As has been true throughout America’s COVID-19 history, every state—and every county therein—has its own COVID-19 story, driven by local policies and behaviors. The United States as of August 31 had reached 639,490 COVID-19-related deaths and 39.1 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with the highest COVID-19 infection rates in Tennessee using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Counties are ranked by the highest infection rate per 100k residents within the past week as of August 30, 2021. Cumulative cases per 100k served as a tiebreaker Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 infection rates in your state.
#50. Sullivan County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 661 (1,047 new cases, +28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 12,987 (20,565 total cases)
— 13.2% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 213 (338 total deaths)
— 9.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 44.7% (70,846 fully vaccinated)
— 7.7% higher vaccination rate than Tennessee
#49. Grundy County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 670 (90 new cases, +88% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,633 (2,099 total cases)
— 4.5% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 268 (36 total deaths)
— 37.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 20.0% (2,682 fully vaccinated)
— 51.8% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#48. Lincoln County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 672 (231 new cases, -10% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,431 (5,303 total cases)
— 3.2% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 204 (70 total deaths)
— 4.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.9% (10,970 fully vaccinated)
— 23.1% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#47. Robertson County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 703 (505 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,982 (11,477 total cases)
— 6.8% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 203 (146 total deaths)
— 4.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.8% (27,841 fully vaccinated)
— 6.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#46. Tipton County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 722 (445 new cases, +27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,987 (9,232 total cases)
— 0.2% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 179 (110 total deaths)
— 8.2% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 29.0% (17,841 fully vaccinated)
— 30.1% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#45. Greene County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 727 (502 new cases, +13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,944 (9,631 total cases)
— 6.8% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 253 (175 total deaths)
— 29.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 37.1% (25,656 fully vaccinated)
— 10.6% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#44. Hickman County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 727 (183 new cases, -13% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,004 (3,526 total cases)
— 6.4% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (49 total deaths)
— 0.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.2% (7,846 fully vaccinated)
— 24.8% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#43. Hamblen County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 745 (484 new cases, +14% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,109 (10,460 total cases)
— 7.7% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 279 (181 total deaths)
— 43.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 32.6% (21,168 fully vaccinated)
— 21.4% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#42. Bradley County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 754 (815 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,387 (17,716 total cases)
— 9.5% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 149 (161 total deaths)
— 23.6% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.3% (33,867 fully vaccinated)
— 24.6% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#41. Roane County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 755 (403 new cases, +22% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,368 (7,670 total cases)
— 4.0% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 227 (121 total deaths)
— 16.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.1% (18,744 fully vaccinated)
— 15.4% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#40. McMinn County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 764 (411 new cases, +55% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,732 (7,925 total cases)
— 1.5% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 204 (110 total deaths)
— 4.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.5% (16,385 fully vaccinated)
— 26.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#39. Cocke County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 764 (275 new cases, -27% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,595 (5,615 total cases)
— 4.3% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 289 (104 total deaths)
— 48.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 40.3% (14,510 fully vaccinated)
— 2.9% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#38. Warren County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 766 (316 new cases, +116% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,321 (6,324 total cases)
— 2.4% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 220 (91 total deaths)
— 12.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.3% (12,510 fully vaccinated)
— 27.0% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#37. Grainger County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 768 (179 new cases, +35% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,675 (3,189 total cases)
— 8.6% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 223 (52 total deaths)
— 14.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 39.0% (9,101 fully vaccinated)
— 6.0% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#36. Cumberland County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 770 (466 new cases, +36% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,807 (8,356 total cases)
— 7.7% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 253 (153 total deaths)
— 29.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 38.7% (23,407 fully vaccinated)
— 6.7% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#35. Scott County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 770 (170 new cases, +98% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,408 (3,621 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 227 (50 total deaths)
— 16.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 27.6% (6,091 fully vaccinated)
— 33.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#34. Houston County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 780 (64 new cases, -37% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,498 (1,435 total cases)
— 17.0% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 427 (35 total deaths)
— 119.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.8% (2,525 fully vaccinated)
— 25.8% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#33. Carter County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 787 (444 new cases, +11% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,346 (8,090 total cases)
— 4.1% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 314 (177 total deaths)
— 61.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 32.0% (18,036 fully vaccinated)
— 22.9% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#32. Meigs County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 789 (98 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,685 (1,700 total cases)
— 8.5% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 193 (24 total deaths)
— 1.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 52.9% (6,576 fully vaccinated)
— 27.5% higher vaccination rate than Tennessee
#31. Jackson County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 798 (94 new cases, +47% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,474 (1,588 total cases)
— 9.9% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 314 (37 total deaths)
— 61.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 25.8% (3,043 fully vaccinated)
— 37.8% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#30. Madison County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 802 (786 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,721 (14,424 total cases)
— 1.6% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 267 (262 total deaths)
— 36.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 42.0% (41,129 fully vaccinated)
— 1.2% higher vaccination rate than Tennessee
#29. Unicoi County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 805 (144 new cases, +115% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,409 (2,398 total cases)
— 10.4% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 302 (54 total deaths)
— 54.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 43.4% (7,757 fully vaccinated)
— 4.6% higher vaccination rate than Tennessee
#28. Franklin County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 824 (348 new cases, +52% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,881 (6,281 total cases)
— 0.5% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 220 (93 total deaths)
— 12.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.1% (13,131 fully vaccinated)
— 25.1% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#27. Wayne County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 828 (138 new cases, +39% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,254 (3,377 total cases)
— 35.4% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 222 (37 total deaths)
— 13.8% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.9% (5,312 fully vaccinated)
— 23.1% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#26. Obion County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 831 (250 new cases, +60% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,600 (5,292 total cases)
— 17.7% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 329 (99 total deaths)
— 68.7% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 28.5% (8,580 fully vaccinated)
— 31.3% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#25. Hardeman County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 842 (211 new cases, +23% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,986 (4,255 total cases)
— 13.6% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (66 total deaths)
— 34.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.3% (8,591 fully vaccinated)
— 17.3% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#24. DeKalb County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 849 (174 new cases, +63% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,071 (3,293 total cases)
— 7.4% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 283 (58 total deaths)
— 45.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 30.8% (6,305 fully vaccinated)
— 25.8% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#23. Chester County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 850 (147 new cases, +4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,904 (2,751 total cases)
— 6.3% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 312 (54 total deaths)
— 60.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 26.9% (4,657 fully vaccinated)
— 35.2% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#22. Lawrence County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 854 (377 new cases, +41% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,354 (7,219 total cases)
— 9.3% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 233 (103 total deaths)
— 19.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 27.3% (12,068 fully vaccinated)
— 34.2% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#21. Smith County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 863 (174 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,416 (3,309 total cases)
— 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 203 (41 total deaths)
— 4.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 24.5% (4,933 fully vaccinated)
— 41.0% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#20. Henry County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 869 (281 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 13,427 (4,343 total cases)
— 10.2% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 235 (76 total deaths)
— 20.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.6% (11,835 fully vaccinated)
— 11.8% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#19. Coffee County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 869 (491 new cases, +28% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,521 (8,207 total cases)
— 2.9% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 223 (126 total deaths)
— 14.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.0% (19,197 fully vaccinated)
— 18.1% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#18. Decatur County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 875 (102 new cases, +31% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,514 (1,926 total cases)
— 10.4% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 334 (39 total deaths)
— 71.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 29.1% (3,395 fully vaccinated)
— 29.9% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#17. Overton County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 886 (197 new cases, +34% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,944 (3,546 total cases)
— 6.6% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 283 (63 total deaths)
— 45.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 27.5% (6,125 fully vaccinated)
— 33.7% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#16. Hancock County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 891 (59 new cases, +74% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 11,934 (790 total cases)
— 20.2% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 196 (13 total deaths)
— 0.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 25.2% (1,668 fully vaccinated)
— 39.3% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#15. Sequatchie County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 925 (139 new cases, +96% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,282 (2,146 total cases)
— 4.5% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 200 (30 total deaths)
— 2.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 24.7% (3,710 fully vaccinated)
— 40.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#14. McNairy County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 926 (238 new cases, +18% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,167 (3,640 total cases)
— 5.3% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 226 (58 total deaths)
— 15.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 36.5% (9,378 fully vaccinated)
— 12.0% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#13. Carroll County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 933 (259 new cases, +42% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,835 (4,397 total cases)
— 5.9% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 313 (87 total deaths)
— 60.5% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 35.5% (9,855 fully vaccinated)
— 14.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#12. Rhea County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 965 (320 new cases, +19% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,022 (5,314 total cases)
— 7.1% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 250 (83 total deaths)
— 28.2% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 33.4% (11,083 fully vaccinated)
— 19.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#11. Gibson County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,036 (509 new cases, 0% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,335 (8,517 total cases)
— 15.9% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 322 (158 total deaths)
— 65.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 32.6% (15,998 fully vaccinated)
— 21.4% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#10. Dyer County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,066 (396 new cases, +45% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,654 (6,560 total cases)
— 18.0% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 304 (113 total deaths)
— 55.9% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 28.0% (10,410 fully vaccinated)
— 32.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#9. Monroe County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,068 (497 new cases, +47% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,585 (7,254 total cases)
— 4.2% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 219 (102 total deaths)
— 12.3% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 33.8% (15,750 fully vaccinated)
— 18.6% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#8. Lauderdale County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,081 (277 new cases, -4% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,100 (4,127 total cases)
— 7.6% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 191 (49 total deaths)
— 2.1% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 27.6% (7,069 fully vaccinated)
— 33.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#7. Macon County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,089 (268 new cases, +74% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,694 (4,353 total cases)
— 18.3% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 321 (79 total deaths)
— 64.6% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 23.2% (5,703 fully vaccinated)
— 44.1% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#6. Marshall County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,111 (382 new cases, +38% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 15,596 (5,361 total cases)
— 4.3% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 195 (67 total deaths)
— 0.0% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.6% (10,852 fully vaccinated)
— 23.9% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#5. Hardin County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,127 (289 new cases, +47% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,199 (4,412 total cases)
— 15.0% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 277 (71 total deaths)
— 42.1% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 31.4% (8,063 fully vaccinated)
— 24.3% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#4. Bledsoe County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,142 (172 new cases, +132% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,704 (2,667 total cases)
— 18.4% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 86 (13 total deaths)
— 55.9% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 26.0% (3,918 fully vaccinated)
— 37.3% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#3. Lewis County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,174 (144 new cases, +29% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 16,661 (2,044 total cases)
— 11.4% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 236 (29 total deaths)
— 21.0% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 27.2% (3,332 fully vaccinated)
— 34.5% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#2. Marion County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,339 (387 new cases, +68% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 14,557 (4,208 total cases)
— 2.7% less cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 176 (51 total deaths)
— 9.7% less deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 32.9% (9,522 fully vaccinated)
— 20.7% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
#1. Crockett County, TN
– New cases per 100k in the past week: 1,553 (221 new cases, +21% change from previous week)
– Cumulative cases per 100k: 19,740 (2,809 total cases)
— 32.0% more cases per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Cumulative deaths per 100k: 379 (54 total deaths)
— 94.4% more deaths per 100k residents than Tennessee
– Population that is fully vaccinated: 34.0% (4,835 fully vaccinated)
— 18.1% lower vaccination rate than Tennessee
