RANK #96 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 33 TN · POP 55,983
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Dickson County, Tennessee, offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to larger city amenities, with Nashville just a 30-minute drive east via I-40. The county seat, Charlotte, is notable for its historic courthouse, the oldest still in use in Tennessee. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, centered around Montgomery Bell State Park, which features extensive opportunities for camping, fishing, boating, hiking, and golf. The community maintains a friendly, close-knit feel, appealing to those seeking a quieter lifestyle with natural scenery.
Life in Dickson County often involves a mix of local engagement and commutes to nearby cities for work or entertainment. The public school system serves over 8,000 students across 15 schools and is considered above average. The local economy is experiencing growth, with job opportunities expanding in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. Recent investments in manufacturing and energy-related initiatives are contributing to this economic development, attracting businesses and supporting a stable housing market.
Dickson County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.2% YoY, population +1.4%, wages +3.2%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 17.1x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Dickson County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties · counties where safety is improving.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cumberland Next Generation Energy Center (Natural Gas Plant & Pipeline)
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Kinder Morgan
|
$2,100M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Dickson County ranks #96 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 90/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $75,003 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Dickson County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $306,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,015/month on average.
Dickson County's population is growing — up +1.4% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.3%). Home values shifted +2.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.33% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Dickson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.