1st Advantage MortgageHenderson County households have a median income of $55,136 and median rent of $745 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Henderson County, TN: the basics
- Employment and commuting in Henderson County
- How much Henderson County households make
- What it costs to live in Henderson County
- Towns and communities in Henderson County
- Henderson County next to its neighbors
- A Henderson County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Henderson County
- Henderson County households compared
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- Four steps for Henderson County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Henderson County, TN: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Henderson County's population at 27,980; only 53 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 520 square miles, that is close to 54 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Henderson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 8 Census places inside Henderson County, Lexington leads by population with about 7,962; 3 of the 8 are incorporated.
Employment and commuting in Henderson County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Henderson County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 17% locally and 13% for Tennessee. The survey's unemployment rate for Henderson County averages 6.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. 4.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Henderson County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.1% | -2.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.8% | +4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.7% | +3.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.7% | +1.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | -0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How much Henderson County households make
The median household income in Henderson County is $55,136; statewide it is $69,595, so Henderson County runs 21% below Tennessee as a whole. In the state ranking that is 61st of 95.
| Income band | Share in Henderson County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.7% | +9.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.9% | -4.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.1% | -4.9 pts |
About 34% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 16.9%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.8%. A household earning below the $55,136 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Henderson County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $745 in Henderson County versus $1,189 statewide. By the Census definition, 41% of Henderson County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $164,800, a typical Henderson County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. 73% of Henderson County households own their home and 27% rent.
| Cost | Henderson County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $745/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $164,800 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 25% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Henderson 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.
Towns and communities in Henderson County
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 36% of Henderson County residents live in one of the 8. Parker's Crossroads has the highest median household income on the list ($73,600) and Sardis the lowest ($39,464), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Henderson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | city | 7,962 | $49,057 | $720 | 1 mi |
| Parker's Crossroads | city | 615 | $73,600 | $1,100 | 9 mi |
| Darden | CDP | 582 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Sardis | town | 536 | $39,464 | $729 | 16 mi |
| Chesterfield | CDP | 356 | $62,885 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Wildersville | CDP | 78 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Luray | CDP | 77 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Huron | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Henderson County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (16 to 33 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Henderson County; Madison County is highest at $60,042 and Decatur County lowest at $45,375.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson County | - | $55,136 | $745/mo | 73% |
| Decatur County, TN | 16 mi | $45,375 | $757/mo | 74% |
| Chester County, TN | 20 mi | $59,341 | $756/mo | 75% |
| Carroll County, TN | 22 mi | $51,787 | $755/mo | 75% |
| Madison County, TN | 25 mi | $60,042 | $1,123/mo | 62% |
| Perry County, TN | 29 mi | $55,972 | $758/mo | 74% |
| Hardin County, TN | 33 mi | $49,956 | $775/mo | 78% |
A Henderson County household budget, worked through
Here is the Henderson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,595 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $745 uses 16%
- $909: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,231: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Henderson County's.
Borrowing situations common in Henderson County
Where the Henderson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 12% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Vehicle repairs. 18% of Henderson County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 23% of Henderson County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
Henderson County households compared
16% of Henderson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Henderson County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.1% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.9% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.8% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.9% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Henderson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 28.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
Consumer lenders serving Henderson 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.
Four steps for Henderson County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Henderson County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Tennessee guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Henderson County household make?
About $55,136 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 21% below the Tennessee median.
What do renters pay in Henderson County?
$745 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Does this page cover Lexington?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Henderson County, such as Parker's Crossroads, Darden, Sardis.
Can Henderson 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.
Is there a Henderson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Tennessee it is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.