Lawrence County, Tennessee
Selected Statistical Information
I.  Geography & Demographics Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank Percent of State
Total Land Area (sq. mi.)                 41,217                617 9th  1.5%
Farmland (2007)          
Acres of Farmland            10,969,798         238,318  7th   2.2%
Number of Farms                 79,280             1,842  2nd   2.3%
Average Size of Farms (Acres)                     138                129  51st   93.5%
Population            
2008 Estimate 6,214,888 40,954 36th  0.7%
2000 Census 5,689,283 39,926 32nd  0.7%
1990 Census 4,877,203 35,303 29th  0.7%
Gain (1990 to 2000) 812,080 4,623 39th  0.6%
Growth Rate (1990 to 2000) 16.7% 13.1% 66th  78.6%
Population Density (per sq. mi.)         Comparison to State Figure
2008 Estimate                   150.8               66.4 36th  44.0%
2000 Census                   138.0               64.7 47th  46.9%
1990 Census                   118.3               57.2 46th  48.3%
Urban Population         Percent of State
2000 Census            3,618,968             9,987 45th  0.3%
1990 Census            2,969,948           10,412 33rd  0.4%
Growth Rate (1990 to 2000) 21.9% -4.1% 61st  -18.7%
Percent of Population in Urban Areas
2000 Census 63.6% 25.0% 52nd  39.3%
1990 Census 60.9% 29.5% 41st  48.4%
Median Age            
2000 Census 36 36 70th  100.8%
1990 Census 34 34 63rd  102.1%
Population Percentages by Age Bracket        
2000 Census
under 18 24.6% 26.2% 13th 
18-24 9.6% 8.4% 49th 
25-44 30.2% 28.1% 60th 
45-64 23.2% 23.0% 77th 
65 & over 12.4% 14.4% 36th 
1990 Census
under 18 25.1% 26.2% 21st 
18-24 10.9% 10.0% 33rd 
25-44 31.8% 28.4% 73rd 
45-64 19.6% 20.7% 55th 
65 & over 12.6% 14.7% 42nd 
Population Growth by Age Bracket, 1990 to 2000  
Population Percentages by Race/Ethnicity (2000 Census)  
Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
Males per 100 Females (2007) 95.4 93.7 43rd  98.3%
Marriages Recorded per 1,000 Population in 2006 10.7 8.6 37th  80.4%
Divorces Recorded per 1,000 Population in 2006 4.7 5.1 58th  108.5%
*A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
II.  Income & Poverty Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
Per Capita Personal Income          
2006 $32,172 $22,400 78th  69.6%
2000 $26,097 $20,232 59th  77.5%
Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.55% 1.71% 92nd  48.21%
Median Household Income          
2007 $42,389 $35,762 57th  84.4%
2000 $35,760 $31,211 54th  87.3%
Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.46% 1.96% 51st  79.85%
2007 Poverty Rate          
All Ages  15.8% 16.2% 37th  102.53%
Related Children Under 18 Years  22.5% 22.8% 35th  101.33%
2000 Census            
All Ages  13.1% 13.6% 37th  103.89%
Related Children Under 18 Years 15.9% 16.8% 34th  105.41%
2007 Food Stamp Recipients (Monthly Average )          
Percent of Households 15.8% 17.1% 45th  108.13%
Percent of Individuals 14.1% 15.4% 43rd  109.09%
2007 Families First           
Percent of Households 2.5% 1.0% 9th  42.75%
Percent of Individuals 2.5% 1.0% 14th  39.42%
*A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
III.  Health & Healthcare Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
2007 Pregnancy & Birth Rates           
Live births per 1,000 Population                    14.2               14.9 12th  104.9%
Percent of Live Births to Unmarried Parents 42.8% 29.4% 6th  68.7%
Percent Low Birth Weight 9.4% 9.1% 52nd  96.8%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 15-44                    80.7               79.6 14th  98.6%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 10-17                    13.9                9.1 20th  65.5%
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               10.3 39th  110.8%
Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population by Cause of Death
Diseases of the Heart                   233.2             249.8 37th  107.1%
Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm)                   215.3             254.6 60th  118.3%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
33rd 
1st 
33rd 
Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank Comparison to State Figure
Access to Healthcare          
Medical Doctors per 1,000 (2007)                      1.8                0.5 59th  29.8%
Hospital Beds per 1,000 Population (2006)                      4.2                2.6 45th  62.3%
Nursing Home Beds per 1,000 Pop. 65 & older (2006)                    49.2               51.1 51st  103.8%
2006 Charity Care--Percent of All Hospital Care  8.5% 0.4% 71st  4.4%
IV.  Employment
Unemployment Rate   Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
2009 (February) 9.5% 14.6% 85th  153.1%
2000 4.0% 9.5% 95th  237.0%
2007 Youth Unemployment Rate  15.7% 18.6% 64th  118.9%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
2007 Employment Percentages by Major Industry   Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank Comparison to State Figure
Total Employment All Industries 2,745,397 10,270 40 0.4%
Natural Resources and Mining 0.4% 1.2% 21 315.9%
Construction 4.9% 3.8% 39 77.4%
Manufacturing 13.8% 20.6% 44 148.5%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 22.1% 29.1% 28 131.4%
Information 1.8% 1.1% 33 63.7%
Financial Activities 5.2% 2.8% 48 53.5%
Professional and Business Services 11.8% 3.0% 54 25.1%
Education and Health Services 12.4% 10.6% 40 85.9%
Leisure and Hospitality 10.1% 9.8% 30 97.5%
Other Services 2.6% 1.6% 40 61.3%
Government 14.9% 17.7% 35 118.7%
Federal 1.8% 1.2% 34 65.9%
State 3.3% 0.8% 18 25.7%
Local 9.9% 15.7% 33 158.8%
2007 Average Annual Wage by Major Industry         County Rank
70th 
50th 
54th 
62nd 
51st 
45th 
49th 
40th 
57th 
54th 
39th 
60th 
56th 
13th 
34th 
V.  Value of Farmland and Agricultural Products Sold
Tennessee Lawrence County Rank
Estimated Market Value of Farmland & Buildings   $           467,420  $      401,150 63rd 
(Average Per Farm)
Estimated Market Value of Farmland & Buildings   $               3,378  $         3,101 64th 
(Average Per Acre)
Total Market Value of Agicultural Products Sold   $  2,617,394,000  $ 45,546,000 18th 
VI.  County Government Finance (municipalities' revenue data not available)
2001-2002 Revenue by Source (in thousands)   Tennessee Percent of Total Lawrence County Percent of State Total
Grand Total  $         8,062,012 100.0%  $    58,212 100.00%
Total State Revenue  $         2,504,883 31.1%  $    25,015 43.0%
Public Schools            1,949,045 24.2%        21,319 36.6%
All Other               555,838 6.9%         3,696 6.3%
Federal Revenue  $           511,055 6.3%  $      4,835 8.3%
Total Local Revenue  $         5,046,074 62.6%  $    28,363 48.7%
Property Tax            2,720,971 33.8%        11,887 20.4%
Local Sales Tax            1,123,100 13.9%         4,846 8.3%
Other Local             1,202,003 14.9%        11,629 20.0%
 Tax Base (in thousands)   Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank Percent of State
2007 Equalized Assessed Property Value  $     131,625,598  $      555,171
Tax Base Per Capita $21,179 $13,556 43rd  64.0%
2007 County Property Tax Rate (per $100) $3.02 7th 
2008 Total Taxable Sales   $       69,005,974  $      280,865
Tax Base Per Capita $11,103 $6,858 20th  61.8%
2008 County Sales Tax Rate 2.75% 1st 
VII.  Public Infrastructure Needs Inventory
Estimated Costs, 2007 - 2012 (in thousands)   Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank Percent of State
Project  Type
Transportation  $       17,106,712  $      130,957 36th 0.8%
Water & Wastewater            3,855,355           25,901 38th 0.7%
Law Enforcement            1,826,201           24,650 15th 1.3%
Existing School Improvements            1,899,735           18,955 22nd 1.0%
Recreation            1,118,527             9,745 26th 0.9%
Stormwater               371,227             7,500 11th 2.0%
Industrial Sites & Parks               241,362             4,300 17th 1.8%
Public Buildings               526,288             3,150 22nd 0.6%
Solid Waste                 54,314             2,712 10th 5.0%
Business District Development               375,758             1,000 16th 0.3%
Other Utilities               598,698                800 21st 0.1%
Fire Protection               220,725                500 36th 0.2%
Public Health Facilities               323,093                200 25th 0.1%
Community Development               367,547                170 47th 0.0%
Non K-12 Education            3,015,869                    - 43rd 0.0%
K-12 New School Construction            1,798,581                    - 45th 0.0%
Libraries, Museums, & Historic Sites               285,785                    - 52nd 0.0%
Housing               100,189                    - 14th 0.0%
School System-wide Need                 63,021                    - 16th 0.0%
Other Facilities                 32,755                    - 9th 0.0%
Telecommunications                 17,009                    - 5th 0.0%
Property Acquisition                   3,956                    - 8th 0.0%
Grand Total  $       34,202,707  $      230,540 34th 0.7%
VIII.  Adult & Post-secondary Education
Adult Educational Attainment     Tennessee Lawrence County County Rank
2000 Census
Percent w/ HS diploma (or equivalent) or better 75.9% 65.5% 64th 
Percent w/ Bachelors Degree or better 19.6% 8.7% 67th 
2008 Estimate
1990 Census
Percent w/ HS diploma (or equivalent) or better 67.1% 53.7% 61st 
Percent w/ Bachelors Degree or better 16.0% 6.7% 69th 
 Number of Post-secondary Institutions (2008)      
Four-year Colleges and Universities 77 0
Public 14 0
Private 63 0
Other Public Institutions 93 1
Community Colleges 13 0
Technology Centers 27 0
Two-Year Private Institutions 20 0
Off-campus Sites 33 1
2007 - 2008 Enrollment (full-time equivalent) at Post-secondary Institutions    
Four-year Colleges and Universities*          214,260                     -  
Public 134,696 0
Private 79,564 0
Other Public Institutions* 134,278 687
Community Colleges 80,454 0
Technology Centers 13,939 0
Two-Year Private Insitutions 11,049 0
Off-campus Sites 28,836 687
* Note: By location of instiution, not county of residence of students
IX.  Public School Systems  (Total number of school systems is 136)
Statewide Lawrence County    
Number of Students
2007-2008                 944,738                    6,717               
Percent of Statewide 0.7%          
1997-1998                 834,318                    6,459               
Percent of Statewide 0.8%          
Increase/(Decrease)                 110,420 258          
Percent Change 13.2% 4.0%          
2007-2008
Free or Reduced-price Meals 54.5% 56.7%
Federal Title 1 39.7% 0.1%
Special Education 14.7% 16.0%
English Language Learners 3.2% 0.2%
Statewide Lawrence 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                      14.2               
1997-1998                      15.8                      15.9               
Increase/(Decrease)                       (0.9)                       (1.7)                    
Progress Through School
Promotion Rate
2007-2008 98.0% 97.8%          
1997-1998 96.6% 98.3%
Dropout Rate
2007-2008 10.1% 5.2%
1997-1998 4.5% 2.9%
*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 Lawrence County    
Expenditures per Student
2007-2008 $7,742 $6,739
Percent of Statewide 87.0%          
1997-1998 $5,123 $4,527
Percent of Statewide 88.4%          
Increase/Decrease $2,618 $2,212          
Percent Change 51.1% 48.9%          
Classroom Teachers' Average Salary*
2007-2008 $44,820 $40,427
Percent of Statewide 90.2%
1997-1998 $34,584 $30,589
Percent of Statewide 88.4%
Gain $10,236 $9,838
Percent Change 29.6% 32.2%          
Revenue by Source (percent of total)
2007-2008
State 47.6% 64.9%
Federal 10.8% 11.2%
Local 41.6% 23.9%
System Rank for Percent Local 88th 
2006-2007
State 45.5% 62.1%
Federal 11.0% 12.3%
Local 43.5% 25.6%
System Rank for Percent Local 85th 
Statewide Lawrence County County Rank
2008-2009 County Area Fiscal Capacity        
Estimated Local Revenue per Student $2,782 $1,663 47th 
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