Cosby, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cosby, Tennessee had a total population of 779, the 331st largest community in Tennessee, with a median household income of $91,563, which is 32% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Tennessee.
Cosby Quick Facts
How Cosby 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 | 521 | 779 | +49.5% |
How Cosby 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
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+)
Cosby Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Cocke County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport | 6,881 | $31,250 | 27.2% | $133,500 |
| Parrottsville | 374 | $48,452 | 28.2% | $134,400 |
Cities Similar to Cosby
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rarity Bay | 757 | $84,861 | $706,000 | 52.4% | 1.2% |
| Summertown | 733 | $89,688 | $213,500 | 16.7% | 1.4% |
| McDonald | 712 | $95,698 | $214,100 | 22.8% | 4.9% |
| Townsend | 701 | $85,921 | $370,700 | 44.4% | 5.1% |
| Baneberry | 700 | $82,344 | $395,200 | 30.2% | 3.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 779, Cosby's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Cosby is a small community located in Tennessee, within Cocke County. The total population is 779. It ranks as the 331st most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cosby is 34.3 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cosby is $91,563. This is 32% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also 13% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Cosby, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 86.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Cosby was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
27.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% 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 94.4%. Notably, 16.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cosby, 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 Cosby, Tennessee?
Cosby, Tennessee has a population of 779 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cosby, TN?
The median household income in Cosby is $91,563, which is 13% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cosby, TN?
The poverty rate in Cosby is 12.3%. This means approximately 96 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cosby, Tennessee?
Cosby's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cosby, TN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Cosby — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Cosby, Tennessee?
27.0% of adults (25+) in Cosby hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.