Big Sandy, TN

Tennessee

Big Sandy is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 589. Residents earn $43,036 per year, which is 43% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
589 Population 935/sq mi density
$43,036 Median Income $20,760 per capita
$62,300 Home Value $179,464 Zillow
$692 Median Rent 27.6% income on rent
59°F Avg Temperature 299 sunny days/yr
183 Violent Crime/100K 1,832 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$43,036 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$62,300 home value, $692/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
183 violent crimes/100K (52% below avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,036
43% lower than US avg
Home Value $62,300
78% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 183/100K
52% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.1%
79% lower than US avg
Median Rent $692
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.0%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 16.9%
36% higher than US avg

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

People

Population589
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density935/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans10.4%

Economy

B
Median Income$43,036
Per Capita$20,760
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty16.9%
County GDP$587M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$62,300
Rent$692
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$179,464
Housing Units332
Rent Burden27.6%

Crime

F
Violent183/100K
Property1,832/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault183/100K
Burglary183/100K

Health

Obesity41.0%
Uninsured13.7%
Smoking23.5%
Depression32.2%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F (15°C)
AQI40 (Good)
Rain51.8 in/yr
Sunny Days299/yr
Elevation380 ft (116 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.1%
High School+85.2%
Graduate+1.5%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 81% / D 18%
Commute28 min
Broadband80.7%
Libraries2

Is Big Sandy a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Sandy receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes. Big Sandy has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Sandy is $43,036, 43% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 16.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big Sandy is $62,300, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $692 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Big Sandy is below the national average at 183 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,832 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

7.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Big Sandy enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 299 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 51.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Big Sandy has a population of 589 with a density of 935 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.5%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

589
Total Population
935
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.8%
Female 49.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Sandy vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.2%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.8%
79% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Big Sandy vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Sandy is $43,036, which is 43% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 16.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Big Sandy vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,036
43% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,760
Avg Weekly Wage$880
IRS Avg AGI$53,785

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate16.9%
36% above US avg
Establishments (County)381
County GDP$587M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare33
Retail56
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,350
33% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.3 min
Drive Alone82.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Big Sandy is $62,300, 78% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $692 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $179,464.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$62,300
78% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$179,464

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$692
40% below US avg
Rent Burden27.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied49.0%
Housing Units332
Median Year Built1976

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,350
33% below US avg
Effective Rate3.77%
In Big Sandy, 41.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 13.7% of residents lack health insurance. 23.5% are current smokers. 32.2% report depression. 31.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Big Sandy vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.0%
28% above US avg
Diabetes12.7%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure37.7%
Asthma11.5%
COPD10.1%
Cancer7.4%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking23.5%
68% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity31.3%
Depression32.2%
Mental Distress23.6%
Physical Distress17.1%
Short Sleep40.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.9%
Uninsured13.7%
59% above US avg
Checkup Rate74.8%
Dental Visits52.8%
Premature Death14,781/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.8/10
Exercise Access56.7%
Healthcare Facilities33
Big Sandy has a violent crime rate of 183 per 100,000 residents, 52% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,832 per 100,000 (7% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent183.2/100K
52% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault183.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,831.5/100K
7% below US avg
Burglary183.2/100K
Theft1,648.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson183.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Big Sandy has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.8 inches. The area enjoys 299 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.3°F
10% above US avg
January Average38°F (3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days299 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.8 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall4.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation380 ft (116 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density935/sq mi
Coordinates36.2327°N, 88.0851°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS47005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 7.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (79% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 62.9-point margin. 80.7% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 81.1%
D 18.1%

Winner: Republican by 62.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.1%
79% below US avg
High School+85.2%
Graduate Degree+1.5%
School Test Score5.08
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density935/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access80.7%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants28
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.3 min
Drive Alone82.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.1%

Nearby Cities

Camden, TN 3,664 pop · 11.6 mi Paris, TN 10,313 pop · 13.1 mi New Johnsonville, TN 1,930 pop · 16.3 mi Bruceton, TN 1,363 pop · 16.4 mi Tennessee Ridge, TN 1,546 pop · 18.6 mi Waverly, TN 4,278 pop · 19.3 mi Dover, TN 2,080 pop · 21.8 mi Erin, TN 1,212 pop · 22.2 mi Huntingdon, TN 4,413 pop · 24.3 mi McKenzie, TN 5,706 pop · 24.5 mi McEwen, TN 1,814 pop · 26.5 mi Gleason, TN 1,179 pop · 29.3 mi Murray, KY 17,888 pop · 29.5 mi Clarksburg, TN 1,011 pop · 30.4 mi
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