Baxter, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Baxter, Tennessee had a total population of 1,361, the 270th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $58,750, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.8%.
Baxter Quick Facts
How Baxter Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,278 | 1,361 | +6.5% |
| Median household income | $56,806 | $58,750 | +3.4% |
| Median home value | $198,800 | $219,000 | +10.2% |
How Baxter Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Baxter Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Putnam County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookeville | 36,088 | $51,375 | 23.5% | $305,400 |
| Algood | 4,036 | $42,359 | 32.9% | $190,300 |
| Monterey | 2,768 | $45,922 | 29.9% | $165,000 |
Cities Similar to Baxter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown | 1,369 | $61,154 | $218,000 | 10.0% | 8.3% |
| Gordonsville | 1,299 | $57,688 | $251,400 | 21.8% | 5.8% |
| Fincastle | 1,374 | $51,591 | $215,300 | 15.0% | 18.6% |
| Olivet | 1,377 | $66,635 | $159,800 | 5.7% | 21.0% |
| Lyles | 1,385 | $68,036 | $219,100 | 6.6% | 8.7% |
Population Overview
Baxter is a small community located in Tennessee, within Putnam County. The total population is 1,361. It ranks as the 270th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Baxter is 38.1 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Baxter is $58,750. This is 16% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 0.8%. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $219,000. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
Baxter has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.4%. The Black or African American population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Baxter, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Baxter, Tennessee?
Baxter, Tennessee has a population of 1,361 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Baxter, TN?
The median household income in Baxter is $58,750, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Baxter, TN?
The poverty rate in Baxter is 20.5%. This means approximately 277 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Baxter, Tennessee?
Baxter's population is 91.0% White, 2.4% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Baxter, TN?
The median home value in Baxter is $219,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Baxter, Tennessee?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Baxter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.