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CITY

Oak Ridge

Tennessee · 35,395 residents (2025 est.) · 85.25 sq mi
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The short version

Oak Ridge has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $72,311. Population has grown 19% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $270,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
40% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
32,693
+19%since 2000
from 27,387 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
383 / sq mi
+19%since 2000
from 321 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.3
−9%since 2000
from 43.4 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:35,395 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
27K28K30K32K33K1990201020202024Oak Ridge
202433K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$72,311
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,950 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,285
+71%since 2000
from $24,793 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
49.0%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
12.2%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 10.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.435
−7%since 2010
from 0.469 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade8.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services1.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$270,200
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $97,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,131
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $487 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
65.8%
−2.6 ptssince 2000
from 68.4% in 2000
34.2% rent
Vacancy rate
8.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.6% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 38.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.7
+61%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Oak Ridge on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(23,517)
Black8.1%(2,229)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(529)
Asian2.1%(568)
Other0%
Diversity Score28.1%(7,693)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.3%(25,931)
Black5.8%(1,894)
Hispanic / Latino6.8%(2,239)
Asian2.6%(854)
Other5.4%(1,775)
Diversity Score44.9%(14,680)
Diversity Score
45
+60%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
40.2%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 37.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 89.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
18.2%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.7 min
+83%since 2000
from 11.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
70.8%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 84.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
16.3%
+13.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.2%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.1%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.8%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2011
from 60.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.9%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
47.0%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 70.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
Female
51.1%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.3% in 2009
Foreign born
5.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.9%
−36.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.2%
+3.3 ptssince 2012
from 15.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.6%
−82.7 ptssince 2013
from 89.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
94.5%
+16.9 ptssince 2017
from 77.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.2%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 91.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 4.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Oak Ridge to nearby cities

OAK RIDGE VS
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Income$142,093+97%
Home value$583,400+116%
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OAK RIDGE VS
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Income$67,259−7%
Home value$252,400−7%
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OAK RIDGE VS
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Income$68,882−5%
Home value$225,000−17%
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OAK RIDGE VS
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Income$82,434+14%
Home value$299,400+11%
Population13,739−61%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Oak Ridge, Tennessee?

Oak Ridge, Tennessee has about 32,693 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Oak Ridge, Tennessee?

The typical household in Oak Ridge, Tennessee earns about $72,311 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Oak Ridge, Tennessee expensive?

In Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $270,200, and the typical rent is about $1,131 a month.

How educated are people in Oak Ridge, Tennessee?

About 40.2% of adults age 25 and over in Oak Ridge, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Oak Ridge, Tennessee?

About 12.2% of people in Oak Ridge, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Oak Ridge, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Oak Ridge, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 5,383 residents, a change of about 20 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 →