Cleveland, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cleveland, Tennessee had a total population of 48,829, the 16th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $58,559, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Cleveland Quick Facts
How Cleveland 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 | 48,185 | 48,829 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $55,904 | $58,559 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $241,800 | $272,200 | +12.6% |
How Cleveland 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cleveland Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Bradley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Charleston | 956 | $72,763 | 9.3% | $217,400 |
| McDonald | 712 | $95,698 | 4.9% | $214,100 |
Cities Similar to Cleveland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | 45,441 | $63,719 | $308,700 | 25.4% | 14.2% |
| Gallatin | 48,532 | $77,518 | $372,000 | 33.5% | 13.0% |
| Lebanon | 44,788 | $72,848 | $378,400 | 30.8% | 13.1% |
| Kingsport | 56,262 | $52,490 | $234,100 | 31.5% | 20.7% |
| Smyrna | 56,692 | $81,926 | $358,300 | 27.8% | 12.5% |
Population Overview
Cleveland is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee, within Bradley County. The total population is 48,829. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cleveland is 36.4 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cleveland is $58,559. 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 16.7%. This is 21% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $272,200. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 48.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cleveland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.5%. The Black or African American population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (11.5% vs 7.4%).
Education
30.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 87.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cleveland, 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 Cleveland, Tennessee?
Cleveland, Tennessee has a population of 48,829 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cleveland, TN?
The median household income in Cleveland is $58,559, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cleveland, TN?
The poverty rate in Cleveland is 16.7%. This means approximately 7,669 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cleveland, Tennessee?
Cleveland's population is 73.5% White, 7.0% Black, 11.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cleveland, TN?
The median home value in Cleveland is $272,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Cleveland, Tennessee?
30.2% of adults (25+) in Cleveland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.