The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 38481 sells for about $245,000, or $142 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 68 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $628 a month.
ZIP 38481 — Saint Joseph
The housing market in 38481 remains stable with low inventory and modest price appreciation. Demand is driven by local buyers seeking affordable rural living, though the limited supply keeps sales volume low.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with a lower cost of living, provided they are comfortable with a car-dependent commute.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 68 days on market with 5.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
13% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 0.7% · poverty 16.6% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.5%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 38481, Lawrence County TN
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Crime rates in the St. Joseph area are generally lower than the national average, with property crime being the primary concern in this rural setting.
Schools serving this area are part of the Lawrence County School District, which provides standard public education services for a rural student population.
The area is subject to standard regional risks including severe thunderstorms and occasional high winds, with localized flood risks near creek beds.
Economic momentum is modest, driven primarily by local agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, and service-sector employment in nearby Lawrenceburg.
Property taxes are assessed by Lawrence County based on a state-mandated appraisal cycle; there are no municipal income taxes, and homestead exemptions are available for qualifying residents.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents typically driving to Lawrenceburg or across the state line into Alabama for employment.
Recreation is centered on outdoor activities, including access to local parks, fishing in nearby waterways, and community-focused events in St. Joseph.
The rental market is limited, consisting mostly of single-family homes with low turnover and minimal institutional investor presence.
The local economy is anchored by agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, with many residents commuting to larger employment hubs in Lawrence County.
Transportation is entirely reliant on private vehicles, with no public transit infrastructure available in this rural ZIP code.
Development is primarily limited to individual residential construction and small-scale commercial improvements.
The Lawrence County Assessor's office manages property valuations, typically conducting reappraisals on a multi-year cycle.
Parcels are subject to Lawrence County property taxes and the Lawrence County School District levy.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional weather patterns, including wind and hail risk common in Middle Tennessee.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates for ZCTA 38481.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Local community park providing green space and recreational facilities.
Popular local destination for fishing and outdoor recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.