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CITY · 2020 ACS

Cookeville

Tennessee · 34,842 residents · 35.77 sq mi
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The short version

Cookeville has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $40,836. Population has grown 46% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $170,300. At a median age of 30.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 22.5% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 26% less than the Tennessee median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 30.3
US median: 38.8
Average education
35% 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
34,842
+46%since 2000
from 23,923 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
974 / sq mi
+46%since 2000
from 669 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
30.3
+4%since 2000
from 29.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K25K29K33K38K1990201020202024Cookeville
202436K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,836
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,533 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$23,863
+35%since 2000
from $17,684 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.6%
+11.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.5%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 23.2% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.7%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$170,300
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $100,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$740
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $454 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
40.0%
−5.5 ptssince 2000
from 45.5% in 2000
60.0% rent
Afford Score
4.2
+10%since 2000
from 3.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cookeville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic89.6%(21,439)
Black2.9%(692)
Hispanic / Latino4.2%(1,009)
Asian1.9%(445)
Other0%
Diversity Score21.3%(5,103)
2020
White, non-Hispanic78.4%(27,333)
Black4.8%(1,671)
Hispanic / Latino9.9%(3,443)
Asian2.3%(793)
Other2.5%(871)
Diversity Score43%(14,988)
Diversity Score
43
+102%since 2000
from 21 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
35.1%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 28.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
87.6%
+13.6 ptssince 2000
from 74.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
15.3%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+72%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.5%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 81.8% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
6.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2011
from 10.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.2%
+5.6 ptssince 2011
from 54.6% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
35.9%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 64.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
51.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
5.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.3%
−70.3 ptssince 2013
from 80.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Cookeville to nearby cities

COOKEVILLE VS
Crossville
Income$48,802+20%
Home value$246,300+45%
Population13,113−66%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COOKEVILLE VS
McMinnville
Income$47,179+16%
Home value$182,200+7%
Population13,943−64%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COOKEVILLE VS
Fairfield Glade
Income$71,682+76%
Home value$356,800+110%
Population9,487−75%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COOKEVILLE VS
Hartsville/Trousdale County
Income$72,747+78%
Home value$337,600+98%
Population12,623−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Cookeville, Tennessee?

Cookeville, Tennessee has about 34,842 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cookeville, Tennessee?

The typical household in Cookeville, Tennessee earns about $40,836 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cookeville, Tennessee expensive?

In Cookeville, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $170,300, and the typical rent is about $740 a month.

How educated are people in Cookeville, Tennessee?

About 35.1% of adults age 25 and over in Cookeville, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cookeville, Tennessee?

About 22.5% of people in Cookeville, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cookeville, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Cookeville, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 13,098 residents, a change of about 60 percent over that period.

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

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