1st Advantage MortgageAbout 73% of Unicoi County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $52,218. 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
- Unicoi County, TN: the basics
- How much Unicoi County households make
- Rent, home values and ownership in Unicoi County
- Jobs and commutes in Unicoi County
- Unicoi County and the counties next door
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Unicoi County
- A Unicoi County household budget, worked through
- Who lives in Unicoi County, in numbers
- What the numbers mean for Unicoi County borrowers
- Licensing and complaints for Unicoi County
- Four steps for Unicoi County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Unicoi County, TN: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Unicoi County's population at 17,756; only 71 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. It covers 186 square miles of land, or about 95 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Johnson City, TN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 3 Census places inside Unicoi County, Erwin leads by population with about 5,988; 2 of the 3 are incorporated.
How much Unicoi County households make
At $52,218, the typical Unicoi County household income is 20% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 71st among Tennessee's 95 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Unicoi County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.0% | +8.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.5% | +2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.3% | -5.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -4.7 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 14.3% of Unicoi County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Tennessee. None of these numbers decides a Unicoi County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Unicoi County
Renters in Unicoi County pay a median of $750 a month, 37% below the Tennessee figure of $1,189. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. Home values center on $189,600, or 3.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 73%. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Cost | Unicoi County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $750/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $189,600 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.5% | 8.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 10% | n/a |
Because most Unicoi 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.
Jobs and commutes in Unicoi County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 18%. Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Unicoi County averages 4.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 83% drive to work alone and 16% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.0% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Unicoi County workers | vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.5% | +4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.6% | +5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -1.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +1.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Unicoi County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 14 to 25 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Washington County leads the group on income ($62,809), Carter County trails ($50,135), and Unicoi County out-earns 1 of the six. The list crosses into North Carolina, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unicoi County | - | $52,218 | $750/mo | 73% |
| Washington County, TN | 14 mi | $62,809 | $1,005/mo | 65% |
| Mitchell County, NC | 15 mi | $57,602 | $813/mo | 76% |
| Yancey County, NC | 16 mi | $58,709 | $882/mo | 79% |
| Carter County, TN | 21 mi | $50,135 | $739/mo | 75% |
| Madison County, NC | 23 mi | $58,531 | $780/mo | 77% |
| Greene County, TN | 25 mi | $56,194 | $737/mo | 77% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Unicoi County
Here are the 3 most populous of the county's 3 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 62% of Unicoi County residents live in one of the 3. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $42,424 in Unicoi to $59,784 in Banner Hill. No Unicoi County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin | town | 5,988 | $47,487 | $614 | 3 mi |
| Unicoi | town | 3,806 | $42,424 | $920 | 10 mi |
| Banner Hill | CDP | 1,211 | $59,784 | n/a | 2 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
A Unicoi County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Unicoi County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,352 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($750)
- Under a 36% cap, $1,567 total minus rent leaves $817
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,121 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Unicoi County's.
Who lives in Unicoi County, in numbers
21% of Unicoi County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 8.2%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Indicator | Unicoi County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.3% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.2% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.2% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.0% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.8% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
What the numbers mean for Unicoi County borrowers
Where the Unicoi County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 20% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fixed incomes. Unicoi County's median age is 46.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Unicoi County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Licensing and complaints for Unicoi County
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Tennessee license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: Tennessee guide.
Four steps for Unicoi County borrowers
Steps that save money for Unicoi County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Unicoi County earn?
The median is $52,218; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Unicoi County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $750 against $1,189 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Unicoi County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 73% of Unicoi County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Unicoi County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Erwin, Unicoi, Banner Hill.
Are Unicoi 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.