Lawrence County Outpaces Statewide Growth as Tourism Continues to Drive Local Economic Impact
LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. – Visitors to Lawrence County generated $33,576,502 in direct spending in 2025, an increase of 3.8% over 2024 and ahead of Tennessee’s statewide tourism growth rate of 2.7%, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.
Since 2018, visitor spending in Lawrence County has grown 38.7%, demonstrating the continued importance of tourism to the county’s broader economic development strategy.
“Tourism is economic development, and these numbers demonstrate the real return it creates for Lawrence County,” said Ryan Egly, President & CEO of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “More than $33 million in visitor spending supports our local businesses, generates tax revenue for our communities, and introduces new people to everything Lawrence County has to offer. Continuing to invest in our destinations, events and visitor experience strengthens both our economy and our quality of place.”
BY THE NUMBERS
- $33.6 million in direct visitor spending in Lawrence County
- 3.8% growth in visitor spending over 2024
- $2,022,330 generated in state tax revenue
- $1,436,180 generated in local tax revenue
- Approximately $91,990 spent by visitors each day on lodging, retail, transportation, recreation and dining
- Without tourism-generated state and local taxes, each Lawrence County household would pay approximately $204 more annually in taxes
Lawrence County ranked 46th among Tennessee’s 95 counties in total visitor spending.
Lawrence County is part of Tennessee’s South Central tourism region, which generated $548.3 million in visitor spending in 2025. The region experienced 0.4% year-over-year growth and has grown 29.4% since 2018.
Statewide, Tennessee generated a record $32.5 billion in direct visitor spending in 2025 and $3.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.
“Tennessee is a sales tax state. The quality of our assets – whether that’s live music or entertainment or outdoors – are attractive to visitors,” said Mark Ezell, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Every tax dollar captured from an out-of-state visitor is a dollar retained in Tennessee and used for Tennesseans. It’s incredible to see communities understanding the power of visitor spending, and leveraging that spending for the good of their residents.”
The economic impact data was produced by Tourism Economics and commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. It measures visitor spending and its resulting tax impact throughout the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Lawrence County.
About the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen Lawrence County through economic development, tourism, workforce development, business engagement and community development. Through its destination marketing efforts, the Chamber promotes Lawrence County as a place to visit, experience and return to while supporting the businesses and attractions that make the community unique.
About the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTD’s global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, boosting tax revenue, creating jobs and attracting new investment.