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City · 5,144 residents · Hardeman County, Tennessee

Bolivar , Tennessee

In Bolivar, a typical home is worth $150,200 and typical rent is $808 a month. Compared with all of Hardeman County, the typical home value is 23% higher, typical household income is 15% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 15 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $150,200

    23% above the county

    48% below Tennessee

    • Bolivar
    • Hardeman
    • Tennessee

  • Typical rent

    $808a month

    About the same as the county

    32% below Tennessee

    • Bolivar
    • Hardeman
    • Tennessee

  • Typical household income

    $39,028a year

    15% below the county

    44% below Tennessee

    • Bolivar
    • Hardeman
    • Tennessee

  • Households that own their home

    57%

    15 points below the county

    10 points below Tennessee

    • Bolivar
    • Hardeman
    • Tennessee

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Market now, with Zillow data

Zillow data
Typical home value
$148,733
about the same as 12 months ago

From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).

Bolivar is in Hardeman County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Hardeman County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Bolivar apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. Bolivar has the 6th lowest typical household income of the 113 cities in Tennessee with more than 5,000 people ($39,028).

  2. 57% of households in Bolivar own their home, against 72% in Hardeman County.

  3. The typical home in Bolivar is worth $150,200, 23% more than in Hardeman County as a whole ($121,700).

  4. Bolivar has the 7th largest share of rent-burdened renters of the 101 cities in Tennessee with more than 5,000 people (59%).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Bolivar

What homes there are in Bolivar, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

As in Hardeman County, most homes in Bolivar are detached houses (76%).

Year built

By age, homes in Bolivar look like those in Hardeman County: the typical year built is 1981.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

With a mortgage

$1,096 a month

Hardeman County: $1,095 a month

Without a mortgage

$467 a month

Hardeman County: $437 a month

Owners with a mortgage

72%

Hardeman County: 53%

Owning costs about the same in Bolivar as in Hardeman County: with a mortgage, $1,096 a month; without one, $467.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

The typical home value in Bolivar rose 59% since 2015–2019, more than in Hardeman County (35%).

Since 2015–2019, the typical rent in Bolivar rose 33%, more than in Hardeman County (25%).

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureBolivarHardeman CountyTennesseeUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate6.1%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0.9%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate2.2%3.4%
People per household 2.322.392.452.53
Drive alone 70%80%76%69%
Carpool Unreliable estimate9%8%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate0%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%3%
Work from home Unreliable estimate8%13%15%
Other means Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate1%2%
Typical commute Unreliable estimateUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

A household in Bolivar has 2.32 people on average, about the same as in Hardeman County (2.39).

To get to work, 70% of workers in Bolivar drive alone; in Hardeman County, 80%.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Bolivar?

A typical home costs more than the typical income allows

We start with a typical home in Bolivar, worth $150,200, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 37% of the typical household income in Bolivar, which is $39,028 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $51,083 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Hardeman County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Bolivar. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $5,257 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,192

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$147,480
Total interest
$212,188
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,537 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $911 a month

  • Tight

    $911 to $1,171 a month

  • Hard

    more than $1,171 a month

    Your payment · 37%

Compared with the typical household income in Bolivar ($39,028 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,192
Principal & interest$999
Property tax$64
Home insurance$63
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$66

You need at least $5,257 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Bolivar and Hardeman County

Bolivar is in Hardeman County, Tennessee. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Bolivar's own numbers

Typical home value
$150,200
Typical monthly rent
$808
Typical yearly household income
$39,028
Households that own their home
57%
Effective property tax rate
0.51%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Hardeman County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$995
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+54%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
0.7%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Hardeman County.

Everything about Hardeman County

Buying

Buying a home in Bolivar

A typical home in Bolivar is worth $150,200: 23% above the county and 48% below Tennessee. With the typical household income in Bolivar ($39,028 a year), a typical home costs 3.8 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Bolivar 3.8 years
  • Hardeman 2.6 years
  • Tennessee 4.1 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Hardeman County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Hardeman County rose 78% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Hardeman County.

Period County Tennessee U.S.
Last year (2025) +4.0% +2.4% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +54% +60% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +78% +114% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Bolivar next to Hardeman County, Tennessee and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Bolivar $150,200
  • Hardeman $121,700
  • Tennessee $286,700
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Bolivar $808
  • Hardeman $812
  • Tennessee $1,189
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Bolivar $39,028
  • Hardeman $46,069
  • Tennessee $69,595
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Bolivar next to Hardeman County and Tennessee
Measure Bolivar Hardeman County Tennessee U.S.
Typical home value $150,200 $121,700 $286,700 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $808 $812 $1,189 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $39,028 $46,069 $69,595 $80,734
Households that own their home 57% 72% 67% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $771 $764 $1,442 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 0.51% 0.63% 0.5% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 59% 55% 49% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Hardeman County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Bolivar

For a typical $150,200 home in Bolivar, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Bolivar's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,192a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $5,257
    Cash to close
    $9,763
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $66

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,164a month

    Down payment
    $7,510
    Cash to close
    $12,016
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $71

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $940a month

    Down payment
    $30,040
    Cash to close
    $34,546
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,079a month

    Down payment
    $22,530
    Cash to close
    $27,036
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Bolivar and for Hardeman County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Bolivar

0.51%of the home’s value each year

$771 a year for the typical owner in Bolivar.

  • Bolivar 0.51%
  • Hardeman 0.63%
  • Tennessee 0.5%

What Tennessee publishes Property tax relief for older, disabled and disabled-veteran homeowners (Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, 2026 Property Tax Relief Program brochure)

Exemptions and deadlines in Tennessee

Flood risk in Hardeman County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Hardeman County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
0.7%
75
Of those, with NFIP insurance
5.3%
County Tennessee U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 0.7% 1.6% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 5.3% 25% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Bolivar

Typical rent in Bolivar is $808 a month: about the same as the county. In Bolivar, 59% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Hardeman County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($995 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $19.13 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Hardeman County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $761 $14.63 $30,440
1 bedroom $803 $15.44 $32,120
2 bedrooms $995 $19.13 $39,800
3 bedrooms $1,342 $25.81 $53,680
4 bedrooms $1,380 $26.54 $55,200

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Bolivar

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Bolivar is in ZIP code 38008.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,070: $75 more than the fair market rent for Hardeman County ($995).

  • 38008 $1,070$1,440

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Bolivar when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Bolivar

HUD lists 5 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Bolivar. These are the largest.

  • Hatchie Hav Chickasaw VL 609 Hatchie Hvn, Bolivar 38008 119 low-income homes · Run by Bolivar Housing Authority · Average payment: $331 a month · Average wait: 29 months (731) 658-3419
  • Raines East 103 Young Rd, Bolivar 38008 64 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 36 · 3 bd: 4 · In service since 2016 · For families
  • Pecan Grove 520 Pecan Dr, Bolivar 38008 40 homes, 39 low-income · For older adults (731) 658-3140
  • Highland Gardens Apartments 910 S Polk St, Bolivar 38008 26 low-income homes · 1 bd: 20 · 2 bd: 6 · In service since 1988
  • Quinco Group Home 333 S Water St, Bolivar 38008 9 homes, 8 low-income · For people with disabilities (901) 658-6113

See all 5 buildings in Hardeman County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Bolivar

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in Hardeman County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.

An older man and his daughter go over papers with a professional.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Bolivar

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Bolivar or Hardeman County. The ones below are statewide in Tennessee: they work in Bolivar the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in Tennessee

  • Great Choice Plus

    Statewide in Tennessee

    Tennessee state agency help with the down payment and closing costs alongside the Great Choice mortgage: $6,000 or $10,000 forgivable over 10 years with no payments, or up to 5% of the price (maximum $15,000) as a 30-year second mortgage. Offered by Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA).

    ForgivableRepayable

    See the program Official page

Housing counselors near Bolivar

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Bolivar, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • West Tennessee Legal Services, Incorporated

    210 West Main Street, Jackson · 26 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 8 more
    731-423-0616-1250

  • West Tennessee Legal Services, Inc.

    210 W Main St, Jackson · 26 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 8 more
    (731) 423-0616

  • Operation Hope - Memph TN - Poplar Av

    6815 Poplar Ave Ste 100, Memphis · 48 miles away

    • Budget and financial counseling
    • Budget and credit workshops
    • and 2 more
    (571) 544-2282

All counseling agencies in Tennessee

Help in Spanish near Bolivar

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Bolivar

HUD’s record names them for Bolivar or Hardeman County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

All housing agencies in Tennessee Source: HUD

Cities

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Bolivar, with the typical home value.

Everything about Hardeman County Housing in Tennessee

Neighboring counties

If Hardeman County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Bolivar.

All guides
Three women of one family talk as they cook vegetables in the kitchen.

Questions

Housing questions about Bolivar

Short answers with the numbers for Bolivar and all of Hardeman County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Bolivar?

The typical home value in Bolivar is $150,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Hardeman County it is $121,700.

How much does it cost to rent in Bolivar?

Typical rent in Bolivar is $808 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Hardeman County is $995.

What is the FHA loan limit in Bolivar?

Bolivar uses the FHA limit for all of Hardeman County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Bolivar?

The typical homeowner in Bolivar pays $771 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.51% of the home’s value; in Hardeman County, the rate is 0.63%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Bolivar?

We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Hardeman County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).