CountyScore

White County

Tennessee · TN

#35 in Tennessee
71.4
County Score

County Report Card

About White County, Tennessee

Strong National Livability Ranking

White County's composite score of 78.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, demonstrating above-average livability by U.S. standards. The county delivers measurable value across its scored dimensions.

Above-Average Tennessee Performer

White County scores 78.0 compared to Tennessee's state average of 76.3, positioning it as a solid performer within the state. It ranks among Tennessee's stronger counties for livability value.

Best Tax Rates in the Cohort

White County leads this group with a tax score of 90.3 and the lowest effective tax rate of 0.425%. The cost score of 84.0 adds strength, with median home values of $190,200 and median rent of $838/month reflecting reasonable affordability.

Income Levels Lag Behind Housing Costs

The income score of 17.5 reflects a median household income of $52,206, which doesn't fully support the county's housing trajectory. Missing data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors limit comprehensive livability assessment.

Great for Tax-Focused Frugal Families

White County suits fiscally disciplined families and retirees who prize minimal tax burden above all else and can live comfortably on $50,000+ annually. Its exceptional tax efficiency makes it Tennessee's best choice for budget maximizers.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90.3Cost84SafetyComing SoonHealth56.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.5Risk61.5WaterComing Soon
🏛90.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠84
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡61.5
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 White County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Tallapoosa County
Alabama
71.4
Median income: $57,185
Van Buren County
Arkansas
71.4
Median income: $47,266
Audubon County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $54,152
Butler County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $69,651
Jones County
Iowa
71.4
Median income: $73,071

Deep Dives

White County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in White County

via TaxByCounty

White County offers national advantage

White County's effective tax rate of 0.425% ranks among the lowest nationally and well below the national median of 0.866%. With a median tax of $809, homeowners pay roughly 30% of the national median tax of $2,690.

One of Tennessee's lowest rates

White County's effective rate of 0.425% is the lowest among all featured counties and well below Tennessee's state average of 0.511%. Its median tax of $809 is 20% lower than the state average of $1,016, making it highly competitive statewide.

Most tax-friendly in the region

White County's 0.425% rate beats all neighboring counties: Warren (0.447%), Washington (0.552%), Wayne (0.539%), and Weakley (0.541%). It stands as the clear tax leader in this regional cluster.

A $190,200 home costs $809

The typical White County homeowner with a median-valued property of $190,200 pays approximately $809 in annual property taxes. That's about $67 per month—among Tennessee's lowest, despite having above-average home values for the region.

Verify your assessed value

Even in low-tax counties, assessed values sometimes drift above market reality, especially if your home hasn't been reassessed in several years. Request a complimentary assessment review from White County's assessor to confirm you're paying fairly.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in White County

via CostByCounty

White County: Affordability Challenges Ahead

White County renters spend 19.3% of income on housing, the highest ratio in this county cluster and notably above Tennessee's 17.6% state average. With a median household income of just $52,206, even the county's $838 monthly rent creates noticeable budget strain for typical residents.

Tightest Affordability Squeeze in Tennessee

White County's 19.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Tennessee's state average by 1.7 percentage points, placing it among the state's more challenging housing markets. This burden reflects a mismatch between local wages and rising rental costs in the county.

Premium Rents on Lower Incomes

White County's $838 rent ranks third-highest among neighbors—only Washington ($951) runs steeper—yet the county's $52,206 median income is among the lowest. This combination creates the region's tightest affordability squeeze, especially compared to Wayne ($619) or Warren ($775).

Housing Consumes Nearly One-Fifth

The typical renter pays $838 monthly while homeowners carry $616 on homes valued near $190,200—both figures consuming larger portions of income than state norms. At 19.3%, housing burden leaves residents with limited flexibility for emergencies, savings, or other essential expenses.

White County: Verify Job Market First

If you're considering White County, ensure your anticipated salary significantly exceeds the $52,206 county median to maintain comfortable housing affordability. The local job market and your earning potential should drive relocation decisions here more than initial housing prices alone.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in White County

via IncomeByCounty

White County lags national income midpoint

White County's median household income of $52,206 falls 30.1% short of the national median of $74,755, placing it among lower-earning U.S. counties. Per capita income of $28,427 similarly trails national patterns, reflecting limited high-wage sectors. The county faces the economic challenges typical of rural interior Tennessee regions.

Below Tennessee average, middle of sample

White County earns $52,206 against Tennessee's state median of $58,994, a deficit of $6,788 annually per household. Per capita income of $28,427 also trails the state's $31,458 average by roughly 10%. The county ranks in the lower-to-middle range of Tennessee's 95 counties by household income.

Mixed performance among close peers

White County ($52,206) sits between Wayne ($52,824) and Weakley ($49,502), near the lower end of its regional cluster. Warren County ($54,088) and Washington County ($61,051) exceed White's performance, while only Weakley lags further. The grouping reflects consistent rural struggles across South-Central Tennessee.

Rising housing costs strain budgets

White County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% is the highest in this peer group, consuming one-fifth of household earnings for rent or mortgage. Median home values of $190,200 have grown faster than local wages, tightening affordability. The combination of modest income and rising housing costs creates financial pressure for White County families.

Strategic planning needed amid pressures

White County households earning $52,206 must carefully manage housing costs, which now consume nearly one-fifth of income. Prioritizing debt reduction and building emergency reserves protects families from unexpected setbacks. Long-term wealth building requires exploring income growth opportunities and resisting lifestyle inflation as housing values appreciate.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in White County

via HealthByCounty

White County faces significant lifespan gap

At 71.6 years, White County residents live 4.8 years less than the national average of 76.4 years—one of the largest gaps in this group. With 23.7% reporting poor or fair health, White faces compounding health challenges that affect both quantity and quality of life.

White County ranks lowest in Tennessee lifespan

White's life expectancy of 71.6 years falls 0.8 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year average, placing it among the shortest-living counties in the state. This gap signals serious underlying health challenges requiring targeted intervention and support.

White County struggles with limited healthcare access

With 36 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, White has fewer doctors than most neighbors, and mental health providers at 80 per 100K are also below regional averages. This access gap compounds health disadvantages already evident in life expectancy data.

High uninsured rate deepens White's health crisis

At 14.1% uninsured, White County exceeds Tennessee's state average of 11.9%, leaving roughly 2,200 residents without regular healthcare access. Combined with limited provider supply, uninsurance creates a perfect storm: fewer doctors treating fewer insured patients means preventive care becomes luxury many can't afford.

White residents: coverage is urgent, help is available

If you're among the 14.1% without insurance, getting covered is critical to reversing White's health trends—visit healthcare.gov today. Call 211 for free enrollment assistance and ask about cost-sharing programs that make premiums affordable.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in White County

via RiskByCounty

White County's very low risk profile

White County scores 38.55 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 in the 'Very Low' risk category. The county ranks among Tennessee's safest communities from a natural disaster perspective, with moderate exposure across most hazard types.

Tennessee's lower-risk communities

White County ranks in the lowest-risk quartile of Tennessee's 95 counties, with a 38.55 composite score substantially below the state median. This favorable positioning reflects the county's relative resilience to most natural hazards, from earthquakes to floods.

White County's safe geography

White County (38.55) enjoys the lowest composite risk among its neighbors, including Warren County (63.45), Washington County (61.16), and Wayne County (42.97). The county's 'Very Low' rating stands apart in a region where many communities face elevated seismic or tornado exposure.

White's modest hazard exposures

Tornadoes (65.97) and earthquakes (68.83) represent White County's primary risks, though both score below state averages. Flooding (42.68), wildfire (30.57), and hurricane risks (40.55) all remain well below concerning thresholds, providing residents with favorable overall conditions.

Maintain basic disaster readiness

White County residents should maintain standard homeowners insurance and a basic emergency plan, as the county's 'Very Low' risk profile requires only routine precautions. While earthquake and tornado preparedness remain prudent, the county's favorable hazard exposure allows residents to focus resources on other priorities.

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.