Decatur County

Decatur County is located in west-central Tennessee, along the Tennessee River and within the state’s West Tennessee region. Established in 1845 and named for naval officer Stephen Decatur, the county developed around river transportation and later diversified with agriculture and small-scale manufacturing. It is a small county by population, with roughly 11,000 residents in the 2020 U.S. Census, and settlement is dispersed across small towns and unincorporated communities. The landscape includes river bottomlands, rolling uplands, and extensive shoreline associated with Kentucky Lake, supporting outdoor recreation alongside working farms. The local economy is anchored by agriculture, public services, and regional trade, with additional activity tied to tourism and seasonal lake communities. The county seat is Decaturville, which serves as the primary center for government and civic institutions.

Decatur County is a rural county in southwestern Middle Tennessee, situated along the Tennessee River and centered on the county seat of Decaturville. County services and planning information are published through the Decatur County official website.

Population Size

According to the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Decatur County, Tennessee, the county’s population size is reported by the Census Bureau on that profile page (including the most recent annual estimate shown there).

Age & Gender

Age distribution (including standard Census categories such as under 18, 18–64, and 65+) and the male/female breakdown are reported in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Decatur County.
For additional detailed tables (including 5-year age bands), Decatur County tabulations are available through data.census.gov (American Community Survey and decennial census tables).

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Racial composition and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (reported separately from race, consistent with Census standards) are provided in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Decatur County.
More granular race and ethnicity tables for the county are available via data.census.gov.

Household & Housing Data

Household and housing indicators commonly used for local planning—such as number of households, average household size, owner-occupied housing rate, housing unit counts, and related measures—are reported in the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts profile for Decatur County.
Expanded housing and household characteristics (including tenure, vacancy, and selected housing value/rent statistics, where available) can be accessed from county-level tables on data.census.gov.

Decatur County, Tennessee is a largely rural county where low population density and long last‑mile distances can constrain wired broadband buildout, influencing how reliably residents can use email for work, school, and services.

Direct county-level email usage statistics are not routinely published, so email adoption is inferred from digital access proxies such as internet subscriptions, device availability, and demographics reported by the U.S. Census Bureau (data.census.gov) and program context from the FCC National Broadband Map. The most relevant indicators are household broadband subscription (including cable/fiber/DSL and cellular data plans) and computer access; lower rates of either are associated with lower day‑to‑day email access and more reliance on smartphones.

Age distribution affects likely email use: older populations tend to have lower broadband adoption and lower engagement with account-based online communication than prime working-age groups, while school-age and working-age residents face stronger institutional demand for email. Gender distribution is generally less predictive than age and access, with differences primarily mediated by occupation and connectivity.

Connectivity limitations typically stem from service gaps, affordability constraints, and performance variability in rural networks.

Decatur County is a rural county in southwestern Middle Tennessee, anchored by Decaturville and Parsons, with extensive forest and river/lake terrain along the Tennessee River system (including areas near Kentucky Lake). Low population density, dispersed housing, and variable topography (wooded areas and river valleys) are structural factors that commonly affect cellular signal propagation, backhaul availability, and the economics of dense network buildouts. Baseline population and housing context for the county is available from Census.gov (data.census.gov).

Key definitions: availability vs. adoption

• Network availability (coverage): Whether mobile broadband service is reported as available at a location (often modeled and provider-reported). This is tracked nationally by the FCC.
• Household/user adoption (usage): Whether residents subscribe to and use mobile service (smartphones, mobile data plans, or cellular home internet). This is primarily measured through surveys such as the American Community Survey (ACS) and related Census products.

County-level coverage can be high on paper while adoption remains constrained by affordability, device ownership, indoor coverage gaps, data caps, or limited competition.

Mobile penetration / access indicators (adoption)

County-specific “mobile phone ownership” metrics are generally not published as a single penetration rate at the county level in standard federal datasets. The most consistently available county-level adoption indicator is whether households rely on cellular data for home internet service.

• Cellular data as a household internet subscription (ACS): The U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS includes a subscription category for “cellular data plan” (internet access via mobile service). This provides a county-level measure of households using mobile networks for internet access (often as a primary or only connection). Decatur County estimates are accessible via Census.gov tables for Internet Subscriptions (ACS 5-year data are typically needed for rural counties due to sample size).
• Smartphone ownership (county limitation): Smartphone ownership is frequently measured at national or state levels by research organizations, but county-level smartphone ownership is not consistently available in official public datasets. County-level device-type penetration is therefore generally inferred only indirectly (for example, through cellular-data-plan subscriptions) and cannot be stated definitively without a specific county survey.

Network availability: 4G LTE and 5G in Decatur County

FCC-reported mobile broadband coverage (availability, not adoption)

The FCC publishes provider-reported mobile broadband availability through its broadband data program. This includes 4G LTE and 5G availability by technology and provider.

• Primary source: FCC National Broadband Map (mobile broadband layers).
  The FCC map can be used to view 4G LTE and 5G coverage claims for specific locations in Decatur County and to compare providers.
• Data notes and limitations: The FCC mobile map reflects provider submissions and standardized modeling. It does not directly measure real-world performance at every address, and rural/wooded terrain can produce localized coverage variability (especially indoors or in low-lying areas). The FCC provides documentation and data methods via FCC Broadband Data Collection resources.

4G LTE vs. 5G availability (general pattern with county-level verification)

• 4G LTE: In rural Tennessee counties, 4G LTE is typically the most broadly reported mobile broadband technology due to legacy macrocell coverage. Verification for Decatur County requires checking the FCC map by location.
• 5G: 5G availability in rural counties is often uneven, with coverage concentrated along highways, towns, and areas with upgraded cell sites. The FCC map is the authoritative public reference for location-specific availability claims in Decatur County.

Mobile internet usage patterns

Mobile networks as a substitute for fixed broadband (adoption signal)

Where fixed wired options are limited or expensive, rural households may use:

• Smartphone tethering/hotspot for home connectivity
• Cellular home internet (fixed wireless over mobile networks)

The most direct county-level indicator of this pattern is the ACS measure of households with an internet subscription via cellular data plan (see Census tables referenced above). This metric distinguishes adoption from availability: a covered area may still show low cellular-plan adoption for home internet due to cost, device constraints, or preference for fixed service where available.

Performance and capacity (county limitation)

County-level statistics on median mobile download/upload speeds, latency, or data consumption are not typically published in official government datasets at the county level. Provider-reported coverage does not equal consistent throughput, particularly in areas with limited backhaul or higher sector loading.

Common device types (smartphones vs. other devices)

• Smartphones: Smartphones are the dominant endpoint for mobile connectivity in the United States, but county-specific smartphone share is not generally published in a standardized official dataset. The presence of cellular-data-plan subscriptions in ACS is consistent with smartphone and mobile-device usage but does not quantify smartphones vs. basic phones.
• Non-phone mobile devices: Tablets, hotspots, and cellular routers are used where mobile networks serve as the primary internet connection. These are also not reliably enumerated at county level in public datasets.
• Practical county-level proxy: ACS “cellular data plan” subscriptions and “broadband such as cable, fiber, or DSL” subscriptions together help describe whether households are more reliant on mobile vs. fixed access, but they do not identify device mix.

Demographic and geographic factors influencing mobile usage and connectivity

Geography and settlement patterns (connectivity and usage)

• Low density and dispersed homes increase per-user network build cost and can reduce the business case for dense cell-site placement.
• Forested areas and rolling terrain can reduce line-of-sight and increase signal attenuation, affecting coverage consistency and indoor reception.
• River/lake terrain can create localized propagation effects and coverage shadows, particularly away from major roads and towns.

Socioeconomic factors (adoption)

County-level adoption of mobile service for internet access is influenced by:

• Income and affordability constraints affecting device replacement cycles and data-plan selection
• Availability and pricing of fixed broadband alternatives (when fixed options are limited, cellular plans are more likely to be used for home connectivity)

Comparable county socioeconomic indicators (income, age distribution, housing, and poverty) are available through Census.gov and can be used alongside ACS internet subscription data to contextualize adoption patterns without asserting unsupported causal relationships.

State and local broadband context (availability and planning)

Tennessee broadband planning and mapping initiatives provide additional context for regional infrastructure and program activity, but they do not replace FCC availability or ACS adoption measures.

• Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (Broadband) (state program context)
• Local government context and services can be referenced via Decatur County, Tennessee (official site) (general county information)

Summary: what can be stated with high confidence vs. what is limited

• High-confidence, county-applicable sources
  • Availability: FCC National Broadband Map (4G/5G provider-reported availability by location).
  • Adoption proxy: ACS household internet subscription category for cellular data plan (county estimates via Census).
• Common limitations at county level
  • No standard, official county-level statistic for smartphone ownership or mobile phone penetration as a single rate.
  • Limited public county-level measurement of mobile performance (speeds/latency) in official datasets.

This separation supports a clear distinction between reported network availability (FCC) and actual household adoption/usage (ACS/Census).

Decatur County is a rural county in southwestern Middle Tennessee along the Tennessee River, with Decaturville as the county seat and small river-oriented communities such as Parsons nearby. Its mix of rural households, commuting ties to larger regional hubs, and strong community institutions (schools, churches, local civic groups) tends to align social media use with common rural patterns: heavy reliance on mobile access, strong use of community-oriented platforms, and high engagement with local news and events shared peer-to-peer.

User statistics (penetration / active use)

• County-specific social media penetration figures are not published consistently by major survey organizations; most reliable measurements are available at the national level and sometimes at broad regional levels.
• U.S. adult baseline: About 69% of U.S. adults use at least one social media site, according to Pew Research Center’s Social Media Use in 2023. This serves as the most commonly cited benchmark for counties lacking direct measurement.
• Broadly relevant rural context: Social media use is widespread across community types, while broadband availability and reliance on smartphones can shape intensity and platform choices; national tracking of access patterns is summarized by Pew Research Center’s Mobile Fact Sheet and the FCC broadband data resources (infrastructure context rather than social-platform adoption).

Age group trends (highest-use groups)

National survey results consistently show higher social media use among younger adults, with use tapering with age:

• Ages 18–29: highest adoption across most major platforms
• Ages 30–49: high adoption, typically second-highest
• Ages 50–64: moderate adoption
• Ages 65+: lowest adoption, though usage has increased over time
  Source: Pew Research Center (2023 social media use).

Gender breakdown

• At the “any social media use” level, men and women are relatively similar nationally, while platform-level differences are more pronounced (for example, women tend to be more represented on visually oriented and community-oriented platforms in many surveys).
• Pew’s platform-by-platform tables provide the most cited national breakdowns by gender: Pew Research Center platform usage detail (2023).

Most-used platforms (percentages where available)

County-specific platform shares are generally not published in reliable public datasets; the most defensible approach uses national adult usage rates as a benchmark:

• YouTube: ~83% of U.S. adults
• Facebook: ~68%
• Instagram: ~47%
• Pinterest: ~35%
• TikTok: ~33%
• LinkedIn: ~30%
• X (formerly Twitter): ~22%
• Snapchat: ~27%
  Source: Pew Research Center (Social Media Use in 2023).
  These national percentages are commonly used for local context in rural counties where direct platform measurement is unavailable.

Behavioral trends (engagement patterns / preferences)

• Video as a default format: High YouTube reach nationally aligns with broad consumption of short and long-form video; video is also prominent within Facebook and Instagram feeds. (Benchmark: Pew platform usage.)
• Community information sharing: In rural counties, local happenings, school and sports updates, weather impacts, and community notices are frequently circulated via Facebook pages/groups and message-based sharing; this reflects Facebook’s continued high penetration and its group/event features.
• Mobile-first engagement: A significant share of adults access online content primarily via smartphones, which supports frequent short sessions and higher responsiveness to posts optimized for mobile viewing (images, short video, concise updates). National context: Pew Research Center Mobile Fact Sheet.
• Age-driven platform preference: Younger adults over-index on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while older adults over-index on Facebook; this produces platform segmentation by age in local audiences. Source: Pew (2023).
• Local news discovery via social feeds: Social platforms are common pathways to news and local updates; broader U.S. patterns are tracked by Pew Research Center’s Social Media and News Fact Sheet, which helps contextualize how residents encounter information shared by local outlets and community members.

Decatur County, Tennessee maintains family and associate-related public records primarily through state and county offices. Vital records (birth and death certificates) are created and preserved under the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, with certified copies generally issued through county health departments and the state. The county point of service is the Tennessee Department of Health – Decatur County Health Department, while statewide ordering and eligibility rules are published by the Tennessee Vital Records program. Adoption records in Tennessee are typically sealed and managed through courts and state vital records processes; access is restricted by statute and court order.

Marriage records are commonly recorded by the county clerk; Decatur County access points are listed on the Decatur County, Tennessee website (Clerk offices and contact information). Divorce and other family-related court filings are maintained by the Decatur County court clerk(s) and are accessed in person through the relevant clerk’s office; some case information may be available through Tennessee’s statewide court portal, Tennessee Courts – Clerk information.

Public databases vary by record type. Most vital records remain restricted to eligible requesters for defined time periods, while many court records are public but may be redacted or sealed to protect minors, victims, and sensitive personal identifiers.

Types of records available

Marriage records

• Marriage license applications and issued licenses: Created when a couple applies for a license in Decatur County and the license is issued by the county.
• Marriage certificates/returns: The completed license (often called the “return”) is typically signed by the officiant and filed back with the county to document that the marriage was performed.
• Certified and non-certified copies: Local offices commonly provide certified copies for legal purposes and informational (non-certified) copies for research, subject to office policy and state rules.

Divorce records

• Divorce case files: Court records documenting the divorce proceeding, including pleadings, motions, orders, and related filings.
• Final decree of divorce: The court’s final judgment ending the marriage and stating the terms approved or ordered by the court.
• Vital record (divorce certificate record): A statewide vital-record index/abstract may exist separate from the full court file, maintained by the Tennessee Office of Vital Records (not a substitute for the court decree).

Annulment records

• Annulment case files and final orders: Court records for proceedings declaring a marriage void or voidable under Tennessee law. Annulments are maintained as civil court cases and may be less common than divorces.

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Where records are filed and how they can be accessed

Marriage records (county level)

• Filed with: Decatur County Clerk (marriage license issuance and recording/filing of the completed license/return).
• Access: Requests are typically made through the County Clerk’s office for copies and certification. Older marriage records may also be available through archives or microfilm/online collections held by state repositories or genealogical organizations, depending on coverage.

Divorce and annulment records (court level)

• Filed with: Decatur County Circuit Court Clerk and/or Chancery Court Clerk (the clerk of the court where the case was filed maintains the case record and final decree/order).
• Access: Copies of filings and certified copies of final decrees/orders are requested from the clerk of the court that handled the matter. Index access and copy procedures vary by office and by record age.

State-level vital records (summary records)

• Maintained by: Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records (statewide vital records, including marriage and divorce data as collected by the state).
• Access: State-issued certificates/verification are requested through the Tennessee Office of Vital Records, subject to identity and eligibility requirements under Tennessee law and administrative rules.

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Typical information included in these records

Marriage licenses and certificates/returns

Common fields include:

• Full names of both parties (including maiden name where applicable)
• Date and place of marriage (county and sometimes specific location)
• Date the license was issued and license number/book-page reference
• Officiant name and title, and the date of ceremony
• Ages/birthdates, birthplaces, and current residences (varies by time period and form version)
• Parents’ names may appear on some forms, depending on era and county/state form requirements

Divorce decrees and case files

Common contents include:

• Court name, case number, filing date, and names of parties
• Grounds/allegations as pleaded (Tennessee statutory grounds or no-fault grounds as applicable)
• Final decree date and judge’s signature
• Provisions addressing:
  • Division of marital property and debts
  • Spousal support (alimony), if awarded or reserved
  • Child custody, visitation, child support, and income withholding, when applicable
  • Restoration of a prior surname, when requested and granted
• Related documents may include marital dissolution agreements, parenting plans, financial statements, and orders on motions

Annulment orders and case files

Common contents include:

• Court name, case number, parties, and filing and order dates
• Legal basis for annulment as pleaded and found by the court
• Orders addressing children (parenting plan/support) when relevant
• Disposition of property or related relief, as ordered

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Privacy or legal restrictions

• Marriage records: In Tennessee, marriage records are generally treated as public records, though access practices can vary for certified copies and identity verification. Some information (such as Social Security numbers or other sensitive identifiers) is typically excluded from public copies or redacted.
• Divorce and annulment court records: Court filings and decrees are generally public records, but courts may seal or restrict access to specific documents or information by order (commonly involving minors, sensitive financial data, or protective-order-related matters). Redaction rules may apply to personal identifiers.
• State vital records: State-issued marriage and divorce certificates/verification are subject to Tennessee Department of Health rules, including eligibility, identification, and fee requirements. The state vital-record document may provide an abstracted record rather than the full court file (for divorces/annulments).
• Certified copies: Certified copies used for legal purposes are commonly issued only by the custodian office (County Clerk for marriage records; the appropriate Court Clerk for divorce/annulment decrees; the Tennessee Office of Vital Records for state vital records), and offices may require specific request formats and identification consistent with Tennessee law and administrative practice.

Decatur County is a rural county in west–middle Tennessee along the Tennessee River, with a county seat in Decaturville and the largest city in Parsons. The community context is characterized by low population density, a large share of owner-occupied single-family housing, and a local economy tied to public services, small manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and river- and lake-related recreation.

Education Indicators

Public schools (count and names)

Public K–12 education is provided by the Decatur County School System. The district’s schools commonly listed for the county include:

• Decatur County High School (Decaturville)
• Decatur County Middle School (Decaturville)
• Parsons Elementary School (Parsons)
• Scotts Hill School (Scotts Hill)

School lists and profiles are maintained through the district and state reporting; the most authoritative references are the Decatur County School System and the Tennessee Department of Education.

Student–teacher ratios and graduation rates

• A single, countywide student–teacher ratio is not consistently published in one place for the district; commonly used public profiles (state and federal datasets) should be treated as the primary sources for the latest ratio and staffing measures.
• The most comparable graduation-rate reporting for Tennessee districts is provided in state accountability publications and district report cards. The Tennessee education data portal is the standard reference for the most recent cohort graduation rate and related indicators.

Data note: When a current district-level student–teacher ratio or graduation rate is not directly available in a single public summary, the recommended proxy is the most recent Tennessee district report card and state cohort graduation-rate tables, which are updated on an annual cycle.

Adult educational attainment

Adult educational attainment is typically reported via the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). The most recent ACS 5‑year profile (used for small counties) is available through data.census.gov and provides:

• Share of adults (25+) with at least a high school diploma
• Share of adults (25+) with a bachelor’s degree or higher

In Decatur County, adult attainment generally reflects a rural Tennessee pattern: a high share with high school completion, and a comparatively smaller share with bachelor’s degrees or higher than Tennessee’s metropolitan counties. The ACS table “Educational Attainment” is the standard source for the current percentages.

Notable programs (STEM, CTE, AP/dual enrollment)

District offerings in Tennessee commonly include:

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways aligned to state programs of study (e.g., industry-aligned electives and work-based learning)
• Access to dual enrollment opportunities through Tennessee higher-education partners (varies by year and staffing)
• Advanced coursework availability (AP course catalogs vary by small-district capacity)

The definitive program inventory is maintained locally through district and school course catalogs and state CTE reporting (see the Tennessee CTE overview).

School safety measures and counseling resources

Tennessee public schools generally implement:

• Controlled entry procedures, visitor management, and safety drills aligned with state guidance
• School counseling services (often one or more counselors at secondary grades; coverage varies by enrollment)
• Behavioral health supports coordinated through district student services and community providers

District-specific safety plans and counseling staffing are typically summarized in board policies and school handbooks (district publications), with statewide standards and guidance referenced through the Tennessee Safe Schools resources.

Employment and Economic Conditions

Unemployment rate (most recent year available)

Unemployment is reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). The most current county rate (monthly and annual averages) is available via the BLS LAUS program and Tennessee labor-market dashboards. For Decatur County, unemployment typically tracks rural West Tennessee norms, with fluctuations driven by seasonal service work and broader state/national cycles.

Data note: The most recent annual average unemployment rate should be taken directly from BLS LAUS tables for Decatur County (county FIPS-based series), as those values update monthly.

Major industries and employment sectors

The county’s employment base is commonly concentrated in:

• Educational services and public administration (school system and county/municipal government)
• Healthcare and social assistance (clinics, long-term care, related services)
• Retail trade and accommodation/food services (especially around Parsons and highway corridors)
• Manufacturing and construction (smaller plants, trades, and contracting)
• Agriculture/forestry and recreation-related services (given the Tennessee River/Lake access)

County industry mix and employment levels are best quantified via the Census Bureau’s LEHD/OnTheMap and ACS “Industry by Occupation” profiles.

Common occupations and workforce breakdown

Occupational composition in small rural counties commonly emphasizes:

• Service occupations (food service, personal care, protective services)
• Office/administrative support
• Production, transportation, and material moving
• Construction and extraction
• Education and healthcare support roles

The ACS “Occupation” tables (5‑year estimates) provide the county’s most current percentage breakdown by occupation group.

Commuting patterns and mean commute time

Commuting patterns are reported in ACS “Commuting (Journey to Work)” tables:

• Mean travel time to work is typically lower than large metro commutes but can be elevated by cross-county travel to regional job centers.
• Rural commuting often includes a high share of driving alone and limited public transportation usage.

The county’s mean commute time and mode split are available through ACS commuting tables (S0801/S0802 series).

Local employment vs. out-of-county work

Decatur County’s labor market generally includes a notable share of residents commuting to adjacent counties for higher-wage or specialized employment, while local jobs are concentrated in public services, healthcare, retail, and smaller manufacturing. The most direct measurement is provided by OnTheMap commuter flows, which reports:

• Employed residents working inside vs. outside the county
• In-commuters and out-commuters
• Major origin/destination counties for work trips

Housing and Real Estate

Homeownership rate and rental share

Homeownership and rental share are reported in the ACS “Tenure” tables. Decatur County typically exhibits:

• A high owner-occupied share (common in rural Tennessee counties)
• A smaller rental market concentrated in Parsons and near commercial corridors

The latest percentages are available through the ACS housing profile at data.census.gov.

Median property values and recent trends

• Median owner-occupied home value is reported by ACS and is typically below Tennessee’s metro-area medians.
• Recent trends across rural Tennessee have generally included rising values since 2020, with moderation following interest-rate increases; county-specific change is best read from multi-year ACS series and local sales data.

County value levels and time-series context are available from ACS “Value” tables and the HUD income and housing datasets for related affordability measures.

Data note: ACS home values are survey-based and lag market conditions; local multiple listing service (MLS) summaries are a closer proxy for current prices but are not always publicly accessible in a consistent countywide series.

Typical rent prices

Median gross rent is reported by ACS. The rental market is commonly:

• More limited in supply than in metro counties
• Concentrated in small apartment properties and single-family rentals

Current median gross rent and rent distribution (including rent as a share of income) are available in ACS “Gross Rent” tables at data.census.gov.

Types of housing

Housing stock in Decatur County is predominantly:

• Detached single-family homes on larger lots
• Manufactured housing (a common component of rural housing supply)
• Small multifamily buildings and scattered rentals in Parsons and nearby commercial areas
• Rural acreage/lots, including properties oriented to the Tennessee River and recreational access

These characteristics are reflected in ACS “Units in Structure” and “Year Structure Built” tables.

Neighborhood characteristics (proximity to schools or amenities)

• Parsons functions as the county’s primary service center, with closer access to schools, groceries, healthcare, and local employers.
• Decaturville and Scotts Hill areas provide smaller community settings with longer average drive times to concentrated services.
• River- and lake-adjacent areas include seasonal/recreational housing and cabins, with amenity access tied to marinas, parks, and highway corridors.

Property tax overview (average rate and typical homeowner cost)

Property taxes in Tennessee are administered locally and depend on assessed value, classification (residential vs. other), and local tax rates set by county/municipal governments. For Decatur County:

• The effective tax burden for a typical homeowner is most directly approximated using ACS “Real Estate Taxes” (median annual real estate taxes paid), which reflects what households report paying in a recent year.
• The authoritative tax rate schedules and assessment practices are maintained by county offices and the Tennessee Comptroller’s oversight framework; general guidance is summarized by the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.

Data note: A single “average rate” can be misleading because city taxes, assessment ratios, and reappraisal cycles affect bills. Median taxes paid (ACS) provides a more comparable countywide summary than nominal rates alone.