Fentress County
TN · Pop. 18,948 · Suburban County
Fentress County, Tennessee covers 499 square miles with a population of 18,948 and a density of 38 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $152,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.34% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F and average winter lows of 28.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 55.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Jamestown Tn Medical Center, Inc is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 100% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 185-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.34% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $152,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Jamestown Tn Medical Center, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 4.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- A poverty rate of 20.9% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Fentress County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Fentress County?
- Fentress County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 185-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.3°F, and average winter lows of 28.5°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $152,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.34%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 100% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Jamestown Tn Medical Center, Inc is 4.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Tennessee Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Tennessee
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them.
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