Marion
Tennessee

What stands out

Three things set Marion County apart from the other 3,142 counties: rainfall is in the top 2% of American counties (60 inches a year), the school test score is in the bottom 3% of American counties (2.34 where 3.0 is grade level), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 10% of American counties (0.47%). Within Tennessee it ranks 3rd of 95 counties for rainfall.

Where you are

You live in Marion County, Tennessee. 28,852 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +473).

Tennessee has no income tax on wages, and its tax on interest and dividends was fully repealed in 2021.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 $58,139 a year, lower than 57% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,930. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 66% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 29 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $264K, pricier than 60% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $765 a month. Property tax is 0.47% of home value, roughly $722 a year on that median home, lower than 90% of American counties. 78% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.7 per 1,000 residents, higher than 89% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 34 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.2 years, shorter than 78% of American counties. There are 21 active physicians in the county, about 7.3 per 10,000 people. 12.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.55 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 97% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 53 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 59°F, highs near 70 and lows near 49, warmer than 65% of American counties. About 60 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 58 out of 100, riskier than 58% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 228 Mbps down, faster than 63% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.