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CITY

Watauga

Tennessee · 364 residents (2025 est.) · 0.873 sq mi
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The short version

Watauga has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $62,917. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 60% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $156,900.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 72%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
644
+60%since 2000
from 403 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
738 / sq mi
+60%since 2000
from 462 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.0
+17%since 2000
from 36.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:364 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2593835076317551990201020202024Watauga
2024644
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$62,917
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,438 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,384
+154%since 2000
from $13,551 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.4%
+25.2 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.9%
−7.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.366
−10%since 2010
from 0.407 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade16.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade7.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information7.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing1.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$156,900
+72%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,000 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$588
−14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
94.6%
+19.9 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
5.4% rent
Vacancy rate
7.0%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.1%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
20.0%
−28.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+42%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
81
RELATED:See current rent listings in Watauga on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.8%(390)
Black1.7%(7)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.3%(29)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.9%(553)
Black5.4%(35)
Hispanic / Latino7.6%(49)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.1%(7)
Diversity Score31.7%(204)
Diversity Score
32
+335%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
29.8%
+19.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.8%
+29.2 ptssince 2000
from 61.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
12.5%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.9 min
+26%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
91.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 90.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.5%
−5.9 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.4%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.4%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
13.0%
+11.6 ptssince 2011
from 1.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
47.1%
−15.8 ptssince 2011
from 62.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
25.0%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.2%
−13.0 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.3%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
46.7%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
6.4%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.0%
−47.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.9%
−0.1 ptssince 2012
from 20.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.1%
−74.5 ptssince 2013
from 82.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.9%
+30.3 ptssince 2017
from 63.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.8%
−5.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.9%
+6.6 ptssince 2016
from 0.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Watauga to nearby cities

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WATAUGA VS
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WATAUGA VS
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WATAUGA VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watauga, Tennessee?

Watauga, Tennessee has about 644 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watauga, Tennessee?

The typical household in Watauga, Tennessee earns about $62,917 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Watauga, Tennessee expensive?

In Watauga, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $156,900, and the typical rent is about $588 a month.

How educated are people in Watauga, Tennessee?

About 29.8% of adults age 25 and over in Watauga, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Watauga, Tennessee?

About 10.9% of people in Watauga, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Watauga, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Watauga, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 310 residents, a change of about 93 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 →