Jefferson County, Tennessee
Selected Statistical Information
I.  Geography & Demographics Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank Percent of State
Total Land Area (sq. mi.)                 41,217                274 79th  0.7%
Farmland (2007)          
Acres of Farmland            10,969,798         101,585  48th   0.9%
Number of Farms                 79,280             1,211  19th   1.5%
Average Size of Farms (Acres)                     138                 84  85th   60.9%
Population            
2008 Estimate 6,214,888 51,074 29th  0.8%
2000 Census 5,689,283 44,294 30th  0.8%
1990 Census 4,877,203 33,016 35th  0.7%
Gain (1990 to 2000) 812,080 11,278 19th  1.4%
Growth Rate (1990 to 2000) 16.7% 34.2% 7th  205.2%
Population Density (per sq. mi.)         Comparison to State Figure
2008 Estimate                   150.8             186.5 29th  123.7%
2000 Census                   138.0             161.8 18th  117.2%
1990 Census                   118.3             120.6 20th  101.9%
Urban Population         Percent of State
2000 Census            3,618,968           10,951 38th  0.3%
1990 Census            2,969,948             5,494 54th  0.2%
Growth Rate (1990 to 2000) 21.9% 99.3% 9th  454.5%
Percent of Population in Urban Areas
2000 Census 63.6% 24.7% 53rd  38.9%
1990 Census 60.9% 16.6% 67th  27.3%
Median Age            
2000 Census 36 37 63rd  101.7%
1990 Census 34 35 36th  105.7%
Population Percentages by Age Bracket        
2000 Census
under 18 24.6% 22.9% 71st 
18-24 9.6% 10.6% 13th 
25-44 30.2% 29.1% 38th 
45-64 23.2% 24.5% 53rd 
65 & over 12.4% 12.9% 66th 
1990 Census
under 18 25.1% 21.9% 93rd 
18-24 10.9% 13.0% 6th 
25-44 31.8% 28.6% 68th 
45-64 19.6% 23.0% 7th 
65 & over 12.6% 13.4% 64th 
Population Growth by Age Bracket, 1990 to 2000  
Population Percentages by Race/Ethnicity (2000 Census)  
Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
Males per 100 Females (2007) 95.4 98.0 17th  102.8%
Marriages Recorded per 1,000 Population in 2006 10.7 6.5 89th  60.7%
Divorces Recorded per 1,000 Population in 2006 4.7 1.6 1st  34.0%
*A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
II.  Income & Poverty Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
Per Capita Personal Income          
2006 $32,172 $24,457 62nd  76.0%
2000 $26,097 $20,424 56th  78.3%
Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.55% 3.05% 61st  85.90%
Median Household Income          
2007 $42,389 $39,580 34th  93.4%
2000 $35,760 $33,476 38th  93.6%
Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.46% 2.42% 26th  98.47%
2007 Poverty Rate          
All Ages  15.8% 17.4% 49th  110.13%
Related Children Under 18 Years  22.5% 24.7% 49th  109.78%
2000 Census            
All Ages  13.1% 12.6% 25th  95.84%
Related Children Under 18 Years 15.9% 14.5% 22nd  91.16%
2007 Food Stamp Recipients (Monthly Average )          
Percent of Households 15.8% 17.0% 43rd  107.52%
Percent of Individuals 14.1% 14.8% 36th  104.49%
2007 Families First           
Percent of Households 2.5% 1.4% 27th  57.38%
Percent of Individuals 2.5% 1.2% 28th  47.28%
*A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
III.  Health & Healthcare Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
2007 Pregnancy & Birth Rates           
Live births per 1,000 Population                    14.2               12.3 54th  86.6%
Percent of Live Births to Unmarried Parents 42.8% 35.7% 30th  83.4%
Percent Low Birth Weight 9.4% 9.5% 62nd  101.1%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 15-44                    80.7               65.1 64th  80.7%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 10-17                    13.9               14.6 76th  105.0%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 10-14                      1.3                0.7 48th  53.8%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
2007 Mortality Rates           
Number of Deaths per 1,000 Population                      9.3               10.2 37th  109.7%
Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population by Cause of Death
Diseases of the Heart                   233.2             235.9 30th  101.2%
Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm)                   215.3             257.9 62nd  119.8%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
64th 
70th 
64th 
Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank Comparison to State Figure
Access to Healthcare          
Medical Doctors per 1,000 (2007)                      1.8                0.7 40th  39.1%
Hospital Beds per 1,000 Population (2006)                      4.2                1.2 70th  28.0%
Nursing Home Beds per 1,000 Pop. 65 & older (2006)                    49.2               60.7 33rd  123.4%
2006 Charity Care--Percent of All Hospital Care  8.5% 8.4% 12th  98.6%
IV.  Employment
Unemployment Rate   Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
2009 (February) 9.5% 12.6% 59th  132.2%
2000 4.0% 4.4% 38th  109.8%
2007 Youth Unemployment Rate  15.7% 18.5% 61st  118.0%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
2007 Employment Percentages by Major Industry   Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank Comparison to State Figure
Total Employment All Industries 2,745,397 12,102 34 0.4%
Natural Resources and Mining 0.4% 5.3% 1 1352.9%
Construction 4.9% 0.0% 83 0.0%
Manufacturing 13.8% 23.0% 37 166.5%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 22.1% 18.9% 37 85.7%
Information 1.8% 3.1% 18 172.0%
Financial Activities 5.2% 2.6% 43 50.6%
Professional and Business Services 11.8% 4.2% 43 35.6%
Education and Health Services 12.4% 12.0% 30 96.8%
Leisure and Hospitality 10.1% 8.3% 30 82.7%
Other Services 2.6% 1.2% 44 46.9%
Government 14.9% 16.2% 34 108.4%
Federal 1.8% 1.1% 32 61.5%
State 3.3% 0.2% 43 7.6%
Local 9.9% 14.8% 31 150.0%
2007 Average Annual Wage by Major Industry         County Rank
35th 
8th 
83rd 
40th 
36th 
3rd 
79th 
78th 
36th 
53rd 
31st 
64th 
63rd 
14th 
31st 
V.  Value of Farmland and Agricultural Products Sold
Tennessee Jefferson County Rank
Estimated Market Value of Farmland & Buildings   $           467,420  $      392,469 68th 
(Average Per Farm)
Estimated Market Value of Farmland & Buildings   $               3,378  $         4,679 13th 
(Average Per Acre)
Total Market Value of Agicultural Products Sold   $  2,617,394,000  $ 29,323,000 31st 
VI.  County Government Finance (municipalities' revenue data not available)
2001-2002 Revenue by Source (in thousands)   Tennessee Percent of Total Jefferson County Percent of State Total
Grand Total  $         8,062,012 100.0%  $    57,926 100.00%
Total State Revenue  $         2,504,883 31.1%  $    25,341 43.7%
Public Schools            1,949,045 24.2%        21,849 37.7%
All Other               555,838 6.9%         3,492 6.0%
Federal Revenue  $           511,055 6.3%  $      4,061 7.0%
Total Local Revenue  $         5,046,074 62.6%  $    28,525 49.2%
Property Tax            2,720,971 33.8%        12,450 21.5%
Local Sales Tax            1,123,100 13.9%         6,108 10.5%
Other Local             1,202,003 14.9%         9,967 17.2%
 Tax Base (in thousands)   Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank Percent of State
2007 Equalized Assessed Property Value  $     131,625,598  $   1,065,705
Tax Base Per Capita $21,179 $20,866 26th  98.5%
2007 County Property Tax Rate (per $100) $2.07 68th 
2008 Total Taxable Sales   $       69,005,974  $      326,824
Tax Base Per Capita $11,103 $6,399 18th  57.6%
2008 County Sales Tax Rate 2.75% 1st 
VII.  Public Infrastructure Needs Inventory
Estimated Costs, 2007 - 2012 (in thousands)   Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank Percent of State
Project  Type
Transportation  $       17,106,712  $      108,850 42nd 0.6%
K-12 New School Construction            1,798,581           40,000 14th 2.2%
Water & Wastewater            3,855,355           19,669 45th 0.5%
Public Buildings               526,288           10,884 9th 2.1%
Recreation            1,118,527             2,930 47th 0.3%
Law Enforcement            1,826,201             2,310 56th 0.1%
Fire Protection               220,725                800 29th 0.4%
Existing School Improvements            1,899,735                158 86th 0.0%
Other Facilities                 32,755                150 8th 0.5%
Stormwater               371,227                 50 37th 0.0%
Non K-12 Education            3,015,869                    - 43rd 0.0%
Other Utilities               598,698                    - 32nd 0.0%
Business District Development               375,758                    - 23rd 0.0%
Community Development               367,547                    - 50th 0.0%
Public Health Facilities               323,093                    - 30th 0.0%
Libraries, Museums, & Historic Sites               285,785                    - 52nd 0.0%
Industrial Sites & Parks               241,362                    - 68th 0.0%
Housing               100,189                    - 14th 0.0%
School System-wide Need                 63,021                    - 16th 0.0%
Solid Waste                 54,314                    - 30th 0.0%
Telecommunications                 17,009                    - 5th 0.0%
Property Acquisition                   3,956                    - 8th 0.0%
Grand Total  $       34,202,707  $      185,801 43rd 0.5%
VIII.  Adult & Post-secondary Education
Adult Educational Attainment     Tennessee Jefferson County County Rank
2000 Census
Percent w/ HS diploma (or equivalent) or better 75.9% 71.0% 33rd 
Percent w/ Bachelors Degree or better 19.6% 12.8% 27th 
2008 Estimate
1990 Census
Percent w/ HS diploma (or equivalent) or better 67.1% 60.5% 31st 
Percent w/ Bachelors Degree or better 16.0% 11.7% 22nd 
 Number of Post-secondary Institutions (2008)      
Four-year Colleges and Universities 77 1
Public 14 0
Private 63 1
Other Public Institutions 93 0
Community Colleges 13 0
Technology Centers 27 0
Two-Year Private Institutions 20 0
Off-campus Sites 33 0
2007 - 2008 Enrollment (full-time equivalent) at Post-secondary Institutions    
Four-year Colleges and Universities*          214,260                2,032
Public 134,696 0
Private 79,564 2,032
Other Public Institutions* 134,278 0
Community Colleges 80,454 0
Technology Centers 13,939 0
Two-Year Private Insitutions 11,049 0
Off-campus Sites 28,836 0
* Note: By location of instiution, not county of residence of students
IX.  Public School Systems  (Total number of school systems is 136)
Statewide Jefferson County    
Number of Students
2007-2008                 944,738                    7,429               
Percent of Statewide 0.8%          
1997-1998                 834,318                    5,939               
Percent of Statewide 0.7%          
Increase/(Decrease)                 110,420 1,490          
Percent Change 13.2% 25.1%          
2007-2008
Free or Reduced-price Meals 54.5% 56.3%
Federal Title 1 39.7% 55.0%
Special Education 14.7% 12.2%
English Language Learners 3.2% 2.3%
Statewide Jefferson County    
2007-2008 Accreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 
Elementary Schools 71.5% 100.0%
Secondary Schools 90.8% 100.0%
Students per Classroom Teacher*
2007-2008                      14.9                      16.2               
1997-1998                      15.8                      16.4               
Increase/(Decrease)                       (0.9)                       (0.2)                    
Progress Through School
Promotion Rate
2007-2008 98.0% 98.6%          
1997-1998 96.6% 97.9%
Dropout Rate
2007-2008 10.1% 4.8%
1997-1998 4.5% 3.7%
*Classroom teachers include art, music and physical education teachers.  Because these auxiliary teachers are
included, ratios of students to classroom teachers do not represent and tend to be lower than actual class sizes.
Statewide Jefferson County    
Expenditures per Student
2007-2008 $7,742 $6,797
Percent of Statewide 87.8%          
1997-1998 $5,123 $4,599
Percent of Statewide 89.8%          
Increase/Decrease $2,618 $2,198          
Percent Change 51.1% 47.8%          
Classroom Teachers' Average Salary*
2007-2008 $44,820 $40,915
Percent of Statewide 91.3%
1997-1998 $34,584 $30,995
Percent of Statewide 89.6%
Gain $10,236 $9,920
Percent Change 29.6% 32.0%          
Revenue by Source (percent of total)
2007-2008
State 47.6% 61.8%
Federal 10.8% 10.9%
Local 41.6% 27.3%
System Rank for Percent Local 70th 
2006-2007
State 45.5% 61.9%
Federal 11.0% 11.9%
Local 43.5% 26.3%
System Rank for Percent Local 80th 
Statewide Jefferson County County Rank
2008-2009 County Area Fiscal Capacity        
Estimated Local Revenue per Student $2,782 $1,616 51st 
Sources of Information for County Profiles
I. Geography & Demographics
U.S. Bureau of the Census--all data except for marriage and divorce rates.
www.census.gov
U.S. Department of Agriculture - farmland data
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome
TN Dept. of Health - marriage and divorce rates.
http://health.state.tn.us/
II. Income & Poverty
U.S. Bureau of the Census--median household income data & poverty rates.
www.census.gov
TN Dept. of Human Services--Food Stamp data and Families First data.
http://www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/adfam/afs_fsp.htm
http://www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/adfam/afs_tanf.htm
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis - per capita income data
www.bea.gov
III. Health & Healthcare
TN Dept.of Health, Health Statistics & Research--pregnancy, births, mortality & healthcare access data.
http://health.state.tn.us/statistics/healthdata.htm
IV. Employment
TN Dept. Of Labor and Workforce Development - unemployment data. 
http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/
U.S. Department of Labor - employment data.
ww.bls.gov/lau/home.htm
V. Value of Farmland and Agricultural Product Sold
U.S. Department of Agriculture - farmland data
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome
VI. County Government Finance (municipalities' revenue data not available)
TN County Technical Advisory Service (CTAS), Resource Center--county revenue data.
www.ctas.utk.edu
TN Comptroller of the Treasury, Division of Property Assessment--equalized assessed property values.
http://www.comptroller.state.tn.us/pa/taxaggr.htm
TN Dept. of Revenue--total taxable sales.
www.state.tn.us/revenue/files.htm
VII. Public Infrastructure Needs Inventory
TN Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations--all data. 
http://tn.gov/tacir/infrastructure.html
VIII. Adult & Post-secondary Education
U.S. Bureau of the Census--educational attainment.
www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/educ-attn.html
TN Higher Education Commission--post-secondary institution and enrollment data.
www.state.tn.us/thec
IX. Public School Systems (Total number of school systems is 136)
TN Department of Education--all data except fiscal capacity.
http://www.state.tn.us/education/mdata.shtml
TN Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations--education fiscal capacity.
http://tn.gov/tacir/fiscalcapacity.html
Prepared by TACIR