Baxter, TN

Tennessee

Baxter is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 1,278. Residents earn $56,806 per year, which is 24% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,278 Population 406/sq mi density
$56,806 Median Income $30,883 per capita
$198,800 Home Value $295,208 Zillow
$850 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature
501 Violent Crime/100K 3,937 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$56,806 median income, 0.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$198,800 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
501 violent crimes/100K (32% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,806
24% lower than US avg
Home Value $198,800
29% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 501/100K
32% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.9%
75% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.2%
71% higher than US avg

How Baxter Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,278
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density406/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B
Median Income$56,806
Per Capita$30,883
Unemployment0.9%
Poverty21.2%
County GDP$5,269M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$198,800
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$295,208

Crime

F
Violent501/100K
Property3,937/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault501/100K
Burglary644/100K

Health

Obesity38.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.3%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain60.0 in/yr
Elevation1,066 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+88.1%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute21 min
EV Stations2
Libraries4

Is Baxter a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Baxter receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Baxter has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Baxter is $56,806, 24% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.9%. The poverty rate of 21.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Baxter is $198,800, 29% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,937 per 100,000, 101% above the national average.

Education

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Baxter enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 60.0 inches, including 6.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Baxter has a population of 1,278 with a density of 406 people per square mile. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.3%), with 2% Hispanic, 1.3% Black.

Population

1,278
Total Population
406
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
3.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.9%
Female 48.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Baxter vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.7%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.3%
68% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Baxter vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Baxter is $56,806, which is 24% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Baxter vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,806
24% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,883
Avg Weekly Wage$968
IRS Avg AGI$72,519

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.9%
75% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.2%
71% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,565
County GDP$5,269M

Business (County)

Restaurants225
Healthcare254
Retail352
Manufacturing109

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,811
9% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.6 min
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Baxter is $198,800, 29% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $295,208.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$198,800
29% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$295,208
Median List Price$274,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$274,950
$/Sq Ft$198
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio99.7%
Price Drops23.8%
Inventory21

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$882
1 Bedroom$924
2 Bedrooms$1,118
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,644

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,811
9% above US avg
Effective Rate1.92%
In Baxter, 38.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.3% report depression. 26.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Baxter vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.7%
21% above US avg
Diabetes11.4%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure35.9%
Asthma11.4%
COPD9.0%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.0%
Physical Inactivity26.6%
Depression30.3%
Mental Distress22.1%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.1%
Checkup Rate74.7%
Premature Death10,996/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access54.0%
Healthcare Facilities254
Baxter has a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, 32% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,937 per 100,000 (101% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Baxter vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent501.1/100K
32% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault501.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,937.0/100K
101% above US avg
Burglary644.2/100K
Theft2,863.3/100K
Vehicle Theft429.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Baxter has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 60.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.4°F
6% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall60.0 inches
58% above US avg
Snowfall6.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,066 ft (325 m)
Area3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²)
Population Density406/sq mi
Coordinates36.1537°N, 85.6349°W
County FIPS47141
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.1%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 47.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+88.1%
School Test Score5.08
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density406/sq mi
Total Area3.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities254
Restaurants225
Retail Stores352

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.6 min
Work from Home13.8%

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