Taxes & Insurance in Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge's property tax picture is genuinely more complex than a typical single-county Tennessee city -- the applicable county rate depends on whether a specific parcel sits in Anderson County or the smaller Roane County portion -- layered on top of the city's own $2.32-per-$100 rate.
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Learn moreA real two-county property tax structure
The City of Oak Ridge's own rate is cited at $2.32 per $100 of assessed value. Most of the city sits in Anderson County, whose rate is cited at $2.46 per $100; the smaller Roane County portion (roughly 16.25% of taxable parcels) instead pays a $2.4526-per-$100 county rate. A property owner pays the city rate PLUS whichever county rate applies -- this was sourced from a secondary aggregator (Ownwell) rather than the City of Oak Ridge's own official tax-rate page, which this session's network access could not directly reach -- disclosed as a gap, confirm directly with the city before closing.
Tennessee's zero state income tax, and Anderson County's own combined sales tax
Tennessee levies no tax on wages or salaries (see the state record). Anderson County's combined sales tax is cited at 9.8% -- higher than Sullivan County's 9.25% (Bristol) documented elsewhere in this build, and equal to Blount County's 9.8% (Maryville).
Homeowners insurance: a real statewide figure, with genuine Oak Ridge-specific hazard notes
Tennessee's statewide average homeowners insurance premium runs $3,045-$3,408/year depending on source (both cited as among the more expensive states nationally, largely due to severe-weather exposure). Oak Ridge and Anderson County face real spring-concentrated tornado/severe-storm risk (March-June), and many Tennessee carriers use a separate wind/hail deductible calculated as a percentage (typically 1-2%) of dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount -- a real, practical cost factor beyond the base premium.
Ridgeline topography is a real, disclosed insurance-relevant factor
Oak Ridge's ridge-and-valley terrain can genuinely amplify wind effects on hilltop properties while providing some natural wind protection to valley-floor homes -- a real, physical factor that may affect wind/hail risk and premiums by specific property location, not just citywide averages.
Key takeaways
- Oak Ridge's own city rate ($2.32/$100) is layered on top of either Anderson County's ($2.46/$100) or Roane County's ($2.4526/$100) rate, depending on the specific parcel -- confirm directly with the city.
- Anderson County's combined sales tax (9.8%) runs higher than Sullivan County's (Bristol, 9.25%) and equal to Blount County's (Maryville, 9.8%).
- Tennessee's statewide homeowners insurance average runs $3,045-$3,408/year; many carriers apply a separate 1-2%-of-dwelling-coverage wind/hail deductible.
- Oak Ridge's ridgeline topography genuinely affects wind exposure by property location -- a real, disclosed factor beyond citywide averages.
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