AcreScore β€” What's this?
74/ 100

Giles County, TN

Southern Middle Tennessee charm near the Alabama border with strong barndominium potential

πŸ“Š74/100AcreScore
πŸ’°$5KLand $/acre
🏠$175KHome Value
πŸ‘₯30,300Population
πŸ“ˆ+2.1%Growth (10yr)
🌊9%Flood RiskLow
🌑️Mixed HumidClimateZone 4A

πŸ—οΈ Can You Build Here?

Giles County offers rolling Middle Tennessee farmland along the Alabama border, with Pulaski as a charming county seat. The terrain provides scenic building sites at affordable prices with good road access.

ZoneMin LotBarndo OK?
Agricultural2 acresβœ… Yes
Rural Residential1 acreβœ… Yes
Residential (Pulaski)0.5 acre⚠️ Conditional

Giles County has limited zoning outside Pulaski, with agricultural and rural areas very permissive toward barndominiums and metal buildings.

πŸ“‹ What Permits Do You Need?

Tennessee allows owner-builders to act as their own general contractor for personal residences. Licensed subs needed for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.

Required Permits

  • β€’ Building permit application
  • β€’ Site plan with setbacks
  • β€’ Septic permit (TN Dept of Environment)
  • β€’ Electrical permit
  • β€’ Driveway / road access permit

Permit Office

Giles County Building Department 1 Public Square, Pulaski, TN 38478 Phone: (931) 363-5300 Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

🌊 What's the Flood & Soil Risk?

Flood risk in Giles County is moderate, concentrated along Richland Creek and the Elk River. The rolling terrain provides ample high-ground building sites well above any flood-prone areas.

9%
In Flood Zone
Good
Soil Drainage
Good
Septic Viability

Source: FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer, USDA Web Soil Survey

πŸ’° What Does It Cost?

Construction costs are below state average, benefiting from affordable land and access to labor from both the Pulaski area and nearby Huntsville, Alabama.

$5K
Median $/acre
$175K
Median Home Value
$100–165
Build Cost $/sqft
0.56%
Property Tax Rate

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, Giles County Assessor

πŸ”οΈ Why People Love Living Here

Giles County combines historic Southern charm with practical rural living. Pulaski's beautiful courthouse square, affordable cost of living, and proximity to Huntsville, Alabama's job market create an appealing package.

πŸ›οΈ

Historic Pulaski

A beautifully preserved courthouse square with local shops, restaurants, and genuine small-town character.

🌾

Farmland Beauty

Rolling pastures and crop fields create a pastoral landscape ideal for barndominium living.

πŸš—

Huntsville Access

Just 35 miles from Huntsville, AL's booming job market in aerospace, defense, and technology.

At a Glance

Population~30,300
10-Year Growth2.1%
County SeatPulaski
State Income TaxNone
ClimateZone 4A – Mixed Humid

How Close Is Everything?

Huntsville, AL40 min
Nashville, TN1.3 hr
Columbia, TN35 min
Lawrenceburg, TN25 min
Murfreesboro, TN1.3 hr

πŸ’§ Utilities & Infrastructure

Giles County has solid utility infrastructure anchored by Pulaski Electric System, with rural cooperatives serving the outlying areas.

ElectricPulaski Electric System
Electric (Rural)Duck River Electric
WaterPulaski Water & Sewer
Internet/FiberUnited Communications
Cable/InternetCharter Spectrum
SewerPrivate Septic

🏦 Financing & Incentives

USDA Rural Development loans are available throughout most of Giles County, making zero-down barndominium financing a strong option.

βœ… USDA Eligible
Most areas outside Pulaski city limits qualify for USDA Rural Development financing.
FHA / VA
Available county-wide
0.56%
Property tax rate

Check USDA eligibility for your address β†’

πŸ“ Nearby Counties

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I commute to Huntsville from Giles County?
Yes. Pulaski is about 35 miles from Huntsville via US-31, making it a very feasible daily commute with Tennessee's lower cost of living.
Is Giles County good for barndominiums?
Excellent. Affordable land, minimal rural zoning, USDA eligibility, and a score of 74 make it one of the better options in Middle Tennessee.
What's the property tax situation?
Property taxes are low at about 0.56%, and Tennessee has no state income tax, keeping overall tax burden very manageable.
How's the internet?
United Communications is expanding fiber service, and Charter Spectrum provides cable internet in more populated areas.