1st Advantage MortgageIn Jefferson County, Tennessee, the typical household earns $66,114 a year and the typical rent is $904. 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
- A quick profile of Jefferson County
- Jobs and commutes in Jefferson County
- What Jefferson County households earn
- Jefferson County housing compared with Tennessee
- The communities that make up Jefferson County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
- Jefferson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Jefferson County
- Lender oversight for Jefferson County
- A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Jefferson County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Jefferson County
With an estimated 56,864 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jefferson County ranks 27th of 95 in Tennessee for population. It covers 275 square miles of land, or about 207 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Morristown, TN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 5 Census places inside Jefferson County, Jefferson City leads by population with about 8,579; 4 of the 5 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Jefferson County
The biggest employer of Jefferson County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 20% of workers, followed by retail trade (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in retail trade, at 16% locally and 12% for Tennessee. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 2.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Jefferson County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.2% | -2.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.3% | +4.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.3% | +0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.8% | +1.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.0% | +0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What Jefferson County households earn
The median household income in Jefferson County is $66,114; statewide it is $69,595, so Jefferson County runs 5% below Tennessee as a whole. In the state ranking that is 26th of 95.
| Household income | Jefferson County | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.2% | -0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.7% | +4.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.1% | -0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.0% | -3.0 pts |
Some 23% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 30% have six-figure incomes. 11.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.455 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Jefferson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jefferson County housing compared with Tennessee
A typical Jefferson County rental runs $904 a month including utilities, which is 24% below Tennessee. By the Census definition, 41% of Jefferson County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $229,300, a typical Jefferson County house costs 3.5 times what the median household earns in a year. 76% of Jefferson County households own their home and 24% rent.
| Jefferson County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $904/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $229,300 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 22.2% | 8.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Jefferson County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The communities that make up Jefferson County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Jefferson County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 17,105 people, so roughly 70% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $82,344 at the median in Baneberry, $53,507 in Dandridge. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | city | 8,579 | $60,638 | $851 | 6 mi |
| Dandridge | town | 3,538 | $53,507 | $799 | 1 mi |
| Strawberry Plains | CDP | 2,669 | $75,027 | $670 | 11 mi |
| New Market | town | 1,619 | $72,321 | $943 | 7 mi |
| Baneberry | city | 700 | $82,344 | n/a | 9 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (15 to 28 miles). Knox County leads the group on income ($74,222), Cocke County trails ($48,016), and Jefferson County out-earns 5 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $66,114 | $904/mo | 76% |
| Hamblen County, TN | 15 mi | $55,454 | $857/mo | 70% |
| Grainger County, TN | 16 mi | $50,538 | $746/mo | 77% |
| Sevier County, TN | 19 mi | $62,581 | $1,072/mo | 71% |
| Cocke County, TN | 20 mi | $48,016 | $798/mo | 75% |
| Union County, TN | 27 mi | $62,727 | $847/mo | 80% |
| Knox County, TN | 28 mi | $74,222 | $1,261/mo | 65% |
A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
Here is the Jefferson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jefferson County: $5,510
- Less median rent of $904, which is 16% of it
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,079 left for all other debt payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,465 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Jefferson County residents: age, schooling, coverage
21% of Jefferson County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 9.0%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Indicator | Jefferson County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.3 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.8% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.0% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.9% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Jefferson County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
Borrowing situations common in Jefferson County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Jefferson County borrowers.
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 22% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Jefferson County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Lender oversight for Jefferson County
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Tennessee state guide for the statewide picture.
A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Jefferson County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Tennessee borrowers.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Jefferson County
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson County a high-income county?
Its $66,114 median ranks 26th of 95 Tennessee counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Jefferson County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $904 against $1,189 statewide, and 41% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Jefferson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 76% of Jefferson County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Jefferson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Jefferson City, Dandridge, Strawberry Plains, New Market, Baneberry.
Are Jefferson 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.