1st Advantage MortgageHardin County households have a median income of $49,956 and median rent of $775 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Who lives in Hardin County
- Hardin County housing compared with Tennessee
- Income in Hardin County compared with Tennessee
- The Hardin County job picture
- Hardin County and the counties next door
- Places inside Hardin County
- Debt-to-income at Hardin County's medians
- Local borrowing considerations for Hardin County
- Hardin County households compared
- Four steps for Hardin County borrowers
- Tennessee rules that apply in Hardin County
- More guides for Hardin County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Hardin County
Hardin County is home to about 27,249 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 55th most populous of 95 county-level areas in Tennessee. Land area is 577 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 47 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Hardin County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 10 Census places inside Hardin County, Savannah leads by population with about 7,412; 3 of the 10 are incorporated.
Hardin County housing compared with Tennessee
A typical Hardin County rental runs $775 a month including utilities, which is 35% below Tennessee. 44% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $160,400, about 3.2 times the median household income. 78% of Hardin County households own their home and 22% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1986.
| Home costs | Hardin County | Tennessee | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $775/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $160,400 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 25% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Hardin County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Income in Hardin County compared with Tennessee
At $49,956, the typical Hardin County household income is 24% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 81 Tennessee counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Hardin County | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.5% | +11.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.1% | -6.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -5.3 pts |
About 36% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. 21.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). None of these numbers decides a Hardin County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The Hardin County job picture
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 20%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 20% locally and 13% for Tennessee. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.7% in Hardin County. 17% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 5.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Hardin County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.4% | -1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.5% | +7.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | -0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | -0.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Hardin County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Hardin County and the counties next door
Wayne County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Tishomingo County, is 32 miles off. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Hardin County; Chester County is highest at $59,341 and Decatur County lowest at $45,375. Some neighbors are in Mississippi. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Hardin County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardin County | - | $49,956 | $775/mo | 78% |
| Wayne County, TN | 21 mi | $52,294 | $619/mo | 80% |
| McNairy County, TN | 21 mi | $53,473 | $723/mo | 80% |
| Decatur County, TN | 28 mi | $45,375 | $757/mo | 74% |
| Chester County, TN | 28 mi | $59,341 | $756/mo | 75% |
| Alcorn County, MS | 31 mi | $51,260 | $751/mo | 68% |
| Tishomingo County, MS | 32 mi | $53,040 | $682/mo | 80% |
Places inside Hardin County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Hardin County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 12,112 residents, leaving about 56% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $66,635 at the median in Olivet, $39,712 in Savannah. Median rent ranges from $758 in Savannah to $881 in Crump. None of the 10 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah | city | 7,412 | $39,712 | $758 | 3 mi |
| Olivet | CDP | 1,377 | $66,635 | $777 | 1 mi |
| Crump | city | 1,231 | $43,750 | $881 | 8 mi |
| Saltillo | town | 753 | $59,063 | $786 | 13 mi |
| Walnut Grove | CDP | 403 | $26,000 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Nixon | CDP | 294 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Counce | CDP | 276 | $54,565 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Morris Chapel | CDP | 218 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Shiloh | CDP | 130 | $46,224 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Childers Hill | CDP | 18 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Debt-to-income at Hardin County's medians
Here is the Hardin County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Hardin County: $4,163
- Housing at the median rent of $775 uses 19%
- With a 40% ceiling, about $890 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Hardin County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Hardin County
What the Hardin County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 14% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 15% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 45, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Assistance before credit. With a 22% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Hardin County loan.
Hardin County households compared
College graduates make up 15% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 14.2%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Measure | Hardin County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.1 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.1% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.8% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.2% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.3% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.5% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 11.0% |
Four steps for Hardin County borrowers
Steps that save money for Hardin County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Hardin County-area credit union.
- A Tennessee license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Tennessee rules that apply in Hardin County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Hardin County resident can confirm its license with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Hardin County
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Hardin County?
$49,956 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,595 for Tennessee. It ranks 82nd of 95 in the state.
How much is rent in Hardin County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $775 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Hardin County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 78% of Hardin County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Hardin County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Savannah, Olivet, Crump, Saltillo, Walnut Grove and 5 more.
Is the fit check different in Hardin County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.