1st Advantage MortgageAbout 70% of Hamblen County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $55,454. 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
- Hamblen County by the numbers
- Income in Hamblen County compared with Tennessee
- Employment and commuting in Hamblen County
- Hamblen County housing compared with Tennessee
- The communities that make up Hamblen County
- The counties around Hamblen County
- What a median Hamblen County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Hamblen County borrowers
- Hamblen County households compared
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Hamblen County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hamblen County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hamblen County's population at 65,669; only 20 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 161 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 407 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Morristown, TN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Morristown, with about 31,527 residents, or 48% of the county.
Income in Hamblen County compared with Tennessee
Hamblen County households have a median income of $55,454 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 60th of 95 in Tennessee.
| Households earning | Hamblen County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.2% | +8.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.5% | +1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.4% | -5.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.0% | -4.0 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 18.4% of Hamblen County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.466 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hamblen County median.
Employment and commuting in Hamblen County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Hamblen County residents work in manufacturing and 19% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 23% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Hamblen County averages 5.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 84% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Hamblen County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22.5% | +10.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.9% | -3.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +2.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.8% | +0.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.4% | +0.2 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Hamblen County housing compared with Tennessee
A typical Hamblen County rental runs $857 a month including utilities, which is 28% below Tennessee. 45% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. Home values center on $210,900, or 3.8 years of median income. 70% of Hamblen County households own their home and 30% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1980.
| Hamblen County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $857/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $210,900 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 25% | n/a |
The communities that make up Hamblen County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Hamblen County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 34,776 people, so roughly 47% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $47,917 in Morristown to $55,313 in White Pine. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morristown | city | 31,527 | $47,917 | $882 | 2 mi |
| White Pine | town | 2,565 | $55,313 | $797 | 8 mi |
| Russellville | CDP | 684 | $48,203 | $682 | 5 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
The counties around Hamblen County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (14 to 25 miles). Income ranges from $34,960 in Hancock County to $66,114 in Jefferson County; 3 of these neighbors top Hamblen County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamblen County | - | $55,454 | $857/mo | 70% |
| Grainger County, TN | 14 mi | $50,538 | $746/mo | 77% |
| Jefferson County, TN | 15 mi | $66,114 | $904/mo | 76% |
| Hancock County, TN | 21 mi | $34,960 | $622/mo | 75% |
| Cocke County, TN | 22 mi | $48,016 | $798/mo | 75% |
| Greene County, TN | 23 mi | $56,194 | $737/mo | 77% |
| Hawkins County, TN | 25 mi | $56,936 | $785/mo | 80% |
What a median Hamblen County budget can carry
Here is the Hamblen County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Hamblen County: $4,621
- 19% goes to median rent ($857)
- $760: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- Under a 45% cap, $2,080 total minus rent leaves $1,223
Two-income households and single earners in Hamblen County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
What the numbers mean for Hamblen County borrowers
Where the Hamblen County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Hamblen County. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Free help first. 18% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Consolidating cards in Hamblen County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Hamblen County households compared
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Hamblen County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.1 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.0% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.8% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.4% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.3% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Hamblen County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.5% |
| 60+ min | 10.0% |
Before you sign
A short checklist for Hamblen County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hamblen County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Tennessee license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Hamblen County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Hamblen County residents
Consumer lenders serving Hamblen County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Tennessee that is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Tennessee guide.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Hamblen County earn?
The median is $55,454; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Hamblen County rent compare with Tennessee?
$857 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 28% below.
Does this page cover Morristown?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Hamblen County, such as White Pine, Russellville.
Are Hamblen County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who regulates personal lenders for Hamblen County residents?
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Tennessee; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.