Clifton, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Clifton, Tennessee had a total population of 2,660, the 177th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $43,571, which is 37% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 39.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 37% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (39.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 4.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Clifton Quick Facts
How Clifton 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 | 2,666 | 2,660 | No clear change (-0.2%) |
| Median household income | $49,228 | $43,571 | No clear change (-11.5%) |
| Median home value¹ | $156,423 | $122,100 | No clear change (-21.9%) |
| Median gross rent | $587 | $681 | No clear change (+16.0%) |
How Clifton 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: 61.4%
- Black: 20.2%
- Hispanic: 6.6%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
- < High School: 19.5%
- HS Diploma: 50.4%
- Some College: 20.7%
- Associate's: 4.7%
- Bachelor's: 2.9%
- Graduate+: 1.7%
Clifton Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesboro | 2,296 | $40,977 | 26.7% | $79,100 |
| Collinwood | 996 | $54,286 | 15.1% | $131,000 |
Cities Similar to Clifton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey | 2,768 | $45,922 | $165,000 | 9.6% | 29.9% |
| Maynardville | 2,528 | $46,106 | $205,400 | 6.8% | 21.7% |
| Parsons | 2,686 | $36,154 | $118,100 | 8.3% | 25.3% |
| Mountain City | 2,542 | $38,818 | $216,300 | 12.0% | 34.1% |
| Tazewell | 2,902 | $41,836 | $196,800 | 19.4% | 33.1% |
Population Overview
Clifton is a small community located in Tennessee, within Wayne County. The total population is 2,660. It ranks as the 177th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Clifton is 44.1 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 9.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Clifton is $43,571. This is 37% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 39.5%. This is 187% 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 3.1%. This is 33% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $122,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Clifton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Clifton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 61.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.2%.
Education
4.6% 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 85% 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 80.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Clifton, 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 Clifton, Tennessee?
Clifton, Tennessee has a population of 2,660 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Clifton, TN?
The median household income in Clifton is $43,571, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Clifton, TN?
The poverty rate in Clifton is 39.5%. This means approximately 477 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Clifton, Tennessee?
Clifton's population is 61.4% White, 20.2% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Clifton, TN?
The median home value in Clifton is $122,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Clifton, Tennessee?
4.6% of adults (25+) in Clifton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.