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CITY · 2020 ACS

Knoxville

Tennessee · 190,740 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 $41,598. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $142,700. At a median age of 33.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 22.5% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 33.3
US median: 38.8
Average education
34% 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
190,740
+10%since 2000
from 173,890 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,932 / sq mi
+10%since 2000
from 1,761 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
33.3
Unchangedsince 2000
from 33.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
162K171K180K189K198K1990201020202024Knoxville
2024195K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$41,598
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,492 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,903
+48%since 2000
from $18,171 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.8%
+9.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
22.5%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 20.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information13.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade6.7%
US avg: 10%
Other services5.8%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food3%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.6%
US avg: 1.7%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$142,700
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $77,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$883
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $467 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
46.4%
−4.8 ptssince 2000
from 51.2% in 2000
53.6% rent
Afford Score
3.4
+21%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Knoxville on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79%(137,336)
Black16.1%(28,015)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(2,751)
Asian1.4%(2,516)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.6%(70,566)
2020
White, non-Hispanic68.2%(130,036)
Black15.8%(30,123)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(15,160)
Asian2.3%(4,323)
Other3.7%(6,992)
Diversity Score60%(114,435)
Diversity Score
60
+48%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.5%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 24.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
89.8%
+11.4 ptssince 2000
from 78.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.5% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.6 min
+66%since 2000
from 12.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.1%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
10.2%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.2% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
63.8%
+2.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.4% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
37.9%
−26.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 47.6% in 2009
Female
52.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 52.4% in 2009
Foreign born
6.1%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
9.9%
−76.6 ptssince 2013
from 86.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Explore

Neighborhoods in Knoxville

Fort SandersPark CitySouth KnoxvilleNeighborhoods in Knoxville
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Head to head

Compare Knoxville to nearby cities

KNOXVILLE VS
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Income$82,434+98%
Home value$299,400+110%
Population13,739−93%
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KNOXVILLE VS
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Income$90,933+119%
Home value$321,300+125%
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KNOXVILLE VS
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Home value$277,100+94%
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KNOXVILLE VS
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Income$82,855+99%
Home value$308,100+116%
Population16,216−92%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Knoxville, Tennessee?

Knoxville, Tennessee has about 190,740 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Knoxville, Tennessee?

The typical household in Knoxville, Tennessee earns about $41,598 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 $142,700, and the typical rent is about $883 a month.

How educated are people in Knoxville, Tennessee?

About 33.5% 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 22.5% 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 25,619 residents, a change of about 16 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 →