1st Advantage MortgageWilliamson County households have a median income of $135,594 and median rent of $1,969 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
- Getting oriented in Williamson County
- Jobs and commutes in Williamson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Williamson County
- Williamson County housing compared with Tennessee
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Williamson County towns compared
- A Williamson County household budget, worked through
- Williamson County households compared
- Before borrowing in Williamson County
- Checklist for Williamson County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
- More guides for Williamson County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Williamson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Williamson County's population at 260,351; only 5 of Tennessee's 95 county-level areas are larger. It covers 583 square miles of land, or about 447 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metropolitan area. Franklin is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 87,133 people (33% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Williamson County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; professional and administrative services is next with 17%. The sharpest difference from the state is in professional and administrative services, at 17% locally and 11% for Tennessee. The survey's unemployment rate for Williamson County averages 2.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 65% drive to work alone and 16% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 2.1% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Top industries | Williamson County share | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.2% | +1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 16.6% | +6.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 11.6% | +5.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | -0.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.7% | -0.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.3% | -5.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Williamson County
At $135,594, the typical Williamson County household income is 106% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 1st among Tennessee's 95 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Williamson County | Gap to Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 9.0% | -15.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 27.1% | -15.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.0% | +8.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 30.9% | +21.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 64% of Williamson County households make $100,000 or more, and 9% make less than $35,000. 4.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.451 here. A household earning below the $135,594 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Williamson County housing compared with Tennessee
Renters in Williamson County pay a median of $1,969 a month, 66% above the Tennessee figure of $1,189. By the Census definition, 49% of Williamson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $751,900, or 5.5 years of median income. 79% of Williamson County households own their home and 21% rent.
| Cost | Williamson County | Tennessee figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,969/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $751,900 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% | 8.1% | 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
Davidson County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Dickson County, is 31 miles off. Cheatham County leads the group on income ($89,852), Marshall County trails ($71,049), and Williamson County out-earns 6 of the six.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson County | - | $135,594 | $1,969/mo | 79% |
| Davidson County, TN | 20 mi | $77,853 | $1,582/mo | 53% |
| Maury County, TN | 22 mi | $76,130 | $1,300/mo | 71% |
| Rutherford County, TN | 27 mi | $85,470 | $1,502/mo | 65% |
| Cheatham County, TN | 27 mi | $89,852 | $1,345/mo | 82% |
| Marshall County, TN | 30 mi | $71,049 | $946/mo | 77% |
| Dickson County, TN | 31 mi | $75,003 | $1,015/mo | 80% |
Williamson County towns compared
The table lists the 6 largest of 6 Census places in Williamson County, by population. Together all 6 hold about 221,831 people, so roughly 15% of residents live outside any named place. Brentwood has the highest median household income on the list ($182,088) and Fairview the lowest ($91,131), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $1,301 in Fairview to $2,825 in Brentwood. Names with links open a city guide. The other 5 places are covered here.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | city | 87,133 | $119,528 | $1,923 | 3 mi |
| Spring Hill | city | 55,765 | $112,013 | $1,844 | 10 mi |
| Brentwood | city | 45,556 | $182,088 | $2,825 | 10 mi |
| Nolensville | town | 15,074 | $177,148 | $2,454 | 13 mi |
| Fairview | city | 10,009 | $91,131 | $1,301 | 14 mi |
| Thompson's Station | town | 8,294 | $132,647 | $2,088 | 6 mi |
A Williamson County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Williamson County's medians:
- $11,300 a month: gross income for a household at the Williamson County median
- Median rent: $1,969, or 17 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $4,068 total minus rent leaves $2,099
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Williamson County's.
Williamson County households compared
Degree holders: 63% of adults over 25. 4.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Williamson County | Tennessee | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 62.7% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.7% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.4% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.1% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 28.3% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 4.6% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.4% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 5.9% |
Before borrowing in Williamson County
Based on the Williamson County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Consolidation math. With 64% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- Tight rental budgets. With 49% of Williamson County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Checklist for Williamson County applicants
A short checklist for Williamson County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in Tennessee
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Williamson County borrowers answers to the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Tennessee guide.
More guides for Williamson County
Guides that cover parts of Williamson County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Williamson County a high-income county?
Its $135,594 median ranks 1st of 95 Tennessee counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Williamson County?
$1,969 a month at the median, about 17% of median household income.
I own my home in Williamson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Williamson County?
By population: Franklin, Spring Hill, Brentwood, Nolensville, Fairview. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Williamson County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.