Bolivar, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bolivar, Tennessee had a total population of 5,144, the 115th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $39,028, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 13.2% is notably above the national average.
Bolivar Quick Facts
How Bolivar Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 5,031 | 5,144 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $39,461 | $39,028 | No clear change (-1.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $116,179 | $150,200 | +29.3% |
| Median gross rent | $750 | $808 | No clear change (+7.8%) |
How Bolivar Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 29.7%
- Black: 63.6%
- Hispanic: 3.9%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 15.8%
- HS Diploma: 41.5%
- Some College: 21.0%
- Associate's: 6.7%
- Bachelor's: 11.6%
- Graduate+: 3.5%
Bolivar Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Hardeman County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whiteville | 4,530 | $42,105 | 28.3% | $124,400 |
| Middleton | 743 | $36,250 | 39.1% | $122,100 |
| Pocahontas | 391 | N/A | 3.1% | $116,700 |
| Saulsbury | 304 | $46,346 | 29.3% | $103,400 |
| Toone | 289 | $37,063 | 45.0% | $82,500 |
| Hornsby | 228 | $49,135 | 16.1% | $106,300 |
| Essary Springs | 154 | $39,805 | 0.0% | $205,500 |
| Hickory Valley | 126 | $33,229 | 23.8% | $105,700 |
| Silerton | 81 | $41,607 | 32.1% | $102,800 |
Cities Similar to Bolivar
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madisonville | 5,241 | $39,878 | $234,400 | 15.4% | 18.1% |
| Smithville | 5,288 | $33,192 | $194,200 | 17.0% | 33.4% |
| McKenzie | 5,631 | $37,236 | $154,500 | 20.0% | 21.2% |
| Whiteville | 4,530 | $42,105 | $124,400 | 2.7% | 28.3% |
| Sparta | 4,939 | $50,080 | $217,000 | 19.1% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Bolivar is a small city located in Tennessee, within Hardeman County. The total population is 5,144. It ranks as the 115th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bolivar is 34.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bolivar is $39,028. This is 44% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.7%. This is 58% 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 13.2%. This is 182% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $150,200. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 57.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bolivar is Black or African American, making up 63.6% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 29.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (29.7%) is well below the state average of 71.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (63.6% vs 15.4%).
Education
15.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 84.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bolivar, 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 Bolivar, Tennessee?
Bolivar, Tennessee has a population of 5,144 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bolivar, TN?
The median household income in Bolivar is $39,028, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bolivar, TN?
The poverty rate in Bolivar is 21.7%. This means approximately 1,089 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bolivar, Tennessee?
Bolivar's population is 29.7% White, 63.6% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bolivar, TN?
The median home value in Bolivar is $150,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Bolivar, Tennessee?
15.1% of adults (25+) in Bolivar hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.