1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Anderson County is $1,031 a month against a median household income of $66,183, about 19% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Anderson County, and confirm each one's Tennessee license.
On this page
- Population and place: Anderson County
- How Anderson County ranks in Tennessee
- Anderson County income bands
- Employment and commuting in Anderson County
- What it costs to live in Anderson County
- Anderson County, Knox County and other neighbors
- Census places in Anderson County
- More Anderson County figures
- Room for a loan payment in Anderson County
- Borrowing situations common in Anderson County
- Tennessee rules that apply in Anderson County
- Checklist for Anderson County applicants
- Beyond Anderson County
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Anderson County
With an estimated 79,153 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Anderson County ranks 18th of 95 in Tennessee for population. Packed into 337 square miles, that is close to 235 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Knoxville, TN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 7 Census places inside Anderson County, Oak Ridge leads by population with about 32,693; 5 of the 7 are incorporated.
How Anderson County ranks in Tennessee
Where Anderson County lands at the extremes of Tennessee's county rankings:
- On the share of commutes over 45 minutes, Anderson County sits near the bottom of Tennessee at 10%, 11th lowest of 95. Less driving means fewer surprise repair bills.
- Anderson County ranks 12th highest of 95 Tennessee counties for the share of workers who work from home: 13.1%, against 12.9% statewide. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
- On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Anderson County sits near the top of Tennessee at 28%, 15th highest of 95. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
Anderson County income bands
Anderson County households have a median income of $66,183 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 25th of 95 in Tennessee.
| Households earning | Anderson County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.9% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.3% | -0.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.4% | +0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | -1.6 pts |
25% under $35,000 and 33% at $100,000 or more: that is the Anderson County income split. Anderson County counts about 10,577 residents below the poverty line, 13.4% of the population. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.453 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Anderson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Anderson County
Top Anderson County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 20%; second, professional and administrative services, 14%. Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward professional and administrative services (14% against 11%). The survey's unemployment rate for Anderson County averages 3.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Long commutes are the exception here: 10% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 5.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Anderson County | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.3% | -2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.9% | +3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.5% | 0.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.2% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -1.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What it costs to live in Anderson County
Half of Anderson County renters pay more than $1,031 a month and half pay less; the Tennessee midpoint is $1,189. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 45% in Anderson County, 49% statewide. With a median value of $239,400, a typical Anderson County house costs 3.6 times what the median household earns in a year. In Anderson County, 72% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median home was built in 1977, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Anderson County | Tennessee | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,031/mo | $1,189/mo | 13% lower |
| Median home value | $239,400 | $286,700 | 16% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | +4.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | -4.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 25% | +0.2 pts |
| Mobile homes | 10.2% | 8.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Vacant units | 9% | 10% | -1.5 pts |
Anderson County, Knox County and other neighbors
Knox County is closest, 17 miles from center to center; the sixth, Loudon County, is 27 miles off. Anderson County's $66,183 median trails 3 of the six and beats 3; the range runs $51,557 (Campbell County) to $84,185 (Loudon County).
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson County | - | $66,183 | $1,031/mo | 72% |
| Knox County, TN | 17 mi | $74,222 | $1,261/mo | 65% |
| Campbell County, TN | 20 mi | $51,557 | $716/mo | 69% |
| Union County, TN | 23 mi | $62,727 | $847/mo | 80% |
| Morgan County, TN | 25 mi | $65,954 | $770/mo | 85% |
| Roane County, TN | 26 mi | $71,885 | $785/mo | 78% |
| Loudon County, TN | 27 mi | $84,185 | $1,062/mo | 80% |
Census places in Anderson County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 63% of Anderson County residents live in one of the 7. Norris ($75,515) and Rocky Top ($32,868) mark the top and bottom of Anderson County's income range among larger places. Oak Ridge and every other Anderson County community use this county guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Ridge | city | 32,693 | $72,311 | $1,131 | 12 mi |
| Clinton | city | 10,239 | $68,882 | $962 | 4 mi |
| Oliver Springs | town | 3,281 | $51,183 | $523 | 9 mi |
| Rocky Top | city | 1,607 | $32,868 | $690 | 8 mi |
| Norris | city | 1,485 | $75,515 | $1,053 | 10 mi |
| Andersonville | CDP | 353 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Briceville | CDP | 175 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
More Anderson County figures
Bachelor's degree or higher: 28% of Anderson County adults. Uninsured, Anderson County: 8.5%; Tennessee: 10.0%.
| Indicator | Anderson County | +/- Tennessee | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.5% | -3.5 pts | +5.4 pts |
| Median age | 41.5 | +2.6 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| No health insurance | 8.5% | -1.6 pts | +0.6 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.7% | -1.3 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | -0.9 pts | -0.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | -0.4 pts | +0.2 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | +0.4 pts | +0.2 pts |
| Work from home | 13.1% | +0.2 pts | +4.4 pts |
| Commute length | Anderson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Room for a loan payment in Anderson County
Here is the Anderson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Anderson County: $5,515
- Rent at the median, $1,031, takes 19% of that
- $899: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- Under a 45% cap, $2,482 total minus rent leaves $1,451
Homeowners in Anderson County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Borrowing situations common in Anderson County
What the Anderson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Consolidating cards in Anderson County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Tennessee rules that apply in Anderson County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Anderson County resident can confirm its license with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Checklist for Anderson County applicants
A short checklist for Anderson County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Beyond Anderson County
Next step up from Anderson County:
Frequently asked questions
Where does Anderson County rank on income in Tennessee?
25th of 95, with a median of $66,183. The state median is $69,595.
How does Anderson County rent compare with Tennessee?
$1,031 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 13% below.
Can Anderson County owners borrow against a $239,400 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Is Briceville covered?
Yes. Briceville is one of 7 Census places in Anderson County, and this guide covers all of them.
Does living in Anderson County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Anderson County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.