Charleston, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Charleston, Tennessee had a total population of 956, the 313th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $72,763, which is 5% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.3%.
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 1.3%.
Charleston Quick Facts
How Charleston 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 | 816 | 956 | +17.2% |
| Median household income | $72,208 | $72,763 | +0.8% |
| Median home value | $185,000 | $217,400 | +17.5% |
How Charleston 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+)
Charleston Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Bradley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 48,829 | $58,559 | 16.7% | $272,200 |
| South Cleveland | 7,452 | $66,601 | 10.2% | $232,600 |
| Wildwood Lake | 3,495 | $62,722 | 15.0% | $231,700 |
| Hopewell | 2,634 | $87,842 | 18.7% | $305,600 |
| East Cleveland | 1,934 | $48,878 | 26.5% | $124,100 |
| McDonald | 712 | $95,698 | 4.9% | $214,100 |
Cities Similar to Charleston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friendsville | 980 | $69,063 | $217,800 | 14.2% | 12.4% |
| Trezevant | 980 | $68,750 | $96,300 | 21.9% | 13.9% |
| Adams | 888 | $75,000 | $258,900 | 15.9% | 7.5% |
| Clarksburg | 895 | $76,250 | $152,500 | 17.6% | 17.2% |
| Wildwood | 968 | $87,083 | $212,200 | 18.2% | 22.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 956, Charleston'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
Charleston is a small community located in Tennessee, within Bradley County. The total population is 956. It ranks as the 313th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Charleston is 38.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Charleston is $72,763. This is 5% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.3%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 72% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $217,400. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 78.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Charleston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.3%. The Black or African American population (7.3%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
11.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Charleston, 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 Charleston, Tennessee?
Charleston, Tennessee has a population of 956 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Charleston, TN?
The median household income in Charleston is $72,763, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Charleston, TN?
The poverty rate in Charleston is 9.3%. This means approximately 89 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Charleston, Tennessee?
Charleston's population is 80.9% White, 7.3% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Charleston, TN?
The median home value in Charleston is $217,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Charleston, Tennessee?
11.4% of adults (25+) in Charleston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.