Discover the 7 Richest Counties in Tennessee (and Who Lives There)

Written by Patrick MacFarland
Published: February 7, 2024
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Tennessee is one of the most well-known states in the United States. It is also considered one of the wealthiest states in the nation because of its industries located there. Historically, Tennessee has a robust and great history that has influenced the nation. In terms of wealth, where do the counties in Tennessee stand within the state? Which counties in Tennessee are at the top of the list? Let’s take a look at the seven richest counties in Tennessee.

Williamson County

Williamson County Courthouse stands behind civil war era bronze canons defending monument to the soldiers who died in the Battle of Franklin on the Franklin public square

Historically, Williamson County has always been a wealthy county with soil, livestock, and timber being what created its wealth.

©John Blottman/iStock via Getty Images

For a population of 247,000, Williamson County is part of the Nashville metropolitan area. Historically, Williamson County grew tobacco, hemp, and other crops, as well as livestock. This is what made the county wealthy and throughout the decades, it has continued in this trend. The county also has fantastic schools. Among the people living in Williamson County are Justin Timberlake, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw.

Wilson County

Tennessee welcomes you sign

Formed in 1799, Wilson County was named for the American Revolutionary War hero Major David Wilson.

©AndreyKrav/iStock via Getty Images

Located in the center of the state, Wilson County has a population of 147,000 people. The major industries that drive Wilson County’s economy include pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and packaging. The median home price in Wilson County is about $470,000, making it one of the wealthiest counties in Tennessee. Among the people living in Wilson County are country singer Gretchen Wilson, NASCAR driver Casey Atwood, and classical composer David Sartor.

Davidson County

Nashville, Tennessee, USA downtown city skyline on the Cumberland River.

Davidson County is named after North Carolina General William Lee Davidson.

©Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com

The county seat of Davidson County is Nashville, which is the state’s capital as well as Tennessee’s most populated city. Because Nashville is located within Davidson County, the region is the center of the state’s industries, financial businesses, and the state’s music and culture. Among the people who live in Davidson County are numerous musicians like Kesha, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and the great Dolly Parton.

Sumner County

Tennessee map

The county is named after Jethro Sumner, who was a general in the American Revolution.

©iStock.com/PeterHermesFurian

Sumner County is part of the Nashville metropolitan area and its population is 196,000 people. The cities located within Sumner County include Millersville, Westmoreland, and Portland, among others. Major industries that lift Summer County’s economy are manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and education. The county also has a medium home price of $401,000. Among the people who make Sumner County their home is R&B singer Nacole Rice. 

Rutherford County

Tennessee Map Flag Vector illustration Eps 10

Named after Griffith Rutherford, who was a North Carolina legislator and general in the American Revolution, Rutherford County was established in 1803.

©Yurchello108/iStock via Getty Images

Part of the Nashville metropolitan area, Rutherford County has a population of 352,000 people. Although the employer that employs the most people is Rutherford County Schools, there are also many other industries located in Rutherford County. Those include Amazon, Nissan, Middle Tennessee State University, and various manufacturing companies. Some people who currently or have lived in Rutherford County are football player Jerry Anderson, journalist Rankin Barbee, and singer Toni Baldwin.

Loudon County

Loudon Tennessee

Loudon County is named after a nearby fort called Fort Loudon.

©epantha/iStock via Getty Images

Part of the Knoxville Metropolitan area, Loudon County has a population of about 54,000 people. Unlike other places on this list, Loudon County is located in eastern Tennessee. The largest Industries in Loudon County include manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. Loudon County’s median home price is $366,000. Notable people who have lived or still live in Loudon County include Julia Hurley, Claire Donahue, Bruce Wilkerson, and musician Kenny Roberts.

Fayette County

A wood barn at a agriculture farm near the town of Somerville

Fayette County is named after the Marquis de Lafayette, who was a French ally of the Americans during the American Revolution and a good friend to President Thomas Jefferson.

©Tiago_Fernandez/iStock via Getty Images

Part of the Memphis metropolitan area, Fayette County has a population of about 41,000. Historically, Fayette County was one of the major counties in Tennessee for cotton cultivation and slavery. Today, Fayette County’s major industries are in the healthcare sector and manufacturing sector. Notable people who have lived or still live in Fayette County include singer Fred McDowell and Democratic legislator Johnny Shaw.

Conclusion

And there you have it, these are the seven richest counties in Tennessee. The people living here are quite wealthy and have established themselves quite nicely because of their work and money. Some people are living in Tennessee that are millionaires or even billionaires and that is a trend that is continuing in the future.

Summary of the 7 Richest Counties in Tennessee

RankCountyMedian IncomeOverall Wealth Index
1Williamson County$116,49245.06
2Wilson County$82,22428.11
3Davidson County$66,04726.44
4Sumner County$73,51725.69
5Rutherford County$72,98524.19
6Loudon County$66,15122.33
7Fayette County$69,72922.30

The photo featured at the top of this post is © cemplon/ via Canva.com


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About the Author

Patrick Macfarland is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering travel, geography, and history. Patrick has been writing for more than 10 years. In the past, he has been a teacher and a political candidate. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from SDSU and a Master's Degree in European Union Studies from CIFE. From San Diego, California, Patrick loves to travel and try new recipes to cook.

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