1st Advantage MortgageThe median Macon County household earns $59,177, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Macon County, TN: the basics
- Renting and owning in Macon County
- Household income in Macon County
- The Macon County job picture
- Regional comparison for Macon County
- Macon County towns compared
- Debt-to-income at Macon County's medians
- More Macon County figures
- Before borrowing in Macon County
- Checklist for Macon County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Macon County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Macon County, TN: the basics
With an estimated 26,240 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Macon County ranks 56th of 95 in Tennessee for population. It covers 307 square miles of land, or about 85 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metropolitan area. Lafayette is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 5,727 people (22% of the county total).
Renting and owning in Macon County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $846 in Macon County versus $1,189 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 42% of renter households here. Home values center on $225,700, or 3.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1991.
| Housing | Macon County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $846/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $225,700 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Macon 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.
Household income in Macon County
At $59,177, the typical Macon County household income is 10% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Macon County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.1% | +4.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.7% | +6.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.8% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.4% | -4.6 pts |
Some 28% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 17.2%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.8%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Macon County job picture
The biggest employer of Macon County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 19% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in construction, at 11% locally and 7% for Tennessee. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 37% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 4.9% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Macon County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.9% | -3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.7% | +3.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.5% | +1.9 pts |
| Construction | 11.4% | +4.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.8% | -0.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.8% | -4.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Macon County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Regional comparison for Macon County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (13 to 25 miles). Trousdale County leads the group on income ($72,747), Clay County trails ($39,972), and Macon County out-earns 3 of the six. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Macon County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macon County | - | $59,177 | $846/mo | 74% |
| Trousdale County, TN | 13 mi | $72,747 | $853/mo | 74% |
| Allen County, KY | 18 mi | $61,403 | $844/mo | 74% |
| Smith County, TN | 20 mi | $66,293 | $922/mo | 77% |
| Monroe County, KY | 20 mi | $51,280 | $657/mo | 71% |
| Jackson County, TN | 22 mi | $47,951 | $758/mo | 81% |
| Clay County, TN | 25 mi | $39,972 | $557/mo | 74% |
Macon County towns compared
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 27% of Macon County residents live in one of the 2. Live in one of these Macon County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette | city | 5,727 | $51,736 | $896 | 2 mi |
| Red Boiling Springs | city | 1,262 | $40,221 | $784 | 8 mi |
Debt-to-income at Macon County's medians
How much room does a median Macon County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $59,177 a year is $4,931 of gross monthly income
- Median rent: $846, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,275: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Macon County figures
College graduates make up 13% of the adult population. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Macon County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.5% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.2% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.8% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.7% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.2% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 18.7% |
| 60+ min | 18.5% |
Before borrowing in Macon County
Where the Macon County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 37% of Macon County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Manufactured homes. 22% of Macon County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Checklist for Macon County applicants
Steps that save money for Macon County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Macon County.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Tennessee license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Macon County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Macon County resident can confirm its license with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Tennessee guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Macon County earn?
The median is $59,177; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 28% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Macon County?
$846 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
I own my home in Macon County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Macon County?
By population: Lafayette, Red Boiling Springs. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Are Macon 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.