs $737

The typical Weakley County homeowner with a median-valued property of $136,300 pays approximately $737 in annual property taxes. At roughly $61 per month, this represents one of Tennessee's most affordable property tax burdens.

Challenge overassessments today

Many homeowners across all counties pay taxes on inflated assessed values rather than current market values. File a free appeal with Weakley County's assessor if you believe your home is assessed above what similar properties recently sold for.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Weakley County

via CostByCounty

Weakley County: Struggling With Housing Burden

Weakley County renters spend 18.4% of their income on housing, exceeding Tennessee's 17.6% state average and pushing toward affordability stress. With a median household income of $49,502—among the lowest in this cluster—even modest rents create meaningful budget pressure for working families.

Above-Average Cost Burden Statewide

At 18.4%, Weakley County's rent-to-income ratio places it above Tennessee's state average, signaling tighter affordability conditions than most state peers. The county's lower median income relative to housing costs creates a squeeze that affects many resident households.

Middle Ground in Regional Pricing

Weakley County's $760 rent sits between Wayne ($619) and Warren ($775), while its $136,300 median home value falls below Washington ($231,700) and White ($190,200). The county occupies a middle position regionally, offering neither the deepest savings nor premium amenities.

Limited Margin in Monthly Budgets

Renters allocate $760 monthly while homeowners pay $599 on homes valued at $136,300, with each housing dollar consuming a larger percentage of the county's below-average incomes. At 18.4%, housing burden leaves tighter margins for unexpected expenses or savings compared to state-average counties.

Affordable, But Budget Tightly

Weakley County offers moderate housing costs, but your income should be carefully matched to local job market realities before relocating. Compare your salary expectations here against the county's $49,502 median to ensure your financial stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Weakley County

via IncomeByCounty

Weakley faces steepest national income gap

Weakley County's median household income of $49,502 represents the lowest in this analysis and falls 33.8% below the national median of $74,755. Per capita income of $26,807 also ranks last in the group, indicating limited wage growth and few high-paying opportunities. The county faces significant economic headwinds compared to the national landscape.

Lowest-earning county in Tennessee grouping

Weakley County's $49,502 household income trails Tennessee's $58,994 state average by nearly $9,500 annually, landing in the state's bottom tier. Per capita income of $26,807 is the lowest state comparison, pulling significantly below Tennessee's $31,458 average. The county reflects the deepest rural income challenge in this Tennessee sample.

Struggles among struggling rural neighbors

Weakley County ($49,502) earns less than all immediate peers: Wayne ($52,824), Warren ($54,088), White ($52,206), and Washington ($61,051) all exceed its income. The county's struggle is relative even within this low-income rural cluster, signaling acute local economic challenges. Regional agricultural decline and manufacturing loss compound Weakley's difficulties.

Rent costs squeeze tight household budgets

Weakley County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.4% consumes a significant share of limited household earnings, leaving less for savings and emergencies. Median home values of $136,300 require substantial down payments that many families struggle to accumulate. Housing affordability pressures combined with low wages create real financial strain for Weakley residents.

Tough climb requires skill development focus

Weakley County households earning $49,502 face real constraints, making emergency savings even more critical for weathering hardship. Local workforce development programs and community colleges offer training in high-demand fields that can meaningfully lift earning power. Building financial stability requires both individual savings discipline and access to better employment pathways.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Weakley County

via HealthByCounty

Weakley County health metrics near national averages

Weakley County's life expectancy of 72.8 years trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years, but its 21.1% poor/fair health rate is among the best in this group of counties. The relatively low health complaint rate suggests residents have decent access to preventive care despite age-related lifespan gaps.

Weakley slightly above Tennessee on lifespan

At 72.8 years, Weakley's life expectancy edges out Tennessee's state average of 72.4 years by about five months. With 21.1% reporting poor or fair health—among the lowest here—Weakley ranks solidly in the state's healthier half.

Weakley's primary care access strongest in group

Weakley County has 61 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the highest concentration among the rural counties in this comparison. Mental health providers are modest at 42 per 100K, suggesting good primary care but potential mental health gaps.

Low uninsured rate supports preventive care access

At 11.6% uninsured, Weakley's rate is close to Tennessee's 11.9% state average, meaning most residents have insurance for routine care. Strong primary care provider density makes preventive visits accessible for the covered majority.

Weakley residents: keep coverage active year-round

With nearly 12% uninsured, Weakley still has residents without coverage—visit healthcare.gov to explore affordable options. Consistent insurance ensures you can maintain the preventive care habits that keep Weakley's health outcomes strong.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Weakley County

via RiskByCounty

Weakley County's elevated earthquake risk

Weakley County scores 74.05 on the composite risk scale, placing it significantly above Tennessee's state average of 52.45 in the 'Relatively Low' category. The county's risk is driven primarily by extreme earthquake exposure (95.74), one of the highest seismic vulnerability scores in the state.

Among Tennessee's most earthquake-prone

Weakley County ranks in the upper tier of Tennessee's 95 counties by composite risk, with its 74.05 score reflecting hazard exposure well above the state norm. The county's earthquake score of 95.74 places it among Tennessee's most seismically vulnerable communities.

Weakley's seismic distinction

Weakley County (74.05) faces substantially higher composite risk than neighboring Wayne County (42.97) and White County (38.55), though tornado and earthquake exposure patterns are shared across northwest Tennessee. The county's 95.74 earthquake score is notably elevated even compared to other counties in its region.

Earthquakes dominate Weakley's hazards

Earthquakes (95.74) and tornadoes (77.86) represent Weakley County's primary disaster threats, with seismic risk reaching near-maximum vulnerability levels. Flooding (21.88) and wildfires (13.77) pose minimal concern, while hurricane risk (47.60) remains below state averages.

Earthquake insurance is essential

Weakley County residents must prioritize earthquake insurance, given the county's exceptional 95.74 seismic vulnerability score. Paired with tornado preparedness planning, earthquake coverage represents the most critical protection investment for properties in this high-risk seismic zone.

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.