Cleveland city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Cleveland city, Tennessee has a total population of 48,185, the 16th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $55,904, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
Cleveland city Quick Facts
How Cleveland city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cleveland city Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Cities Similar to Cleveland city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia city | 43,971 | $61,204 | $261,700 | 23.9% | 14.3% |
| Gallatin city | 46,667 | $73,589 | $343,700 | 32.0% | 12.4% |
| Kingsport city | 55,807 | $50,436 | $203,000 | 31.0% | 20.8% |
| Lebanon city | 41,951 | $71,320 | $359,300 | 30.0% | 14.0% |
| Smyrna town | 55,066 | $78,409 | $326,700 | 28.2% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Cleveland city is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee. The total population is 48,185. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cleveland city is 36.1 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cleveland city is $55,904. This is 17% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 29% lower. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 26% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $241,800. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 50.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cleveland city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 74.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.1%. The Black or African American population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.1% vs 7.1%).
Education
31.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% 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 Cleveland city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cleveland city, Tennessee?
Cleveland city, Tennessee has a population of 48,185 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cleveland city, TN?
The median household income in Cleveland city is $55,904, which is 29% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Cleveland city, TN?
The poverty rate in Cleveland city is 17.4%. This means approximately 7,876 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cleveland city, Tennessee?
Cleveland city's population is 74.5% White, 7.6% Black, 11.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cleveland city, TN?
The median home value in Cleveland city is $241,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Cleveland city, Tennessee?
31.1% of adults (25+) in Cleveland city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.