Education, Employment and Housing
Obion County, TN has eight public schools, including Obion County Central High School and South Fulton High. The high school graduation rate is about 92%, while 15% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average public school scores on state assessments are near the Tennessee mean. The county prioritizes school safety, with all schools implementing safety resource officers and lockdown protocols. Educational programs include Career Technical Education (CTE) and dual enrollment opportunities. Adult education is supported through the Tennessee Reconnect initiative, enhancing local workforce skills.
Obion County, TN, has an employment rate of approximately 55%, with a civilian labor force of around 12,000 people. The largest employment sectors are Manufacturing (22%), Health Care & Social Assistance (18%), and Retail Trade (12%). Major occupation types include Production (20%), Office & Administrative Support (13%), and Sales (10%). Roughly 83% of workers commute by car, with 38% working outside Obion County, especially in neighboring Dyer and Weakley counties. The average commute time is 20 minutes.
Obion County, TN has a homeownership rate of about 68%, with a median home value near $130,000 as of 2023. The rental vacancy rate is 10%, and median rent is approximately $800/month. Housing types include single-family homes dominating, with some duplexes and apartments, especially in Union City and South Fulton. Popular neighborhoods feature historic homes and newer subdivisions. Property values have risen around 6% year-over-year. Property tax rates average $1.98 per $100 of assessed value, keeping ownership costs moderate compared to statewide averages.
County Crime & Safety
Obion County, TN, reports a crime rate of approximately 30.1 per 1,000 residents, slightly higher than the state average. In 2023, there were 489 total crimes, including 70 violent crimes and 419 property crimes. The most common offenses are theft and burglary. Local law enforcement actively publishes annual crime reports and encourages community involvement in crime prevention. Despite recent fluctuations, Obion County’s safety index remains moderate, with a 1 in 33 chance of becoming a victim of crime. Enhanced patrols and neighborhood watch programs aim to further reduce these statistics.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Obion County, TN, has a population of approximately 30,787. The median age is about 42 years, with 49.2% male and 50.8% female residents. Racially, the population is 84% White, 11% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, and 2.3% two or more races. Individuals of Hispanic or Latino origin comprise about 3.4% of the county’s population.
Elections
Obion County, TN, has approximately 20,000 registered voters. The county conducts primary, general, and special elections, with voter turnout averaging 55% in recent general elections. Key polling locations include the Obion County Courthouse and local schools across 13 precincts. The 2022 general election saw Republicans secure 68% of countywide votes, while Democrats earned 31%. Election issues include access to early voting, voter ID requirements, and accessibility for elderly voters. The Election Commission, a 5-member bipartisan board, administers elections. Major parties represented are Republican and Democratic, with minor presence from independents and third parties.
Popular names
- Thomas Bell
- Amanda Smith
- James Jones
- James Moore
- Linda Lee
- Michael Miller
- Jason Miller
- Joyce Williams
- Linda Knight
- Mary Jones
- Robert Johnson
- William Jackson
- Ashley Johnson
- Brittany Jones
- Bryan Miller
- Charles Davis
- David Hayes
- James Brown
- James Jackson
- James Kendall
- James Wilson
- Jessica Jones
- Robert Bell
- Thomas Johnson
- Timothy Smith
- Aimee Burton
- Anita Keeling
- Bobby Brown
- Bobby Johnson
- Charles Moore
- Claudia Watts
- Debbie Jones
- Ginger Tanner
- James Cook
- James Roberts
- James Thomas
- Jason Moore
- Jason Morris
- Jerry Ward
- John Jones
- John Smith
- Larry Johnson
- Linda Robinson
- Michael Brown
- Michael Kirk
- Michael Smith
- Michael Thompson
- Richard Johnson
- Richard Smith
- Robert Green
- Robert Jones
- Robert King
- Robert Schmidt
- Robert Simmons
- Robert Williams
- Susan Warren
- Timothy Davis
- Travis Johnson
- William Adams
- Adolfo Mora
Other Counties in Tennessee
- Anderson
- Bedford
- Benton
- Bledsoe
- Blount
- Bradley
- Campbell
- Cannon
- Carroll
- Carter
- Cheatham
- Chester
- Claiborne
- Clay
- Cocke
- Coffee
- Crockett
- Cumberland
- Davidson
- Decatur
- Dekalb
- Dickson
- Dyer
- Fayette
- Fentress
- Franklin
- Gibson
- Giles
- Grainger
- Greene
- Grundy
- Hamblen
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Hardeman
- Hardin
- Hawkins
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Henry
- Hickman
- Houston
- Humphreys
- Jackson
- Jefferson
- Johnson
- Knox
- Lake
- Lauderdale
- Lawrence
- Lewis