One of the fastest-growing counties in Tennessee, Williamson serves as both a bedroom community for Nashville and a center of economic activity. That helps it secure the highest median income in the state.
A mix of rural areas, historic towns and suburban communities, Williamson is also home to the headquarters of Nissan North America, as well as Tractor Supply Company and Mars Petcare. Entrepreneurs make up 20% of the workforce, boasts the county's Office of Economic Development.
Unemployment is only 5.4%, compared to 7.1% statewide. Some 6.6% of residents are in poverty, while 18% are statewide.
At the other end of the spectrum is Hardeman, which is in a remote southwest corner of the state on the border of Mississippi. A rural area, it doesn't have easy access to markets, said Bill Fox, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee.
Known as the hardwood capital of the state, Hardeman depends on a mixture of light manufacturing, wood milling and agriculture, according to the county Chamber of Commerce. It's also popular with hunters and nature lovers.
That hasn't translated into many economic opportunities for residents. The county's unemployment rate is 10.2% and its poverty rate is 27.3%.
