Best small towns to live in Tennessee

1. 1
   South Carthage, TN Score 77/100

   2,364 people · typical home $200k · household income $56k · 109 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 23% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Dyer, TN Score 77/100

   2,217 people · typical home $114k · household income $55k · 208 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 8% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 17 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Sharon, TN Score 75/100

   1,036 people · typical home $99k · household income $34k · 163 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Dresden, TN Score 75/100

   2,943 people · typical home $127k · household income $51k · 137 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of TN · 6.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Troy, TN Score 75/100

   1,827 people · typical home $115k · household income $52k · 243 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 21% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   Gleason, TN Score 75/100

   1,159 people · typical home $93k · household income $58k · 188 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of TN · 4.0% unemployment · 16 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   Greenfield, TN Score 75/100

   2,264 people · typical home $95k · household income $47k · 193 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 17% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Bradford, TN Score 73/100

   1,385 people · typical home $116k · household income $47k · 252 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 8% of TN · 1.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Scotts Hill, TN Score 73/100

   1,083 people · typical home $114k · household income $38k · 190 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 22% of TN · 4.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Baxter, TN Score 72/100

    1,361 people · typical home $219k · household income $59k · 129 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 37% of TN · 2.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Obion, TN Score 71/100

    1,087 people · typical home $98k · household income $46k · 243 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 20% of TN · 2.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    Camden, TN Score 70/100

    3,678 people · typical home $155k · household income $55k · 114 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 57% of TN · 5.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Newbern, TN Score 70/100

    3,289 people · typical home $100k · household income $58k · 351 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 20% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Rutherford, TN Score 70/100

    1,119 people · typical home $94k · household income $51k · 252 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 8% of TN · 4.0% unemployment · 19 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Loretto, TN Score 70/100

    1,731 people · typical home $162k · household income $56k · 152 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 43% of TN · 1.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    South Fulton, TN Score 69/100

    2,379 people · typical home $83k · household income $44k · 243 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 40% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Kingston, TN Score 69/100

    6,224 people · typical home $220k · household income $72k · 143 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 32% of TN · 8.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Park City, TN Score 67/100

    2,813 people · typical home $217k · household income $95k · 334 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 31% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 6 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Burns, TN Score 67/100

    1,884 people · typical home $286k · household income $69k · 182 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 22% of TN · 1.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    Livingston, TN Score 67/100

    3,999 people · typical home $123k · household income $40k · 317 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 38% of TN · 1.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Kenton, TN Score 66/100

    1,513 people · typical home $111k · household income $42k · 252 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 8% of TN · 4.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Henderson, TN Score 65/100

    6,411 people · typical home $148k · household income $46k · 268 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 15% of TN · 3.0% unemployment · 15 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Adamsville, TN Score 64/100

    2,278 people · typical home $149k · household income $51k · 197 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 48% of TN · 5.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Winfield, TN Score 64/100

    1,153 people · typical home $101k · household income $39k · 167 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 55% of TN · 5.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Carthage, TN Score 64/100

    2,327 people · typical home $257k · household income $67k · 257 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 23% of TN · 2.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Tennessee with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Tennessee on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Tennessee districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Tennessee →