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CITY

Big Sandy

Tennessee · 489 residents (2025 est.) · 0.628 sq mi
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The short version

Big Sandy has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,500. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $70,000. With a median age of 44.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 32% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
6% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 13%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
507
−2%since 2000
from 518 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
807 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 825 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.5
+2%since 2000
from 43.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:489 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4064875696517321990201020202024Big Sandy
2024507
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,500
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,917 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,376
+71%since 2000
from $13,688 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
24.1%
+11.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
18.5%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 21.0% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.333
−22%since 2010
from 0.427 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information34.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade25.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance6.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical6.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services5.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$70,000
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$771
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $383 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.6%
−20.6 ptssince 2000
from 79.3% in 2000
41.4% rent
Vacancy rate
26.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 22.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.6%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 41.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.5
−24%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
27
RELATED:See current rent listings in Big Sandy on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99%(513)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0.5%(3)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.7%(485)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.3%(22)
Diversity Score10.4%(53)
Diversity Score
10
+2038%since 2000
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
6.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.0%
+25.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
0.8%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 1.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.3 min
+45%since 2000
from 19.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
79.5%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 83.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.1%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
−6.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−4.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
10.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.5%
−5.1 ptssince 2011
from 15.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
49.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 50.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.0%
−16.8 ptssince 2009
from 23.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
12.9%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 50.1% in 2009
Female
48.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 49.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.4%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
30.6%
−4.4 ptssince 2012
from 35.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.8%
−70.3 ptssince 2013
from 82.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.9%
+34.6 ptssince 2017
from 47.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.6%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 96.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2016
from 1.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Big Sandy to nearby cities

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Home value$163,600+134%
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BIG SANDY VS
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Income$44,091−7%
Home value$195,000+179%
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BIG SANDY VS
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Income$69,678+47%
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BIG SANDY VS
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Income$43,381−9%
Home value$198,300+183%
Population11,060+2162%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Sandy, Tennessee?

Big Sandy, Tennessee has about 507 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Big Sandy, Tennessee?

The typical household in Big Sandy, Tennessee earns about $47,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Big Sandy, Tennessee expensive?

In Big Sandy, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $70,000, and the typical rent is about $771 a month.

How educated are people in Big Sandy, Tennessee?

About 6.1% of adults age 25 and over in Big Sandy, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Big Sandy, Tennessee?

About 18.5% of people in Big Sandy, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Big Sandy, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Big Sandy, Tennessee has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 11 residents, a change of about -2 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →