Is La Follette Safe, Pros and cons of living in La Follette
La Follette, Tennessee, offers a glimpse into small-town American life, characterized by its natural surroundings and a slower pace. Nestled in Campbell County, it presents a blend of affordability and a close-knit community atmosphere that appeals to those seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of larger urban centers.
The town’s setting provides access to outdoor recreation, with nearby natural attractions contributing to its appeal. This environment fosters a sense of community, where neighbors often know each other and local events play a significant role in social life. La Follette is a place where the rhythm of life is set by the seasons and community traditions.
Is it Safe to Live in La Follette?
When considering a move to La Follette, understanding the safety of the community is paramount. The town’s overall crime rate is reported to be lower than the national average. Specifically, La Follette’s crime rate is 44% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents (as reported by AreaVibes). This includes a lower rate of violent crimes, which are 11% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
While the overall statistics are encouraging, safety can vary by neighborhood. La Follette has a crime rate of 41.53 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Residents often consider the east part of the city to be the safest, while other areas may experience higher crime incidents (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). It is advisable to research specific neighborhoods further when considering relocation.
Crime Statistics
La Follette’s crime data indicates a generally lower incidence of crime compared to national figures. The violent crime rate is 3 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Property crime, which includes theft and vehicle theft, has a rate of 9 per one thousand population (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
The chance of becoming a victim of any crime in La Follette is 1 in 84 (as reported by AreaVibes). Year-over-year crime in La Follette has decreased by 7% (as reported by AreaVibes), suggesting a positive trend in community safety efforts. The town has a crime safety grade of ‘A’ as of 2026, with the overall crime rate being 50% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit).
Cost of Living in La Follette
La Follette is recognized for its affordability, making it an attractive option for individuals and families looking to manage their expenses. The cost of living in La Follette, TN is 16% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This overall affordability extends to various aspects of daily life, including housing, groceries, and transportation.
The town’s cost of living is also lower than the state average, being 9% lower than the Tennessee average (as reported by AreaVibes). This economic advantage is a significant draw for those seeking a more budget-friendly lifestyle without compromising on essential services and amenities. The cost of living score is calculated using weighted estimates across major expense categories, including housing, groceries, transportation, healthcare, utilities, and lifestyle (as reported by AreaVibes).
Housing Costs
Housing is a key component of La Follette’s affordability. The median home value in La Follette is $138,900 (as reported by Data USA). This is considerably lower than the national median property value of $332,700 (as reported by Data USA).
Rental prices are also notably low. The median monthly rent in La Follette is $507 (as reported by Livability.com). Apartments are the most affordable rental option, averaging $888 per month, while houses average $1,300 per month (as reported by Trulia). The cost of housing in La Follette is 45% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Utilities and Groceries
Beyond housing, other daily expenses in La Follette are also budget-friendly. Food costs in La Follette are more affordable than the average in the United States (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Similarly, utilities and miscellaneous expenses are also lower than the national average (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute).
The cost of groceries in La Follette is 5% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). This contributes to a lower overall cost of living, allowing residents to allocate more of their budget to other needs or savings.
Job Market and Economy
La Follette’s job market and economic landscape offer insights into employment opportunities within the area. The average salary for jobs in La Follette, Tennessee, is $61,908 per year (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). This figure represents an hourly rate of $30 (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).
However, it is important to note that the unemployment rate in La Follette is significantly higher than the national average. The unemployment rate in La Follette is 184% higher than the national average (as reported by ERI Employment Research Institute). This indicates a more challenging job market compared to many other areas.
Major Employers
While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided search results, the economic structure of smaller towns like La Follette often relies on a mix of local businesses, manufacturing, and services. Healthcare and education sectors also typically provide employment opportunities in such communities. Information regarding specific large-scale employers would require further localized research.
The median household income in La Follette is $43,319 (as reported by Livability.com). This median income is lower than the national average, reflecting the economic conditions and job market dynamics within the town.
Climate and Weather
La Follette experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons, offering a varied weather experience throughout the year. The town has long, warm, and muggy summers, with winters that are short, very cold, and wet (as reported by Weather Spark). The area is partly cloudy year-round.
Temperatures typically range from 29°F to 86°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 14°F or exceeding 92°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hottest month is July, with average highs of 86°F and lows of 66°F, while January is the coldest, with average highs of 46°F and lows of 29°F (as reported by Weather Spark).
Rainfall and Precipitation
La Follette receives an average of 52 inches of rainfall annually (as reported by Livability.com). The wet season spans from March to August, with July seeing the most rainfall, averaging 13.4 days with precipitation (as reported by Weather Spark). October is typically the driest month, with an average of 2.5 inches of rain (as reported by Weather Spark).
Snowfall is moderate, with an average of 7 inches annually (as reported by Livability.com). The snowy period usually occurs from December to February, with January experiencing the most snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education and Schools
The educational landscape in La Follette is served by the Campbell County School District. The district includes several schools catering to different grade levels, aiming to provide educational opportunities for the community’s youth.
La Follette Elementary School has an overall Niche grade of ‘A-‘ and serves students in grades PK-6, with a student-teacher ratio of 10:1 (as reported by Niche). La Follette Middle School serves grades 6-8 and has a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, though its overall testing rank is in the bottom 50% in Tennessee (as reported by Niche).
School Performance
School performance in La Follette shows a mixed picture. La Follette Elementary School reports that 36% of students are proficient in math and 34% in reading (as reported by Niche). La Follette Middle School faces challenges, with math and reading proficiency rates at 13% and 11% respectively, both in the bottom 50% for Tennessee (as reported by Niche).
Campbell County Comprehensive High School has a rating of 3.24 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). These ratings provide a basis for understanding the educational environment available to families in La Follette.
Demographics
La Follette is home to a population of approximately 7,273 residents (as reported by Data USA). The town’s demographic makeup is predominantly White, with White (Non-Hispanic) residents comprising about 92.2% of the population (as reported by Point2Homes). Other racial groups are present in smaller percentages, including those of Two or More Races.
The median age in La Follette is 38.2 years (as reported by World Population Review). The population consists of about 16.7% children under 15, with adults between 25 and 44 making up 27% of the population, and those aged 65 or older representing approximately 19.9% (as reported by Point2Homes).
Household and Income Data
La Follette has around 3,350 households, with an average of two members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income is $37,581 (as reported by World Population Review). A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, with 28.21% of residents falling into this category (as reported by World Population Review).
For households led by residents aged 25 to 44, the median income is $58,005. In contrast, households led by individuals over 65 report a median income of $27,558 (as reported by Point2Homes). The poverty rate in La Follette is 84% higher than the national average (as reported by ERI Employment Research Institute).