1st Advantage MortgageAbout 69% of Coffee County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $61,505. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Coffee County at a glance
- How much Coffee County households make
- Coffee County housing compared with Tennessee
- Employment and commuting in Coffee County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Coffee County
- Coffee County and the counties next door
- More Coffee County figures
- Before borrowing in Coffee County
- Budget math at the Coffee County median
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- Checklist for Coffee County applicants
- More guides for Coffee County
- Frequently asked questions
Coffee County at a glance
Roughly 59,710 residents live in Coffee County, Tennessee, 24th by population among the state's 95 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 429 square miles, that is close to 139 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Coffee County is not part of any metropolitan area. Tullahoma is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 21,103 people (35% of the county total).
How much Coffee County households make
Half of Coffee County households take in less than $61,505 a year and half take in more, 12% below the Tennessee median of $69,595. Only 39 Tennessee counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Coffee County | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.9% | +1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 50.8% | +8.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.3% | -5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.9% | -5.0 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. 17.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.424 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Coffee County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Coffee County housing compared with Tennessee
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $913 in Coffee County versus $1,189 statewide. By the Census definition, 39% of Coffee County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $246,800, a typical Coffee County house costs 4.0 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 69%. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Cost | Coffee County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $913/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $246,800 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 69% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.1% | 8.1% | n/a |
Employment and commuting in Coffee County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Coffee County residents work in manufacturing and 18% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 23% locally and 13% for Tennessee. The survey's unemployment rate for Coffee County averages 3.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Only 4.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Coffee County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.6% | +10.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.1% | -4.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.4% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | 0.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Coffee County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Coffee County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 37,902 people, so roughly 37% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $81,367 at the median in New Union, $42,576 in Lakewood Park. Median rent ranges from $886 in Tullahoma to $1,584 in New Union. No Coffee County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tullahoma | city | 21,103 | $60,979 | $886 | 11 mi |
| Manchester | city | 12,944 | $57,500 | $978 | 2 mi |
| New Union | CDP | 2,160 | $81,367 | $1,584 | 3 mi |
| Lakewood Park | CDP | 1,140 | $42,576 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Hillsboro | CDP | 555 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
Coffee County and the counties next door
Moore County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Franklin County, is 23 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Coffee County; Bedford County is highest at $67,225 and Grundy County lowest at $47,593.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee County | - | $61,505 | $913/mo | 69% |
| Moore County, TN | 21 mi | $66,469 | $841/mo | 83% |
| Warren County, TN | 21 mi | $55,487 | $827/mo | 72% |
| Bedford County, TN | 21 mi | $67,225 | $1,051/mo | 72% |
| Grundy County, TN | 22 mi | $47,593 | $636/mo | 84% |
| Cannon County, TN | 22 mi | $59,443 | $908/mo | 78% |
| Franklin County, TN | 23 mi | $63,494 | $894/mo | 77% |
More Coffee County figures
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. 10.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Coffee County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.0 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.4% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.7% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.4% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.3% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.9% |
| 60+ min | 9.0% |
Before borrowing in Coffee County
Where the Coffee County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 10% of Coffee County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Mobile home upkeep. 13% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Budget math at the Coffee County median
Here is the Coffee County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,125 a month: gross income for a household at the Coffee County median
- Rent at the median, $913, takes 18% of that
- With a 36% ceiling, about $932 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
Coffee County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Coffee County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Coffee County-area credit union.
- Verify the Tennessee license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Coffee County
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Coffee County a high-income county?
Its $61,505 median ranks 40th of 95 Tennessee counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Coffee County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $913 against $1,189 statewide, and 39% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Coffee County?
By population: Tullahoma, Manchester, New Union, Lakewood Park, Hillsboro. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Can Coffee County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Tennessee county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Coffee County?
Start with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.