1st Advantage MortgageHaywood County households have a median income of $50,472 and median rent of $762 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Haywood County
- What it costs to live in Haywood County
- How much Haywood County households make
- How Haywood County residents earn a living
- Haywood County towns compared
- Counties near Haywood County
- A Haywood County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Haywood County
- More Haywood County figures
- Tennessee rules that apply in Haywood County
- Before you sign
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Haywood County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Haywood County's population at 17,475; only 73 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 533 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 33 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Haywood County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 3 Census places inside Haywood County, Brownsville leads by population with about 9,622; 2 of the 3 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Haywood County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $762 in Haywood County versus $1,189 statewide. 54% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 22% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,400, about 3.0 times the median household income. 61% of Haywood County households own their home and 39% rent. Median construction year: 1977.
| Home costs | Haywood County | Tennessee | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $762/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $152,400 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 11.0% | 8.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 10% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
How much Haywood County households make
Half of Haywood County households take in less than $50,472 a year and half take in more, 27% below the Tennessee median of $69,595. That places it 80th among Tennessee's 95 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Haywood County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.9% | +10.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.0% | -6.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.8% | -5.1 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 21.5%, 8 points higher than the state's 13.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.464 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
How Haywood County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 21%. Manufacturing stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 19% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 5% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Haywood County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +1.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.6% | +8.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.4% | -0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.0% | -2.9 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.
Haywood County towns compared
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 59% of Haywood County residents live in one of the 3. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville | city | 9,622 | $43,494 | $767 | 1 mi |
| Stanton | town | 704 | $61,618 | $611 | 11 mi |
| Dancyville | CDP | 53 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Counties near Haywood County
Distances run center to center, from Crockett County at 18 miles out to Hardeman County at 30. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Haywood County; Fayette County is highest at $88,456 and Hardeman County lowest at $46,069.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haywood County | - | $50,472 | $762/mo | 61% |
| Crockett County, TN | 18 mi | $62,165 | $857/mo | 72% |
| Lauderdale County, TN | 23 mi | $49,879 | $774/mo | 64% |
| Madison County, TN | 25 mi | $60,042 | $1,123/mo | 62% |
| Tipton County, TN | 27 mi | $74,127 | $1,013/mo | 76% |
| Fayette County, TN | 28 mi | $88,456 | $902/mo | 81% |
| Hardeman County, TN | 30 mi | $46,069 | $812/mo | 72% |
A Haywood County household budget, worked through
Haywood County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Haywood County: $4,206
- Rent at the median, $762, takes 18% of that
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,047 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
If your rent is above $762, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Haywood County
Where the Haywood County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Haywood County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Keeping the car running. At 19% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Haywood County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 22% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Tight rental budgets. With 54% of Haywood County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
More Haywood County figures
Degree holders: 14% of adults over 25. About 11% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Haywood County | Tennessee | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.2 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.8% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.3% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.5% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.5% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Haywood County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.0% |
| 60+ min | 9.1% |
Tennessee rules that apply in Haywood County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Haywood 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. The Tennessee guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Haywood County borrowers:
- Price the Haywood County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Haywood County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Haywood County household make?
About $50,472 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 27% below the Tennessee median.
How does Haywood County rent compare with Tennessee?
$762 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 36% below.
What are the biggest places in Haywood County?
By population: Brownsville, Stanton, Dancyville. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Haywood County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who regulates personal lenders for Haywood 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.