Cocke County, Tennessee Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Cocke County is located in Tennessee with a total population of 36,503. It is the 42nd most populous county out of 95 in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cocke County is 45.4 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cocke County is $48,416. This is 28% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 47% 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 4.4%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $141,800. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $256,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Cocke County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Cocke County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

11.7% 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 62% lower 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 83.7%.