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CITY · 2010 ACS

Watauga

Tennessee · 458 residents · 0.873 sq mi
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The short version

Watauga has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $32,188. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $88,800. The poverty rate of 26.7% 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: $52,703
Older
median age 41.6
US median: 37.2
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
458
+14%since 2000
from 403 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
525 / sq mi
+14%since 2000
from 462 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
41.6
+14%since 2000
from 36.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
2593835076317551990201020202024Watauga
2024644
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,188
−11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,438 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,543
+29%since 2000
from $13,551 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
31.2%
+10.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
26.7%
+8.5 ptssince 2000
from 18.1% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.407
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade23.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Information15.1%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 7.2%
Other services3.9%
US avg: 7%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.9%
Finance & insurance1.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical1.5%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 3.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.4%
US avg: 0.5%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$88,800
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $50,000 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$404
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $375 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
37.3%
−37.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.7% in 2000
29.2% rent
Vacancy rate
11.2%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 16.1% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
24.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.0% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.7%
+2.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.8
+57%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic93.4%(428)
Black1.5%(7)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(6)
Asian0.2%(1)
Other0.8%(4)
Diversity Score9.6%(44)
Diversity Score
10
+31%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.1%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
80.1%
+18.5 ptssince 2000
from 61.6% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
1.8%
−0.1 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.8 min
+25%since 2000
from 15.0 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
91.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 90.4% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
4.2%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
3.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
2.5%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
6.6%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
21.6%
−24.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.8%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
47.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.7%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
10.8%
−42.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.2% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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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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Frequently asked

How many people live in Watauga, Tennessee?

Watauga, Tennessee has about 458 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Watauga, Tennessee?

The typical household in Watauga, Tennessee earns about $32,188 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 $88,800, and the typical rent is about $404 a month.

How educated are people in Watauga, Tennessee?

About 10.1% 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 26.7% 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 124 residents, a change of about 37 percent over that period.

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

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