District 1
RANK #207 / 996 NAT · #4 / 33 TN · POP 50,455
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Gibson County, Tennessee, distinguishes itself with the Gibson County Fair in Trenton, the longest continuously running fair in the Southern U.S., active for 167 years. Located in northwest Tennessee, the county sits about 90 miles from Memphis and 180 miles from Nashville, with Interstate 40 just 12 miles away, offering access to both major cities. The community maintains a rural feel, with towns like Milan and Humboldt serving as larger population centers. Outdoor recreation centers around Gibson County Lake, a 560-acre lake known for bass fishing, camping, and picnic areas.
Life in Gibson County offers a low cost of living and a family-oriented atmosphere. Many residents commute to nearby Madison County for work. The county has five independent school systems, including the Gibson County Special School District, which includes South Gibson County High School, ranked among the top high schools in Tennessee. The local economy is experiencing growth, particularly in manufacturing and distribution, with new investments creating jobs in these sectors. Healthcare and retail also contribute significantly to employment.
Below national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.4x 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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Tyson Foods Poultry Plant
Tyson Foods Inc.
|
$300M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 79/100, Gibson County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $55,455 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TN.
By national standards, Gibson County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $130,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.42 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $756/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Gibson County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs -0.5%. Home values shifted +1.4% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.84% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Gibson County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.