1st Advantage MortgageIn Decatur County, Tennessee, the typical household earns $45,375 a year and the typical rent is $757. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Tennessee before sharing details.
On this page
- Decatur County by the numbers
- Jobs and commutes in Decatur County
- Income in Decatur County compared with Tennessee
- Housing costs in Decatur County
- Counties near Decatur County
- Towns and communities in Decatur County
- Debt-to-income at Decatur County's medians
- Who lives in Decatur County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Decatur County
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Decatur County by the numbers
Roughly 11,579 residents live in Decatur County, Tennessee, 87th by population among the state's 95 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 334 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 35 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Decatur County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (3 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Parsons, with about 2,686 residents, or 23% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Decatur County
The biggest employer of Decatur County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 22% of workers, followed by education and health care (20%). Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward manufacturing (22% against 13%). Averaged over the five survey years, 7.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Decatur County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 21.6% | +9.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.6% | -2.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.1% | +1.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.0% | -0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Decatur County compared with Tennessee
Decatur County households have a median income of $45,375 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 91st of 95 in Tennessee.
| Yearly household income | Decatur County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.0% | +12.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.9% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.9% | -9.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Decatur County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. Census counts 22.1% of Decatur County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.461 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Decatur County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Decatur County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $757 in Decatur County versus $1,189 statewide. 26% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 20% spend half or more. With a median value of $139,600, a typical Decatur County house costs 3.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1984.
| Cost | Decatur County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $757/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $139,600 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 36% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 21.0% | 8.1% | n/a |
Because most Decatur County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Counties near Decatur County
Distances run center to center, from Perry County at 14 miles out to Carroll County at 32. All of the six report a higher median household income than Decatur County; Chester County is highest at $59,341 and Hardin County lowest at $49,956.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur County | - | $45,375 | $757/mo | 74% |
| Perry County, TN | 14 mi | $55,972 | $758/mo | 74% |
| Henderson County, TN | 16 mi | $55,136 | $745/mo | 73% |
| Hardin County, TN | 28 mi | $49,956 | $775/mo | 78% |
| Wayne County, TN | 30 mi | $52,294 | $619/mo | 80% |
| Chester County, TN | 31 mi | $59,341 | $756/mo | 75% |
| Carroll County, TN | 32 mi | $51,787 | $755/mo | 75% |
Towns and communities in Decatur County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 41% of Decatur County residents live in one of the 3. Incomes vary by place: $41,597 at the median in Decaturville, $36,154 in Parsons. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parsons | city | 2,686 | $36,154 | $738 | 3 mi |
| Scotts Hill | town | 1,083 | $37,809 | $629 | 10 mi |
| Decaturville | town | 934 | $41,597 | $781 | 2 mi |
Debt-to-income at Decatur County's medians
Here is the Decatur County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $3,781 a month: gross income for a household at the Decatur County median
- Housing at the median rent of $757 uses 20%
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $756 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Decatur County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Decatur County, in numbers
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 10.3%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Measure | Decatur County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.8 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.0% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.9% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.3% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.5% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 22.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.2% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Decatur County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 14.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Decatur County
Based on the Decatur County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 10% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Long drives. With 19% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Decatur County budgets.
- 21% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Older households. A 45.8 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Decatur County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Tennessee license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Decatur County borrowers answers to 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.
Related local guides
The Tennessee guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Decatur County a high-income county?
Its $45,375 median ranks 91st of 95 Tennessee counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Decatur County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $757 a month; 26% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Decatur County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Parsons, Scotts Hill, Decaturville.
Will a Decatur County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Tennessee as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Decatur County?
Start with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.