Big Sandy, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Big Sandy, Tennessee had a total population of 507, the 387th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $47,500, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Big Sandy Quick Facts
How Big Sandy 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 | 589 | 507 | -13.9% |
| Median household income | $43,036 | $47,500 | +10.4% |
| Median home value | $62,300 | $70,000 | +12.4% |
How Big Sandy 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+)
Big Sandy Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Benton County
Cities Similar to Big Sandy
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg | 508 | $45,417 | $154,900 | 9.2% | 24.3% |
| Copperhill | 493 | $45,417 | $99,000 | 14.6% | 20.9% |
| Pleasant Hill | 514 | $51,406 | $175,000 | 44.0% | 14.9% |
| Clarkrange | 554 | N/A | $326,800 | 29.3% | 41.5% |
| Calhoun | 546 | $49,028 | $179,700 | 19.6% | 18.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 507, Big Sandy's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Big Sandy is a small community located in Tennessee, within Benton County. The total population is 507. It ranks as the 387th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Big Sandy is 44.5 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 12.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Big Sandy is $47,500. This is 32% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 10.5%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $70,000. Housing costs are 76% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Big Sandy is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Big Sandy has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.7% of all residents.
Education
6.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 80% 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 87.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Big Sandy, 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 Big Sandy, Tennessee?
Big Sandy, Tennessee has a population of 507 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Big Sandy, TN?
The median household income in Big Sandy is $47,500, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Big Sandy, TN?
The poverty rate in Big Sandy is 18.5%. This means approximately 94 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Big Sandy, Tennessee?
Big Sandy's population is 95.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Big Sandy, TN?
The median home value in Big Sandy is $70,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Big Sandy, Tennessee?
6.1% of adults (25+) in Big Sandy hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.