Rhea County, Tennessee
Selected Statistical Information
I.  Geography & Demographics Tennessee Rhea County County Rank Percent of State
Total Land Area (sq. mi.)                 41,217                316 69th  0.8%
Farmland (2007)          
Acres of Farmland            10,969,798           56,182  71st   0.5%
Number of Farms                 79,280                449  77th   0.6%
Average Size of Farms (Acres)                     138                125  55th   90.6%
Population            
2008 Estimate 6,214,888 30,781 48th  0.5%
2000 Census 5,689,283 28,400 50th  0.5%
1990 Census 4,877,203 24,344 51st  0.5%
Gain (1990 to 2000) 812,080 4,056 44th  0.5%
Growth Rate (1990 to 2000) 16.7% 16.7% 45th  100.1%
Population Density (per sq. mi.)         Comparison to State Figure
2008 Estimate                   150.8               97.4 48th  64.6%
2000 Census                   138.0               89.9 32nd  65.1%
1990 Census                   118.3               77.1 32nd  65.1%
Urban Population         Percent of State
2000 Census            3,618,968             9,108 48th  0.3%
1990 Census            2,969,948             5,671 53rd  0.2%
Growth Rate (1990 to 2000) 21.9% 60.6% 14th  277.3%
Percent of Population in Urban Areas
2000 Census 63.6% 32.1% 42nd  50.4%
1990 Census 60.9% 23.3% 57th  38.3%
Median Age            
2000 Census 36 37 53rd  103.6%
1990 Census 34 35 54th  103.6%
Population Percentages by Age Bracket        
2000 Census
under 18 24.6% 23.7% 48th 
18-24 9.6% 10.0% 16th 
25-44 30.2% 27.5% 70th 
45-64 23.2% 25.0% 41st 
65 & over 12.4% 13.8% 49th 
1990 Census
under 18 25.1% 25.4% 36th 
18-24 10.9% 10.7% 18th 
25-44 31.8% 29.1% 55th 
45-64 19.6% 20.6% 57th 
65 & over 12.6% 14.2% 53rd 
Population Growth by Age Bracket, 1990 to 2000  
Population Percentages by Race/Ethnicity (2000 Census)  
Tennessee Rhea County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
Males per 100 Females (2007) 95.4 97.0 15th  101.8%
Marriages Recorded per 1,000 Population in 2006 10.7 8.0 55th  74.8%
Divorces Recorded per 1,000 Population in 2006 4.7 5.4 68th  114.9%
*A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
II.  Income & Poverty Tennessee Rhea County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
Per Capita Personal Income          
2006 $32,172 $23,508 70th  73.1%
2000 $26,097 $19,624 65th  75.2%
Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.55% 3.06% 60th  86.08%
Median Household Income          
2007 $42,389 $37,682 46th  88.9%
2000 $35,760 $31,565 51st  88.3%
Compound Annual Growth Rate 2.46% 2.56% 20th  104.21%
2007 Poverty Rate          
All Ages  15.8% 18.0% 54th  113.92%
Related Children Under 18 Years  22.5% 25.9% 57th  115.11%
2000 Census            
All Ages  13.1% 9.0% 8th  68.56%
Related Children Under 18 Years 15.9% 10.9% 9th  68.60%
2007 Food Stamp Recipients (Monthly Average )          
Percent of Households 15.8% 21.4% 74th  135.44%
Percent of Individuals 14.1% 19.0% 72nd  134.30%
2007 Families First           
Percent of Households 2.5% 2.7% 84th  110.59%
Percent of Individuals 2.5% 2.6% 78th  103.79%
*A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
III.  Health & Healthcare Tennessee Rhea County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
2007 Pregnancy & Birth Rates           
Live births per 1,000 Population                    14.2               14.4 15th  101.4%
Percent of Live Births to Unmarried Parents 42.8% 44.4% 76th  103.7%
Percent Low Birth Weight 9.4% 9.1% 52nd  96.8%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 15-44                    80.7               76.0 23rd  94.2%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 10-17                    13.9               19.3 92nd  138.8%
Pregnancies per 1,000 Females Aged 10-14                      1.3                2.1 82nd  161.5%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
2007 Mortality Rates           
Number of Deaths per 1,000 Population                      9.3               11.5 69th  123.7%
Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population by Cause of Death
Diseases of the Heart                   233.2             314.2 69th  134.7%
Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm)                   215.3             252.0 59th  117.0%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
87th 
81st 
87th 
Tennessee Rhea County County Rank Comparison to State Figure
Access to Healthcare          
Medical Doctors per 1,000 (2007)                      1.8                0.4 72nd  23.5%
Hospital Beds per 1,000 Population (2006)                      4.2                0.8 78th  19.6%
Nursing Home Beds per 1,000 Pop. 65 & older (2006)                    49.2               74.1 23rd  150.7%
2006 Charity Care--Percent of All Hospital Care  8.5% 1.9% 53rd  22.6%
IV.  Employment
Unemployment Rate   Tennessee Rhea County County Rank* Comparison to State Figure
2009 (February) 9.5% 12.9% 64th  135.3%
2000 4.0% 4.8% 53rd  119.8%
2007 Youth Unemployment Rate  15.7% 22.1% 78th  141.1%
* A rank of 1 indicates the best condition.
2007 Employment Percentages by Major Industry   Tennessee Rhea County County Rank Comparison to State Figure
Total Employment All Industries 2,745,397 10,562 39 0.4%
Natural Resources and Mining 0.4% 1.0% 29 254.4%
Construction 4.9% 2.9% 45 59.1%
Manufacturing 13.8% 40.4% 26 291.7%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities 22.1% 12.2% 51 55.1%
Information 1.8% 0.7% 48 38.1%
Financial Activities 5.2% 2.4% 53 45.9%
Professional and Business Services 11.8% 5.3% 39 45.2%
Education and Health Services 12.4% 7.2% 51 58.4%
Leisure and Hospitality 10.1% 7.0% 44 69.8%
Other Services 2.6% 1.1% 54 41.2%
Government 14.9% 20.5% 27 137.5%
Federal 1.8% 7.2% 8 405.6%
State 3.3% 0.2% 52 6.4%
Local 9.9% 13.1% 41 132.6%
2007 Average Annual Wage by Major Industry         County Rank
22nd 
28th 
48th 
46th 
64th 
8th 
64th 
51st 
71st 
73rd 
66th 
13th 
1st 
45th 
32nd 
V.  Value of Farmland and Agricultural Products Sold
Tennessee Rhea County Rank
Estimated Market Value of Farmland & Buildings   $           467,420  $      449,752 43rd 
(Average Per Farm)
Estimated Market Value of Farmland & Buildings   $               3,378  $         3,594 37th 
(Average Per Acre)
Total Market Value of Agicultural Products Sold   $  2,617,394,000  $ 11,943,000 65th 
VI.  County Government Finance (municipalities' revenue data not available)
2001-2002 Revenue by Source (in thousands)   Tennessee Percent of Total Rhea County Percent of State Total
Grand Total  $         8,062,012 100.0%  $    32,311 100.00%
Total State Revenue  $         2,504,883 31.1%  $    14,653 45.3%
Public Schools            1,949,045 24.2%        11,841 36.6%
All Other               555,838 6.9%         2,812 8.7%
Federal Revenue  $           511,055 6.3%  $      2,963 9.2%
Total Local Revenue  $         5,046,074 62.6%  $    14,695 45.5%
Property Tax            2,720,971 33.8%         6,995 21.6%
Local Sales Tax            1,123,100 13.9%         3,734 11.6%
Other Local             1,202,003 14.9%         3,966 12.3%
 Tax Base (in thousands)   Tennessee Rhea County County Rank Percent of State
2007 Equalized Assessed Property Value  $     131,625,598  $      514,386
Tax Base Per Capita $21,179 $16,711 46th  78.9%
2007 County Property Tax Rate (per $100) $2.00 74th 
2008 Total Taxable Sales   $       69,005,974  $      201,002
Tax Base Per Capita $11,103 $6,530 13th  58.8%
2008 County Sales Tax Rate 2.75% 1st 
VII.  Public Infrastructure Needs Inventory
Estimated Costs, 2007 - 2012 (in thousands)   Tennessee Rhea County County Rank Percent of State
Project  Type
Transportation  $       17,106,712  $       46,115 70th 0.3%
Water & Wastewater            3,855,355             9,961 65th 0.3%
Law Enforcement            1,826,201             5,460 46th 0.3%
Public Buildings               526,288             2,800 27th 0.5%
Existing School Improvements            1,899,735             2,245 60th 0.1%
Industrial Sites & Parks               241,362             2,125 35th 0.9%
Recreation            1,118,527                680 81st 0.1%
Fire Protection               220,725                250 46th 0.1%
Libraries, Museums, & Historic Sites               285,785                 94 49th 0.0%
Non K-12 Education            3,015,869                    - 43rd 0.0%
K-12 New School Construction            1,798,581                    - 45th 0.0%
Other Utilities               598,698                    - 32nd 0.0%
Business District Development               375,758                    - 23rd 0.0%
Stormwater               371,227                    - 39th 0.0%
Community Development               367,547                    - 50th 0.0%
Public Health Facilities               323,093                    - 30th 0.0%
Housing               100,189                    - 14th 0.0%
School System-wide Need                 63,021                    - 16th 0.0%
Solid Waste                 54,314                    - 30th 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  $       69,730 81st 0.2%
VIII.  Adult & Post-secondary Education
Adult Educational Attainment     Tennessee Rhea County County Rank
2000 Census
Percent w/ HS diploma (or equivalent) or better 75.9% 65.3% 65th 
Percent w/ Bachelors Degree or better 19.6% 9.1% 60th 
2008 Estimate
1990 Census
Percent w/ HS diploma (or equivalent) or better 67.1% 56.0% 51st 
Percent w/ Bachelors Degree or better 16.0% 8.5% 43rd 
 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                1,044
Public 134,696 0
Private 79,564 1,044
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 Rhea County Dayton City  
Number of Students
2007-2008                 944,738                    4,118                705            
Percent of Statewide 0.4% 0.1%        
1997-1998                 834,318                    3,514                717            
Percent of Statewide 0.4% 0.1%        
Increase/(Decrease)                 110,420 604 -11        
Percent Change 13.2% 17.2% -1.6%        
2007-2008
Free or Reduced-price Meals 54.5% 69.9% 57.5%
Federal Title 1 39.7% 50.9% 103.9%
Special Education 14.7% 11.4% 16.9%
English Language Learners 3.2% 1.7% 6.9%
Statewide Rhea County Dayton City  
2007-2008 Accreditation by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools 
Elementary Schools 71.5% 0.0% 0.0%
Secondary Schools 90.8% 100.0% 0.0%
Students per Classroom Teacher*
2007-2008                      14.9                      15.5               12.5            
1997-1998                      15.8                      15.7               17.3            
Increase/(Decrease)                       (0.9)                       (0.2)                (4.8)                
Progress Through School
Promotion Rate
2007-2008 98.0% 97.3% 98.1%        
1997-1998 96.6% 97.8% 97.0%
Dropout Rate
2007-2008 10.1% n/a 8.7%
1997-1998 4.5% 5.2% n/a
*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 Rhea County Dayton City  
Expenditures per Student
2007-2008 $7,742 $6,918 $6,859
Percent of Statewide 89.4% 88.6%        
1997-1998 $5,123 $4,516 $3,564
Percent of Statewide 88.1% 69.6%        
Increase/Decrease $2,618 $2,402 $3,295        
Percent Change 51.1% 53.2% 92.4%        
Classroom Teachers' Average Salary*
2007-2008 $44,820 $40,441 $41,462
Percent of Statewide 90.2% 92.5%
1997-1998 $34,584 $30,626 $29,897
Percent of Statewide 88.6% 86.4%
Gain $10,236 $9,815 $11,566
Percent Change 29.6% 32.0% 38.7%        
Revenue by Source (percent of total)
2007-2008
State 47.6% 66.9% 66.6%
Federal 10.8% 11.3% 12.2%
Local 41.6% 21.9% 21.3%
System Rank for Percent Local 99th  103rd 
2006-2007
State 45.5% 65.8% 64.2%
Federal 11.0% 11.0% 13.6%
Local 43.5% 23.2% 22.3%
System Rank for Percent Local 96th  102nd 
Statewide Rhea County County Rank
2008-2009 County Area Fiscal Capacity        
Estimated Local Revenue per Student $2,782 $1,541 55th 
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