1st Advantage MortgageMontgomery County households have a median income of $75,613 and median rent of $1,308 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Tennessee before sharing details.
On this page
- Montgomery County at a glance
- What it costs to live in Montgomery County
- What Montgomery County households earn
- Jobs and commutes in Montgomery County
- How Montgomery County compares with nearby counties
- The communities that make up Montgomery County
- Budget math at the Montgomery County median
- Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Montgomery County
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- Before you sign
- More guides for Montgomery County
- Frequently asked questions
Montgomery County at a glance
With an estimated 234,153 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Montgomery County ranks 7th of 95 in Tennessee for population. Packed into 539 square miles, that is close to 434 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Clarksville, TN-KY metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 1 place in the county (1 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Clarksville, with about 176,456 residents, or 75% of the county.
What it costs to live in Montgomery County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,308 in Montgomery County versus $1,189 statewide. By the Census definition, 46% of Montgomery County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $280,200, or 3.7 years of median income. Owners occupy 62% of homes.
| Montgomery County | Tennessee | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,308/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $280,200 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.5% | 8.1% | n/a |
What Montgomery County households earn
Half of Montgomery County households take in less than $75,613 a year and half take in more, 9% above the Tennessee median of $69,595. Only 12 Tennessee counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Montgomery County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.8% | -5.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.7% | +4.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.3% | +3.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -2.8 pts |
About 19% of households earn under $35,000, while 34% clear $100,000. 11.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.401 here. None of these numbers decides a Montgomery County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Montgomery County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Public administration stands out: 8% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.1% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. 3.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Montgomery County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.1% | +1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.6% | -1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 10.6% | -0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.3 pts |
| Public administration | 7.5% | +3.3 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Montgomery County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 23 to 28 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $55,494 in Christian County to $89,852 in Cheatham County; 1 of these neighbors top Montgomery County's median. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Montgomery County resident follows Tennessee rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | - | $75,613 | $1,308/mo | 62% |
| Cheatham County, TN | 23 mi | $89,852 | $1,345/mo | 82% |
| Houston County, TN | 23 mi | $59,576 | $735/mo | 81% |
| Stewart County, TN | 24 mi | $63,114 | $945/mo | 81% |
| Dickson County, TN | 25 mi | $75,003 | $1,015/mo | 80% |
| Todd County, KY | 26 mi | $61,103 | $851/mo | 76% |
| Christian County, KY | 28 mi | $55,494 | $1,040/mo | 50% |
The communities that make up Montgomery County
Just one Census place, Clarksville, lies mainly within Montgomery County; it holds about 176,456 people. Clarksville has no separate guide, so this county page serves it.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | city | 176,456 | $69,303 | $1,307 | 5 mi |
Budget math at the Montgomery County median
Montgomery County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Montgomery County: $6,301
- Median rent: $1,308, or 21 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,401: 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.
Who lives in Montgomery County, in numbers
31% of Montgomery County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 9.1%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| People and households | Montgomery County | Tennessee | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.9 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.1% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.1% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.5% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.1% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Montgomery County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.4% |
| 60+ min | 11.4% |
Before borrowing in Montgomery County
A few patterns in the Montgomery County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Montgomery County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Rent squeeze. 46% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Consolidating cards in Montgomery County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Montgomery County borrowers answers to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. 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.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Montgomery County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Montgomery County.
- 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.
More guides for Montgomery County
The Tennessee guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Montgomery County household make?
About $75,613 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 9% above the Tennessee median.
What do renters pay in Montgomery County?
$1,308 a month at the median, about 21% of median household income.
Does this page cover Clarksville?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Montgomery County.
Can Montgomery County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Tennessee county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Montgomery County?
Start with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.