Tourism in Lincoln County: 2024 Snapshot vs. 2023
Tourism is a major driver of economic activity in Lincoln County, supporting local jobs, businesses, and community growth. Each year, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development releases county-level snapshots showing the direct impact of visitor spending. Let’s take a closer look at how Lincoln County performed in 2024 and how it compares to 2023.
📊 Visitor Spending and Economic Impact
In 2024, visitors spent $29.9 million in Lincoln County. While this represents a 1.67% dip from 2023’s $30.4 million, it still reflects a strong travel economy for the county.
That visitor spending supported:
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254 local jobs (down from 258 in 2023)
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$6.7 million in labor income (up $100,000 from 2023)
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$2.85 million in state and local taxes combined
👥 Who’s Visiting Lincoln County?
Visitor patterns shifted in 2024, with day visitors increasing significantly while overnight visitation saw a very slight decline.
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Day Visitors: 58,088 (down 6%)
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Overnight Visitors: 113,022 (down just slightly from 113,242 in 2023)
💵 Tax Collections and Community Benefit
One of the most important impacts of tourism is how it helps local taxpayers. Visitor spending generates state and local tax revenue, reducing the burden on residents.
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State Taxes: $1.67M in 2024 (down from $1.7M in 2023)
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Local Taxes: $1.18M in 2024 (up slightly from $1.17M in 2023)
💡 In 2024, visitor spending saved each Lincoln County household an average of $195 in taxes, down from $201 in 2023.
🏆 County Ranking
Lincoln County ranked 48th out of Tennessee’s 95 counties in 2024 for visitor spending. This was a slight drop from its 45th place rank in 2023, reflecting that while our numbers remain strong, other counties saw faster growth.
✨ What This Means for Lincoln County
Tourism continues to be a vital part of our local economy. While total visitor spending dipped slightly, the increase in day visitors and growth in state and local tax revenue are positive signs. These trends highlight opportunities to:
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Continue promoting Lincoln County as a day trip destination.
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Strengthen lodging and overnight stay offerings to capture longer visits.
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Invest in attractions and amenities that encourage visitors to stay, shop, and explore.
Final Thoughts
Tourism is more than just dollars—it’s about community growth, job support, and making Lincoln County a vibrant place to live, work, and visit. As we look ahead, the 2024 numbers show a strong foundation to build on, and plenty of opportunities to keep welcoming visitors from across Tennessee and beyond.
