Fentress
Tennessee

What stands out

Three things set Fentress County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0.36%), violent crime is in the top 4% of American counties (5.0 per 1,000), and rainfall is in the top 7% of American counties (55 inches a year). Within Tennessee it ranks 4th of 95 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Fentress County, Tennessee. 18,642 people live here with you. The population grew 1.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +500).

Tennessee has no income tax on wages, and its tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021. It has one of the highest combined sales-tax rates in the country and taxes groceries at a reduced rate. Nashville and the surrounding counties have had a decade of rapid growth and price increases; the rest of the state remains inexpensive. There is no estate or inheritance tax.

Money

The typical household here brings in $47,884 a year, lower than 83% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,622. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 63% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Tennessee has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

The median home costs $250K, pricier than 56% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $621 a month. Property tax is 0.36% of home value, roughly $500 a year on that median home, lower than 96% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 25 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.2 years, shorter than 92% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 4.8 per 10,000 people. 12.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.87 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 76% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 73 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 60% of eligible voters turned out. Under Tennessee law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 67 and lows near 45, warmer than 51% of American counties. About 55 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 16 out of 100, safer than 84% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 253 Mbps down, faster than 75% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.