1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Lewis County is $708 a month against a median household income of $56,285, about 15% of income (ACS 2020-24). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Tennessee license first.
On this page
- Lewis County, TN: the basics
- Lewis County against other Tennessee counties
- Employment and commuting in Lewis County
- Household income in Lewis County
- Where Lewis County households live
- Lewis County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Lewis County
- Age, degrees and coverage in Lewis County
- Reading the Lewis County data as a borrower
- Room for a loan payment in Lewis County
- Before you sign
- Tennessee rules that apply in Lewis County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lewis County, TN: the basics
With an estimated 12,992 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Lewis County ranks 84th of 95 in Tennessee for population. Its 282 square miles average 46 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. No metropolitan area includes Lewis County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 1 Census place inside Lewis County, Hohenwald leads by population with about 3,884.
Lewis County against other Tennessee counties
The 3 Lewis County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Tennessee, and what each means for a borrower:
- The share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 10% in Lewis County. Only 1 of 95 Tennessee counties are lower. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
- On households without a vehicle, Lewis County sits near the bottom of Tennessee at 2.5%, 4th lowest of 95. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- The share of commutes over 45 minutes: 36% in Lewis County. Only 4 of 95 Tennessee counties are higher. With long commutes, a reliable car is part of keeping the job.
Employment and commuting in Lewis County
The biggest employer of Lewis County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 21% of workers, followed by education and health care (19%). Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward manufacturing (21% against 13%). Unemployment in Lewis County, ACS five-year: 3.7%; Tennessee: 4.7%. Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 36%; under 15 minutes: 33%. 2.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Lewis County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 21.4% | +8.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.4% | -2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.3% | +2.3 pts |
| Public administration | 8.8% | +4.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Household income in Lewis County
$56,285 is the median household income for Lewis County, set against $69,595 for Tennessee.
| Band | Lewis County | Compared with Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.3% | +7.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | +0.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.9% | -1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -5.9 pts |
Six-figure households (26%) are outnumbered by those under $35,000 (31%) in Lewis County. The poverty rate is 16.7%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.8%. Lewis County scores 0.502 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Lewis 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.
Where Lewis County households live
Lewis County rent at the median: $708 a month, utilities in ($1,189 in Tennessee). Rent takes 30% or more of income for 39% of renter households here. With a median value of $173,400, a typical Lewis County house costs 3.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 82%. Half the housing stock was built before 1991. Nationally, Lewis County's $708 rent is 19% below the middle county.
| Housing | Lewis County | Tennessee statewide | Lewis County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $708/mo | $1,189/mo | 40% lower |
| Median home value | $173,400 | $286,700 | 40% lower |
| Owners | 82% | 67% | +15.0 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 49% | -10.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 25% | +4.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 24.3% | 8.1% | +16.2 pts |
| Vacant units | 7% | 10% | -3.0 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Lewis 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.
Lewis County towns compared
Just one Census place, Hohenwald, lies mainly within Lewis County; it holds about 3,884 people. Hohenwald has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hohenwald | city | 3,884 | $51,440 | $968 | 4 mi |
Regional comparison for Lewis County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 34 miles). Maury County leads the group on income ($76,130), Wayne County trails ($52,294), and Lewis County out-earns 3 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis County | - | $56,285 | $708/mo | 82% |
| Hickman County, TN | 19 mi | $68,247 | $893/mo | 79% |
| Lawrence County, TN | 22 mi | $54,706 | $763/mo | 78% |
| Perry County, TN | 23 mi | $55,972 | $758/mo | 74% |
| Maury County, TN | 24 mi | $76,130 | $1,300/mo | 71% |
| Wayne County, TN | 27 mi | $52,294 | $619/mo | 80% |
| Giles County, TN | 34 mi | $62,307 | $862/mo | 73% |
Age, degrees and coverage in Lewis County
In Lewis County, 10% of adults have at least a four-year degree (31% in Tennessee). Uninsured, Lewis County: 14.3%; Tennessee: 10.0%.
| Lewis County | vs Tennessee | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 10.3% | -20.8 pts | -11.9 pts |
| Work from home | 6.4% | -6.5 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 14.3% | +4.3 pts | +6.5 pts |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | +3.3 pts | n/a |
| Median age | 41.9 | +3.0 yrs | +0.4 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 16.7% | +3.0 pts | +3.6 pts |
| No vehicle | 2.5% | -2.8 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | -1.0 pts | -0.7 pts |
| Minutes to work | Lewis County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.5% |
| 60+ min | 22.8% |
Reading the Lewis County data as a borrower
- Uninsured care. 14% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Commuter costs. 36% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 24% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
Room for a loan payment in Lewis County
How much room does a median Lewis 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, Lewis County: $4,690
- Housing at the median rent of $708 uses 15%
- Under a 36% cap, $1,689 total minus rent leaves $981
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,309 left for all other debt payments
A household below the $56,285 median has less room than this, often none.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Lewis County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Tennessee.
- Ask a Lewis County credit union about member loans.
Tennessee rules that apply in Lewis County
Lewis County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Lewis County?
$56,285 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,595 for Tennessee. It ranks 56th of 95 in the state.
What do renters pay in Lewis County?
$708 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Should Lewis County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 82% of Lewis 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 Hohenwald?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Lewis County.
Will a Lewis County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Tennessee as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.