Hunt & Live

Marion County, TN

29,094 residents · 498 sq mi · 58.4/sq mi · 91% rural

Climate
58.5°F
61.5" rain/yr
Water
humid
Aridity index 2.17
Hardiness
Zone 8b
Winter low ~19.4°F

About Marion County

Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,837. Its county seat is Jasper. Marion County is part of the Chattanooga metropolitan area. Marion County is in the Central time zone, while Chattanooga proper is in the Eastern time zone.

39
Prepper Suitability
worsebetter
National rank: #2242 of 3,109
Locator map
Location within the continental US

Prepper Assessment

Living in this area is characterized by a humid subtropical climate with an annual mean temperature of 58.5°F and an average of 61.5 inches of rainfall per year. The growing season is favorable for diverse crops, supported by USDA zone 8b. The terrain is predominantly rural, with 91% of the population living in less dense settings, allowing for ample space for self-sufficient living and gardening. However, the area does have some limitations in terms of access to immediate urban resources.

Natural hazards pose some risks, as indicated by FEMA rankings for strong winds (83), tornadoes (82), and landslides (81). The violence percentile is relatively low at 29/100, suggesting a safer environment, but the disaster percentile at 58/100 indicates moderate risk overall. The median home price of $153,000 is reasonable, but potential homesteaders should consider the effective property tax rate of 0.47% when budgeting for land and living expenses.

This county may be a good fit for individuals or families seeking a rural lifestyle with the potential for self-sufficiency and gardening. Those comfortable with the risks associated with severe weather events and who appreciate a more remote living environment may thrive here. However, individuals requiring robust urban infrastructure or those who are not prepared for the potential challenges of rural living might find this area less suitable.

AI-generated analysis based on county data (climate, hazards, density, housing, economy). For general orientation only.

Key Facts

Ranked #1,429 nationally
Out of 3,109 CONUS counties for composite prepper suitability.
#17 of 95 in TN
Ranked #17 of 95 counties statewide for prepper suitability.
Dominant hazard: strong wind
FEMA ranks strong wind risk at 83/100 here — the leading natural threat.
Rural-suburban mix
58.4 people per square mile.
Climate profile
Classified as humid with a 58.5°F annual mean and 61.5" of annual precipitation. USDA hardiness zone 8b.
Housing & taxes
Median home value $153,000.

Score Breakdown

Violence
67
percentile (lower = safer)
Disasters
58
percentile (lower = safer)
Density
58
percentile (lower = emptier)
Overall FEMA Risk
58.2
NRI composite (0-100)

Natural Hazard Profile (FEMA NRI)

Cold Wave 78
Drought 52
Earthquake 70
Hail 20
Hurricane 38
Heat Wave 28
Riverine Flood 61
Ice Storm 45
Landslide 81
Lightning 34
Strong Wind 83
Tornado 82
Wildfire 60
Winter Weather 63

Monthly Climate (1991–2020 normals)

Average temperature
JFMAMJ JASOND
Monthly precipitation (inches)
JFMAMJ JASOND
Summer high
86.4°F
Winter low
29.4°F
Heating degree days
3,656
Cooling degree days
1,310

Housing & Economy

Median home value
$153,000
Median HH income
$58,139
Price to income
2.6×
Property tax rate
0.47%
~$722/yr median

Community Profile

Median age
43.6
Homeownership
77.7%
Poverty rate
16.3%
Unemployment
5.7%

Connectivity

Broadband households
63.7%
No internet access
17.1%

Explore Marion County Further

Similar Counties

Data sources. Prepper scores are national percentile ranks of firearm fatalities (County Health Rankings 2024 / CDC WONDER), FEMA National Risk Index 2023 composite disaster score, and population density (ACS 2022 + TIGER 2022 land area). Climate from NOAA nClimDiv 1991–2020 normals. Hardiness zone is estimated from climate data and may differ from the official USDA PHZM. Demographics and housing from Census ACS 5-year 2022. All scores are for comparison purposes only and do not constitute advice about where to live.