Lake
Tennessee

What stands out

If you had to describe Lake County in numbers, start here: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (464 Mbps), homeownership is among the lowest in America (46%), and the share working from home is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1%). Within Tennessee it ranks 1st of 95 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Lake County, Tennessee. 6,898 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -75).

Tennessee has no income tax on wages, and its tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021.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 $32,064 a year, lower than 97% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,138. Unemployment runs 5.0%, higher than 89% of American counties. 1% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $116K, cheaper than 95% of American counties, about 2.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $554 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $707 a year on that median home, lower than 73% of American counties. 46% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 5.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 98% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 70.1 years, shorter than 96% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 2.9 per 10,000 people. 13.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.40 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 98% of American counties. 74% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 56 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 33% 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 61°F, highs near 71 and lows near 51, warmer than 72% of American counties. About 53 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 57 out of 100, riskier than 57% of American counties; the county has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 464 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.