Cookeville, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cookeville, Tennessee had a total population of 36,088, the 24th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $51,375, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.5%.
Cookeville Quick Facts
How Cookeville 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 | 33,454 | 36,088 | +7.9% |
| Median household income | $47,082 | $51,375 | No clear change (+9.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $205,159 | $305,400 | +48.9% |
| Median gross rent | $898 | $917 | No clear change (+2.1%) |
How Cookeville 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: 78.2%
- Black: 3.4%
- Hispanic: 12.0%
- Asian: 1.9%
- Other: 0.2%
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+)
- < High School: 11.6%
- HS Diploma: 26.6%
- Some College: 20.9%
- Associate's: 6.1%
- Bachelor's: 19.4%
- Graduate+: 15.4%
Cookeville Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Putnam County
Cities Similar to Cookeville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morristown | 31,527 | $47,917 | $181,100 | 15.0% | 26.0% |
| Oak Ridge | 32,693 | $72,311 | $270,200 | 40.2% | 12.2% |
| Bristol | 27,636 | $58,162 | $194,500 | 30.6% | 13.6% |
| Columbia | 45,441 | $63,719 | $308,700 | 25.4% | 14.2% |
| La Vergne | 40,243 | $81,313 | $309,900 | 23.7% | 15.1% |
Population Overview
Cookeville is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee, within Putnam County. The total population is 36,088. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cookeville is 29.8 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cookeville is $51,375. This is 26% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.5%. This is 71% 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 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $305,400. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 41.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cookeville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.0%. The Black or African American population (3.4%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.0% vs 7.4%).
Education
34.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% higher 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 88.4%. Notably, 15.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cookeville, 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 Cookeville, Tennessee?
Cookeville, Tennessee has a population of 36,088 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cookeville, TN?
The median household income in Cookeville is $51,375, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cookeville, TN?
The poverty rate in Cookeville is 23.5%. This means approximately 7,714 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cookeville, Tennessee?
Cookeville's population is 78.2% White, 3.4% Black, 12.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cookeville, TN?
The median home value in Cookeville is $305,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Cookeville, Tennessee?
34.8% of adults (25+) in Cookeville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.