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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bolivar

Tennessee · 5,205 residents · 8.114 sq mi
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The short version

Bolivar has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $32,174. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $97,700. The poverty rate of 26.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 41% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.5
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,205
−10%since 2000
from 5,802 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
641 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 715 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.5
+12%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Bolivar
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,174
−25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,651 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,568
+44%since 2000
from $14,973 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
21.4%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
26.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 23.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade28.3%
US avg: 10%
Information10.7%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services2.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Wholesale trade1.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$97,700
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$690
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $366 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
50.5%
−11.1 ptssince 2000
from 61.6% in 2000
49.5% rent
Afford Score
3.0
+48%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bolivar on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic42%(2,439)
Black56.3%(3,264)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(35)
Asian0.4%(25)
Other0%
Diversity Score62.5%(3,627)
2020
White, non-Hispanic30.9%(1,606)
Black63.5%(3,303)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(95)
Asian0.8%(40)
Other2.7%(138)
Diversity Score62.1%(3,231)
Diversity Score
62
−1%since 2000
from 63 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 12.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
82.5%
+19.0 ptssince 2000
from 63.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.5%
+0.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.7 min
+45%since 2000
from 18.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.4%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 85.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
14.0%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
26.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2011
from 21.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.3%
+2.7 ptssince 2011
from 51.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.7%
−37.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.5% in 2009
Female
52.6%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.6%
−76.9 ptssince 2013
from 88.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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BOLIVAR VS
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BOLIVAR VS
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BOLIVAR VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bolivar, Tennessee?

Bolivar, Tennessee has about 5,205 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bolivar, Tennessee?

The typical household in Bolivar, Tennessee earns about $32,174 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bolivar, Tennessee expensive?

In Bolivar, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $97,700, and the typical rent is about $690 a month.

How educated are people in Bolivar, Tennessee?

About 11.1% of adults age 25 and over in Bolivar, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bolivar, Tennessee?

About 26.5% of people in Bolivar, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bolivar, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Bolivar, Tennessee has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 764 residents, a change of about -13 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 →