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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Knoxville

Tennessee · 173,890 residents · 98.732 sq mi
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The short version

Knoxville has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $27,492. Population has held roughly steady since 1990. Median home value has risen by half since 1990, reaching $77,800. The poverty rate of 20.8% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Younger
median age 33.4
US median: 35.2
Average education
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
173,890
+5%since 1990
from 165,121 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,761 / sq mi
+5%since 1990
from 1,672 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
33.4
+3%since 1990
from 32.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
162K171K180K189K198K1990201020202024Knoxville
2024195K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$27,492
+5%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $19,923 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$18,171
+50%since 1990
from $12,108 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
20.8%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 20.8% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$77,800
+19%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $49,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$467
+7%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $332 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
51.2%
+1.4 ptssince 1990
from 49.7% in 1990
48.8% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+13%since 1990
from 2.5 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Knoxville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic82.8%(136,789)
Black15.6%(25,770)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(986)
Asian1%(1,653)
Diversity Score37.2%(61,428)
2000
White, non-Hispanic79%(137,336)
Black16.1%(28,015)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(2,751)
Asian1.4%(2,516)
Diversity Score40.6%(70,566)
Diversity Score
41
+9%since 1990
from 37 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.6%
+2.8 ptssince 1990
from 21.7% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
78.4%
+7.6 ptssince 1990
from 70.8% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
9.5%
+1.6 ptssince 1990
from 7.9% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.4 min
−27%since 1990
from 17.0 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Explore

Neighborhoods in Knoxville

Fort SandersPark CitySouth KnoxvilleNeighborhoods in Knoxville
Drill deeper

Places similar to Knoxville

Augusta
Pop 201,999
Tallahassee
Pop 204,902
Columbus
Pop 202,171
Sunrise Manor
Pop 200,218
Places similar to Knoxville
Head to head

Compare Knoxville to nearby cities

KNOXVILLE VS
Powell
Income$82,434+200%
Home value$299,400+285%
Population13,739−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KNOXVILLE VS
Halls
Income$90,933+231%
Home value$321,300+313%
Population10,272−95%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KNOXVILLE VS
Alcoa
Income$65,714+139%
Home value$277,100+256%
Population13,689−93%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KNOXVILLE VS
Seymour
Income$82,855+201%
Home value$308,100+296%
Population16,216−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Knoxville, Tennessee?

Knoxville, Tennessee has about 173,890 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Knoxville, Tennessee?

The typical household in Knoxville, Tennessee earns about $27,492 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Knoxville, Tennessee expensive?

In Knoxville, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $77,800, and the typical rent is about $467 a month.

How educated are people in Knoxville, Tennessee?

About 24.6% of adults age 25 and over in Knoxville, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Knoxville, Tennessee?

About 20.8% of people in Knoxville, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Knoxville, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Knoxville, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,769 residents, a change of about 5 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 →