1st Advantage MortgagePerry County households have a median income of $55,972 and median rent of $758 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- A quick profile of Perry County
- The Perry County job picture
- Household income in Perry County
- Renting and owning in Perry County
- Perry County towns compared
- How Perry County compares with nearby counties
- Debt-to-income at Perry County's medians
- Borrowing situations common in Perry County
- More Perry County figures
- A Perry County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Perry County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Perry County
With an estimated 8,697 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Perry County ranks 88th of 95 in Tennessee for population. Land area is 415 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 21 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Linden, with about 1,122 residents, or 13% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Perry County figure on this page as a rough guide.
The Perry County job picture
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Perry County residents work in education and health care and 18% in construction. Construction stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Perry County averages 5.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). Long commutes are common here: 28% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Perry County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.9% | +5.5 pts |
| Construction | 17.6% | +10.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.9% | +4.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.9% | -4.6 pts |
| Other services | 6.1% | +1.3 pts |
| Public administration | 5.7% | +1.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Perry County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Household income in Perry County
Half of Perry County households take in less than $55,972 a year and half take in more, 20% below the Tennessee median of $69,595. Only 57 Tennessee counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Perry County | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.2% | +6.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.3% | +1.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.8 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 25% clear $100,000. 18.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.413 here. None of these numbers decides a Perry County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Perry County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $758 in Perry County versus $1,189 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $126,900, about 2.3 times the median household income. 74% of Perry County households own their home and 26% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1988.
| Cost | Perry County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $758/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $126,900 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 14% | 25% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 26% | 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).
Perry County towns compared
2 Census places fall mainly inside Perry County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 2,129 residents, leaving about 76% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 2 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linden | town | 1,122 | $47,689 | $699 | 4 mi |
| Lobelville | city | 1,007 | $48,750 | $771 | 7 mi |
How Perry County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (14 to 29 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Perry County; Hickman County is highest at $68,247 and Decatur County lowest at $45,375.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry County | - | $55,972 | $758/mo | 74% |
| Decatur County, TN | 14 mi | $45,375 | $757/mo | 74% |
| Lewis County, TN | 23 mi | $56,285 | $708/mo | 82% |
| Hickman County, TN | 25 mi | $68,247 | $893/mo | 79% |
| Humphreys County, TN | 26 mi | $60,616 | $862/mo | 78% |
| Henderson County, TN | 29 mi | $55,136 | $745/mo | 73% |
| Wayne County, TN | 29 mi | $52,294 | $619/mo | 80% |
Debt-to-income at Perry County's medians
How much room does a median Perry County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,664 gross per month ($55,972 / 12)
- Less median rent of $758, which is 16% of it
- At 35%, room after rent is $875 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,341 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in Perry County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Perry County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Perry County. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Keeping the car running. At 28% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Perry County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 31% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Assistance before credit. With a 18% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Perry County loan.
More Perry County figures
14% of Perry County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 13.4%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| People and households | Perry County | Tennessee | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.3 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.2% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 11.6% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.4% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.3% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.7% |
| 60+ min | 20.6% |
A Perry County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Perry County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Tennessee license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Perry County credit union about member loans.
Who licenses lenders for Perry County residents
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. 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.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Tennessee guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Perry County?
$55,972 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,595 for Tennessee. It ranks 58th of 95 in the state.
What do renters pay in Perry County?
$758 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Does this page cover Linden?
Yes, along with the other 1 Census place in Perry County, such as Lobelville.
Is the fit check different in Perry County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Perry County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Tennessee it is the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.