1st Advantage MortgageJackson County households have a median income of $47,951 and median rent of $758 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
- Getting oriented in Jackson County
- Household income in Jackson County
- Jackson County housing compared with Tennessee
- Work, industries and travel time in Jackson County
- The counties around Jackson County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Jackson County
- Budget math at the Jackson County median
- Before borrowing in Jackson County
- Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
- Who licenses lenders for Jackson County residents
- Checklist for Jackson County applicants
- More guides for Jackson County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Jackson County
Roughly 12,029 residents live in Jackson County, Tennessee, 85th by population among the state's 95 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 309 square miles, that works out to roughly 39.0 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jackson County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (1 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Dodson Branch, with about 1,425 residents, or 12% of the county.
Household income in Jackson County
Half of Jackson County households take in less than $47,951 a year and half take in more, 31% below the Tennessee median of $69,595.
| Income band | Share in Jackson County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 37.0% | +12.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.4% | -4.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.5% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.1% | -5.9 pts |
About 37% of households earn under $35,000, while 25% clear $100,000. Census counts 20.3% of Jackson County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.482 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Jackson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Jackson County housing compared with Tennessee
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $758 in Jackson County versus $1,189 statewide. By the Census definition, 42% of Jackson County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $155,500, a typical Jackson County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. 81% of Jackson County households own their home and 19% rent. Median construction year: 1989.
| Jackson County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $758/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $155,500 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 10% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Work, industries and travel time in Jackson County
The biggest employer of Jackson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (17%). Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward construction (14% against 7%). Averaged over the five survey years, 7.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 23% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home. Only 6.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Jackson County share | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.0% | +0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.9% | +4.4 pts |
| Construction | 13.9% | +6.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.7% | -2.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.5% | -0.7 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.
The counties around Jackson County
Distances run center to center, from Clay County at 15 miles out to Monroe County at 25. Smith County leads the group on income ($66,293), Clay County trails ($39,972), and Jackson County out-earns 1 of the six. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jackson County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County | - | $47,951 | $758/mo | 81% |
| Clay County, TN | 15 mi | $39,972 | $557/mo | 74% |
| Smith County, TN | 16 mi | $66,293 | $922/mo | 77% |
| Putnam County, TN | 18 mi | $58,912 | $908/mo | 61% |
| Overton County, TN | 22 mi | $48,959 | $832/mo | 77% |
| Macon County, TN | 22 mi | $59,177 | $846/mo | 74% |
| Monroe County, KY | 25 mi | $51,280 | $657/mo | 71% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Jackson County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Jackson County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 2,489 residents, leaving about 79% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Jackson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodson Branch | CDP | 1,425 | $74,375 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Gainesboro | town | 1,064 | $51,923 | $819 | 2 mi |
Budget math at the Jackson County median
How much room does a median Jackson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jackson County: $3,996
- Median rent: $758, or 19 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $681 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Jackson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Jackson County
A few patterns in the Jackson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Long drives. With 23% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Jackson County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 25% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Fixed incomes. Jackson County's median age is 46.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 20% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
Who lives in Jackson County, in numbers
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Jackson County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.0% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.4% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.1% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.8% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 15.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 30.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.4% |
| 60+ min | 14.8% |
Who licenses lenders for Jackson County residents
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Tennessee: Tennessee personal loans.
Checklist for Jackson County applicants
Steps that save money for Jackson County residents:
- Price the Jackson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Jackson County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Tennessee borrowers.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Jackson County
The Tennessee guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jackson County earn?
The median is $47,951; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 37% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Jackson County rent compare with Tennessee?
$758 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 36% below.
Should Jackson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Jackson County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Dodson Branch?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Jackson County, such as Gainesboro.
Is the fit check different in Jackson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.