1st Advantage MortgageMeigs County households have a median income of $61,375 and median rent of $875 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
- Who lives in Meigs County
- Work, industries and travel time in Meigs County
- Paychecks and income spread in Meigs County
- Meigs County housing compared with Tennessee
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Places inside Meigs County
- A Meigs County household budget, worked through
- People and households in Meigs County
- Local borrowing considerations for Meigs County
- Steps before you apply in Meigs County
- Who licenses lenders for Meigs County residents
- More guides for Meigs County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Meigs County
With an estimated 13,343 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Meigs County ranks 83rd of 95 in Tennessee for population. It covers 195 square miles of land, or about 68 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Meigs County is not part of any metropolitan area. Decatur, with about 1,898 people, is the only Census place mainly inside the county.
Work, industries and travel time in Meigs County
The biggest employer of Meigs County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 25% of workers, followed by education and health care (17%). Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward manufacturing (25% against 13%). Averaged over the five survey years, 5.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 72% drive to work alone and 30% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry | Share of Meigs County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.2% | +12.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.0% | -5.4 pts |
| Construction | 10.4% | +3.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | -1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.0% | -4.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Paychecks and income spread in Meigs County
Meigs County households have a median income of $61,375 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 42nd of 95 in Tennessee.
| Households earning | Meigs County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.7% | +6.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.3% | -4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -3.6 pts |
About 31% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. 14.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.463 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Meigs County median.
Meigs County housing compared with Tennessee
A typical Meigs County rental runs $875 a month including utilities, which is 26% below Tennessee. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 36% of renter households here. Home values center on $180,000, or 2.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 81% of homes.
| Housing | Meigs County | Tennessee statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $875/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $180,000 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 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).
Neighboring counties at a glance
Distances run center to center, from Rhea County at 10 miles out to Polk County at 32. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Meigs County; Roane County is highest at $71,885 and Bledsoe County lowest at $54,720.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meigs County | - | $61,375 | $875/mo | 81% |
| Rhea County, TN | 10 mi | $55,033 | $839/mo | 71% |
| McMinn County, TN | 13 mi | $61,470 | $803/mo | 76% |
| Bledsoe County, TN | 23 mi | $54,720 | $830/mo | 83% |
| Bradley County, TN | 25 mi | $66,552 | $1,030/mo | 67% |
| Roane County, TN | 28 mi | $71,885 | $785/mo | 78% |
| Polk County, TN | 32 mi | $62,522 | $676/mo | 84% |
Places inside Meigs County
Just one Census place, Decatur, lies mainly within Meigs County; it holds about 1,898 people. Decatur has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | town | 1,898 | $42,578 | $847 | 2 mi |
A Meigs County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Meigs County's medians:
- Start: $5,115 gross per month ($61,375 / 12)
- Less median rent of $875, which is 17% of it
- Under a 36% cap, $1,841 total minus rent leaves $966
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Meigs County
14% of Meigs County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 10.6%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Residents | Meigs County | Tennessee | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.4 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.5% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.7% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.6% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.9% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.5% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Meigs County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 14.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 15.9% |
| 60+ min | 14.3% |
Local borrowing considerations for Meigs County
Where the Meigs County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Long drives. With 30% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Meigs County budgets.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 36% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Fixed incomes. Meigs County's median age is 45.4. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
Steps before you apply in Meigs County
Quick steps for Meigs County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Meigs County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Tennessee.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Who licenses lenders for Meigs County residents
Meigs 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. More on Tennessee: Tennessee personal loans.
More guides for Meigs County
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Meigs County earn?
The median is $61,375; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Meigs County rent compare with Tennessee?
$875 locally versus $1,189 for the state, 26% below.
Should Meigs County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of Meigs 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 Decatur?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Meigs County.
Does living in Meigs County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Meigs County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.