Parsons, TN

Tennessee

Parsons is a small town in Tennessee with a population of 2,578. Residents earn $32,129 per year, which is 57% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,578 Population 637/sq mi density
$32,129 Median Income $24,105 per capita
$107,400 Home Value $159,780 Zillow
$731 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
213 Violent Crime/100K 1,748 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$32,129 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$107,400 home value, $731/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
213 violent crimes/100K (44% below avg)
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $32,129
57% lower than US avg
Home Value $107,400
62% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 213/100K
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.6%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $731
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.8%
36% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.9%
52% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,578
Median Age44.3 yrs
Density637/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

C+
Median Income$32,129
Per Capita$24,105
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty18.9%
County GDP$457M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$107,400
Rent$731
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$159,780

Crime

F
Violent213/100K
Property1,748/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault171/100K
Burglary554/100K

Health

Obesity43.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression33.3%
Heart Disease7.6%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain57.1 in/yr
Elevation513 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.6%
High School+80.0%
School Score5.08

Community

2024 VoteR 84% / D 15%
Commute23 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Parsons a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Parsons receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Parsons has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Parsons is $32,129, 57% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 18.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Parsons is $107,400, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $731 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Parsons is below the national average at 213 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,748 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Parsons enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 57.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Parsons has a population of 2,578 with a density of 637 people per square mile. The median age is 44.3 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85%), with 9.4% Black.

Population

2,578
Total Population
637
People / sq mi
44.3yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
4.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52%
Female 48%

Race & Ethnicity

Parsons vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Parsons vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Parsons is $32,129, which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Parsons vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,129
57% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,105
Avg Weekly Wage$896
IRS Avg AGI$54,302

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.9%
52% above US avg
Establishments (County)299
County GDP$457M

Business (County)

Restaurants18
Healthcare26
Retail44
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,988
43% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.1 min
Work from Home10.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Parsons is $107,400, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $731 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $159,780.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$107,400
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$159,780

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$731
37% 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-Occupied55.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,988
43% below US avg
Effective Rate1.85%
In Parsons, 43.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 33.3% report depression. 33.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.8%
36% above US avg
Diabetes14.2%
Heart Disease7.6%
High Blood Pressure39.3%
Asthma12.1%
COPD11.9%
Stroke4.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.5%
Physical Inactivity33.5%
Depression33.3%
Mental Distress24.1%
Physical Distress18.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.4%
Checkup Rate75.4%
Premature Death14,620/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access44.9%
Healthcare Facilities26
Parsons has a violent crime rate of 213 per 100,000 residents, 44% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,748 per 100,000 (11% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent213.2/100K
44% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape42.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault170.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,748.4/100K
11% below US avg
Burglary554.4/100K
Theft1,108.7/100K
Vehicle Theft85.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Parsons has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.2°F
11% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.1 inches
50% above US avg
Snowfall1.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation513 ft (156 m)
Area4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²)
Population Density637/sq mi
Coordinates35.6512°N, 88.1231°W
County FIPS47039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 6.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 69.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 84.1%
D 15%

Winner: Republican by 69.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.6%
80% below US avg
High School+80.0%
School Test Score5.08
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density637/sq mi
Total Area4.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities26
Restaurants18
Retail Stores44

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.1 min
Work from Home10.0%

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