Most rural counties in Tennessee

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Tennessee

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Tennessee using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Monroe County

- Rural area: 98.2% (624 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 636 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #1,502 nationwide

- Population density: 73.0 people / square mile (46,413 residents)
--- #49 lowest density county in state, #2,013 nationwide

#49. White County

- Rural area: 98.3% (370 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 377 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,614 nationwide

- Population density: 71.9 people / square mile (27,087 residents)
--- #47 lowest density county in state, #2,002 nationwide

#48. Lincoln County

- Rural area: 98.3% (561 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (10 square miles)
- Total land area: 570 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #1,776 nationwide

- Population density: 59.9 people / square mile (34,158 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #1,850 nationwide

#47. Sequatchie County

- Rural area: 98.4% (261 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 266 square miles
--- #81 largest county in state, #2,872 nationwide

- Population density: 56.2 people / square mile (14,936 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,796 nationwide

#46. Chester County

- Rural area: 98.4% (281 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 286 square miles
--- #76 largest county in state, #2,831 nationwide

- Population density: 60.4 people / square mile (17,260 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #1,852 nationwide

#45. Weakley County

- Rural area: 98.5% (571 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 580 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #1,699 nationwide

- Population density: 57.5 people / square mile (33,377 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #1,814 nationwide

#44. Crockett County

- Rural area: 98.5% (261 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 266 square miles
--- #83 largest county in state, #2,874 nationwide

- Population density: 53.9 people / square mile (14,310 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,753 nationwide

#43. Lawrence County

- Rural area: 98.5% (608 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 617 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #1,569 nationwide

- Population density: 70.9 people / square mile (43,780 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #1,989 nationwide

#42. Obion County

- Rural area: 98.6% (537 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 545 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #1,914 nationwide

- Population density: 55.7 people / square mile (30,343 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,787 nationwide

#41. Hardin County

- Rural area: 98.7% (570 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 577 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #1,712 nationwide

- Population density: 44.5 people / square mile (25,665 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,561 nationwide

#40. Lewis County

- Rural area: 98.7% (278 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 282 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,841 nationwide

- Population density: 43.0 people / square mile (12,131 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,538 nationwide

#39. Macon County

- Rural area: 98.7% (303 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 307 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,793 nationwide

- Population density: 78.8 people / square mile (24,208 residents)
--- #52 lowest density county in state, #2,085 nationwide

#38. Marion County

- Rural area: 98.8% (492 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 498 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #2,091 nationwide

- Population density: 57.5 people / square mile (28,639 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #1,813 nationwide

#37. Fayette County

- Rural area: 98.8% (696 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 705 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #1,314 nationwide

- Population density: 57.6 people / square mile (40,612 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #1,815 nationwide

#36. Henderson County

- Rural area: 98.8% (514 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 520 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #2,004 nationwide

- Population density: 53.8 people / square mile (27,956 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,748 nationwide

#35. Haywood County

- Rural area: 98.9% (527 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 533 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #1,956 nationwide

- Population density: 32.6 people / square mile (17,391 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #1,286 nationwide

#34. Scott County

- Rural area: 98.9% (527 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 532 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #1,960 nationwide

- Population density: 41.4 people / square mile (22,020 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,506 nationwide

#33. DeKalb County

- Rural area: 99.0% (301 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 304 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #2,802 nationwide

- Population density: 66.1 people / square mile (20,104 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #1,927 nationwide

#32. Benton County

- Rural area: 99.0% (390 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 394 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,554 nationwide

- Population density: 40.9 people / square mile (16,133 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,494 nationwide

#31. Johnson County

- Rural area: 99.0% (296 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 298 square miles
--- #75 largest county in state, #2,809 nationwide

- Population density: 59.5 people / square mile (17,755 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #1,841 nationwide

#30. Smith County

- Rural area: 99.1% (311 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 314 square miles
--- #70 largest county in state, #2,776 nationwide

- Population density: 63.4 people / square mile (19,926 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #1,892 nationwide

#29. Giles County

- Rural area: 99.1% (606 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 611 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #1,585 nationwide

- Population density: 48.1 people / square mile (29,403 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,658 nationwide

#28. McNairy County

- Rural area: 99.2% (558 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 563 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #1,837 nationwide

- Population density: 45.9 people / square mile (25,814 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,600 nationwide

#27. Overton County

- Rural area: 99.2% (430 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 433 square miles
--- #51 largest county in state, #2,343 nationwide

- Population density: 51.1 people / square mile (22,171 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,711 nationwide

#26. Hardeman County

- Rural area: 99.3% (663 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 668 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #1,408 nationwide

- Population density: 37.8 people / square mile (25,247 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #1,416 nationwide

#25. Humphreys County

- Rural area: 99.3% (527 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 531 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #1,973 nationwide

- Population density: 34.9 people / square mile (18,528 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #1,341 nationwide

#24. Carroll County

- Rural area: 99.4% (596 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 599 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #1,628 nationwide

- Population density: 46.5 people / square mile (27,841 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,617 nationwide

#23. Cannon County

- Rural area: 99.5% (264 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 266 square miles
--- #82 largest county in state, #2,873 nationwide

- Population density: 54.1 people / square mile (14,374 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,757 nationwide

#22. Moore County

- Rural area: 100.0% (129 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 129 square miles
--- #94 largest county in state, #3,074 nationwide

- Population density: 49.5 people / square mile (6,396 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,682 nationwide

#21. Morgan County

- Rural area: 100.0% (522 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 522 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #1,999 nationwide

- Population density: 41.2 people / square mile (21,538 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,504 nationwide

#20. Trousdale County

- Rural area: 100.0% (114 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 114 square miles
--- #95 largest county in state, #3,079 nationwide

- Population density: 95.5 people / square mile (10,910 residents)
--- #61 lowest density county in state, #2,223 nationwide

#19. Union County

- Rural area: 100.0% (224 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 224 square miles
--- #86 largest county in state, #2,962 nationwide

- Population density: 88.0 people / square mile (19,678 residents)
--- #57 lowest density county in state, #2,161 nationwide

#18. Grainger County

- Rural area: 100.0% (281 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 281 square miles
--- #78 largest county in state, #2,846 nationwide

- Population density: 82.9 people / square mile (23,268 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #2,121 nationwide

#17. Meigs County

- Rural area: 100.0% (195 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 195 square miles
--- #89 largest county in state, #3,005 nationwide

- Population density: 62.7 people / square mile (12,237 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #1,880 nationwide

#16. Lake County

- Rural area: 100.0% (166 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 166 square miles
--- #91 largest county in state, #3,044 nationwide

- Population density: 43.9 people / square mile (7,273 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,552 nationwide

#15. Houston County

- Rural area: 100.0% (200 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 200 square miles
--- #88 largest county in state, #2,994 nationwide

- Population density: 40.9 people / square mile (8,201 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,495 nationwide

#14. Hickman County

- Rural area: 100.0% (612 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 612 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #1,581 nationwide

- Population density: 40.8 people / square mile (25,017 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,492 nationwide

#13. Polk County

- Rural area: 100.0% (435 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 435 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #2,332 nationwide

- Population density: 38.7 people / square mile (16,807 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,443 nationwide

#12. Jackson County

- Rural area: 100.0% (308 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 308 square miles
--- #71 largest county in state, #2,791 nationwide

- Population density: 38.2 people / square mile (11,767 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,429 nationwide

#11. Grundy County

- Rural area: 100.0% (361 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 361 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #2,651 nationwide

- Population density: 37.1 people / square mile (13,371 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #1,402 nationwide

#10. Fentress County

- Rural area: 100.0% (499 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 499 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #2,090 nationwide

- Population density: 36.9 people / square mile (18,405 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #1,395 nationwide

#9. Bledsoe County

- Rural area: 100.0% (406 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 406 square miles
--- #57 largest county in state, #2,492 nationwide

- Population density: 36.8 people / square mile (14,961 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #1,393 nationwide

#8. Decatur County

- Rural area: 100.0% (334 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 334 square miles
--- #66 largest county in state, #2,729 nationwide

- Population density: 34.9 people / square mile (11,663 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #1,342 nationwide

#7. Clay County

- Rural area: 100.0% (237 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 237 square miles
--- #84 largest county in state, #2,935 nationwide

- Population density: 32.3 people / square mile (7,640 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #1,280 nationwide

#6. Pickett County

- Rural area: 100.0% (163 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 163 square miles
--- #92 largest county in state, #3,046 nationwide

- Population density: 31.1 people / square mile (5,068 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #1,241 nationwide

#5. Hancock County

- Rural area: 100.0% (222 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 222 square miles
--- #87 largest county in state, #2,965 nationwide

- Population density: 29.5 people / square mile (6,568 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #1,199 nationwide

#4. Stewart County

- Rural area: 100.0% (459 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 459 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #2,230 nationwide

- Population density: 29.5 people / square mile (13,553 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #1,197 nationwide

#3. Wayne County

- Rural area: 100.0% (734 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 734 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #1,206 nationwide

- Population density: 22.7 people / square mile (16,638 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #988 nationwide

#2. Van Buren County

- Rural area: 100.0% (273 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 273 square miles
--- #80 largest county in state, #2,859 nationwide

- Population density: 21.3 people / square mile (5,813 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #933 nationwide

#1. Perry County

- Rural area: 100.0% (415 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 415 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #2,440 nationwide

- Population density: 19.3 people / square mile (8,020 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #864 nationwide

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