Tennessee’s Wealthiest and Least Wealthy Counties: A Closer Look

Tennessee has experienced significant growth in recent years, raising questions about how wealth is distributed across the state. SmartAsset, a financial advisory firm, has ranked the wealthiest counties in the U.S. based on median incomes, investment incomes, and property values, using data from sources such as the Census, IRS, and Zillow to create a comprehensive wealth index.

Williamson County tops the list as Tennessee’s wealthiest county. With a median income of $125,943, an investment income of $153,610, and a median home value of $877,198, Williamson boasts a wealth index of 48.61. Other notable counties in Middle Tennessee include Wilson County, with a median income of $89,462 and a home value of $484,816, and Sumner County, with a median income of $81,883.

Davidson County ranks second in investment income, reaching $134,078, followed by Knox County with $91,736. In terms of property values, Wilson County and Davidson County trail Williamson, with median home values of $484,816 and $442,926, respectively.

The top 10 wealthiest counties in Tennessee by wealth index are:

1. Williamson County: 48.61
2. Wilson County: 30.51
3. Davidson County: 28.52
4. Sumner County: 28.38
5. Fayette County: 27.06
6. Loudon County: 26.69
7. Rutherford County: 26.13
8. Cheatham County: 25.10
9. Knox County: 25.03
10. Robertson County: 24.76

At the same time, Lake County, located in West Tennessee, is the least wealthy county for 2024, with a median income of $32,064, an investment income of $16,381, and a median home value of $96,098. Other counties ranking low include Hancock County in East Tennessee (94th), where the median income is $31,809 and homes have a median value of $172,509, and Clay County in Middle Tennessee (93rd), with a median income of $39,572 and home values at $197,481.

Hardeman County (92nd) and Haywood County (91st), both in West Tennessee, round out the bottom five counties, with median incomes of $43,566 and $44,890, respectively.

Regarding the wealthiest counties in the United States, Teton County, Wyoming, holds the top spot with a perfect wealth index score of 100. Its median income is $108,279, investment income reaches $1,134,618, and median home value is $2,242,021.

The counties with the highest median incomes are Loudoun County, Virginia ($170,463), Falls Church County, Virginia ($164,536), and Santa Clara County, California ($153,792). In terms of investment income, Pitkin County, Colorado ($924,711) and Summit County, Utah ($403,792) follow Teton County. For median home values, Nantucket County, Massachusetts ($2,681,035) leads, with Pitkin County, Colorado ($2,365,503) and Teton County, Wyoming, rounding out the top three.

Tennessee’s wealth distribution reflects its economic growth, with Williamson County leading the way, while rural counties face challenges in catching up. The data reveals both opportunities for prosperity and areas needing attention as the state continues to evolve.

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