Rhea County Public RecordsTennessee

Rhea County, TN, had 17,542 registered voters in 2022. It conducts primary, general, and special elections; the 2020 presidential election saw 78% (13,683) turnout, with 81% voting Republican. Key polling places include Dayton, Spring City, and Graysville precincts. Vote-by-mail and early voting are significant, with over 4,000 early ballots cast in recent cycles. Local issues focus on education funding and infrastructure. The Rhea County Election Commission oversees administration, while the main parties are Republican and Democratic, with Republicans holding most county offices.

As of the 2020 Census, Rhea County, TN, has a population of 32,870. The median age is 41.1 years, with 22.2% under 18 and 19.2% aged 65 or older. The gender split is nearly even: 50.6% male and 49.4% female. Racially, the county is predominantly White (89.8%), followed by Black or African American (2.6%), two or more races (5.3%), and others. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 5.1% of the population.

Rhea County, TN, has 13 public schools, including Rhea County High School, with a graduation rate of 93% (2022). About 10.7% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average standardized test scores are below the state average, with ACT composite scores around 17.9. The county offers adult education through the Rhea County Adult Education Center. School safety initiatives include resource officers in schools. Programs such as advanced placement, career and technical education, and special education services are available to students.

As of 2023, Rhea County, TN has an employment rate of approximately 53.5%. Manufacturing is the leading industry, employing about 24% of the workforce, followed by healthcare and social assistance at 15%, and retail trade at 11%. Major occupation types include production (19%), office/administrative support (13%), and sales (11%). The median commute time is 26 minutes, with over 66% of employed residents commuting outside the county, primarily to Hamilton and Bradley counties for work. These trends reflect Rhea's reliance on nearby regional employment centers and its industrial base.

Rhea County, TN, has a homeownership rate of about 75%, with a median home value of approximately $186,000—up around 10% since 2022. The median rent is near $900/month. Housing mainly consists of single-family homes, with some mobile homes and small apartment complexes in Dayton, the county seat. Popular neighborhoods include Eagle Ridge and Ridgeview. Property tax rates average $1.97 per $100 assessed value, among the lower rates in Tennessee. The market is moderately competitive, with steady demand and limited new construction.

Rhea County, TN, reports a moderate crime rate compared to state averages. In 2022, the violent crime rate was approximately 3.4 per 1,000 residents, and property crime stood at 18.9 per 1,000. Local law enforcement recorded 70 violent crimes and 393 property crimes, with theft and burglary being most common. Reporting is handled by the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office, promoting community policing and crime prevention. Overall, crime rates have slightly declined since 2020, indicating steady improvements in safety for residents.