1st Advantage MortgageMcNairy County households have a median income of $53,473 and median rent of $723 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
- McNairy County at a glance
- What McNairy County households earn
- The McNairy County job picture
- Housing costs in McNairy County
- How McNairy County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in McNairy County
- Budget math at the McNairy County median
- People and households in McNairy County
- Borrowing situations common in McNairy County
- Who licenses lenders for McNairy County residents
- Checklist for McNairy County applicants
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
McNairy County at a glance
Roughly 25,970 residents live in McNairy County, Tennessee, 57th by population among the state's 95 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 563 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 46 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes McNairy County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (9 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Selmer, with about 4,488 residents, or 17% of the county.
What McNairy County households earn
McNairy County households have a median income of $53,473 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 67th of 95 in Tennessee.
| Households earning | McNairy County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.5% | +10.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.9% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of McNairy County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 16.5%, 3 points higher than the state's 13.8%. None of these numbers decides a McNairy County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
The McNairy County job picture
By the Census industry count, 25% of employed McNairy County residents work in manufacturing and 21% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 17% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 4.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | McNairy County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.3% | +12.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 21.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -2.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.6% | -0.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Housing costs in McNairy County
Renters in McNairy County pay a median of $723 a month, 39% below the Tennessee figure of $1,189. By the Census definition, 27% of McNairy County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $161,800, or 3.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 80%. The median year built is 1983.
| Housing | McNairy County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $723/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $161,800 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 27% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 19% | 10% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like McNairy 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.
How McNairy County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Chester County at 17 miles out to Henderson County at 35. Madison County leads the group on income ($60,042), Hardeman County trails ($46,069), and McNairy County out-earns 3 of the six. The list crosses into Mississippi, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNairy County | - | $53,473 | $723/mo | 80% |
| Chester County, TN | 17 mi | $59,341 | $756/mo | 75% |
| Alcorn County, MS | 20 mi | $51,260 | $751/mo | 68% |
| Hardin County, TN | 21 mi | $49,956 | $775/mo | 78% |
| Hardeman County, TN | 24 mi | $46,069 | $812/mo | 72% |
| Madison County, TN | 33 mi | $60,042 | $1,123/mo | 62% |
| Henderson County, TN | 35 mi | $55,136 | $745/mo | 73% |
Towns and communities in McNairy County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 41% of McNairy County residents live in one of the 10. Michie has the highest median household income on the list ($60,714) and Bethel Springs the lowest ($34,500), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Michie ($596) and steepest in Eastview ($893). This guide covers each of the 10 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selmer | town | 4,488 | $51,591 | $674 | 2 mi |
| Adamsville | town | 2,278 | $51,422 | $740 | 11 mi |
| Eastview | town | 767 | $58,750 | $893 | 6 mi |
| Finger | city | 669 | $53,750 | $637 | 13 mi |
| Bethel Springs | town | 664 | $34,500 | $718 | 5 mi |
| Michie | town | 558 | $60,714 | $596 | 11 mi |
| Guys | town | 423 | $58,929 | $882 | 11 mi |
| Stantonville | town | 313 | $47,222 | $817 | 8 mi |
| Ramer | city | 243 | $53,333 | $805 | 8 mi |
| Chewalla | CDP | 150 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Budget math at the McNairy County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a McNairy County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, McNairy County: $4,456
- 16% goes to median rent ($723)
- Under a 35% cap, $1,560 total minus rent leaves $837
- Under a 45% cap, $2,005 total minus rent leaves $1,282
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of McNairy County's.
People and households in McNairy County
Degree holders: 13% of adults over 25. 10.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | McNairy County | Tennessee | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.9 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.0% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.9% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | McNairy County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.5% |
| 60+ min | 7.6% |
Borrowing situations common in McNairy County
A few patterns in the McNairy County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 10% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Who licenses lenders for McNairy County residents
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on Tennessee: Tennessee personal loans.
Checklist for McNairy County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Verify the Tennessee license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in McNairy County earn?
The median is $53,473; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 35% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in McNairy County?
$723 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Which towns does the McNairy County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Selmer, Adamsville, Eastview, Finger, Bethel Springs.
Is the fit check different in McNairy County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in McNairy County check a lender's license?
With the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.