Covington, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Covington, Tennessee had a total population of 8,587, the 74th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $42,254, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.8% is notably above the national average.
Covington Quick Facts
How Covington 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 | 8,612 | 8,587 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $43,512 | $42,254 | -2.9% |
| Median home value | $163,900 | $185,900 | +13.4% |
How Covington 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+)
Covington Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Tipton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atoka | 10,385 | $89,663 | 7.0% | $320,700 |
| Munford | 6,588 | $89,531 | 8.8% | $244,400 |
| Brighton | 2,889 | $80,882 | 14.9% | $214,100 |
| Mason | 1,039 | $47,794 | 31.0% | $138,100 |
| Gilt Edge | 516 | $77,031 | 14.5% | $192,600 |
| Burlison | 398 | $64,250 | 4.8% | $172,700 |
| Garland | 370 | $69,688 | 7.0% | $234,200 |
| Randolph | 252 | $60,568 | 23.0% | $306,800 |
Cities Similar to Covington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | 8,244 | $43,886 | $144,100 | 15.6% | 21.3% |
| Pulaski | 8,285 | $48,538 | $194,400 | 20.8% | 25.7% |
| Brownsville | 9,622 | $43,494 | $158,100 | 14.7% | 25.7% |
| Lexington | 7,962 | $49,057 | $176,000 | 16.5% | 18.4% |
| Ripley | 7,658 | $37,432 | $154,900 | 16.3% | 30.7% |
Population Overview
Covington is a small city located in Tennessee, within Tipton County. The total population is 8,587. It ranks as the 74th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Covington is 40.3 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Covington is $42,254. This is 39% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.3%. This is 113% 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 8.8%. This is 88% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $185,900. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 45.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Covington is Black or African American, making up 55.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 42.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.2% vs 15.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
13.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Covington, 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 Covington, Tennessee?
Covington, Tennessee has a population of 8,587 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Covington, TN?
The median household income in Covington is $42,254, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Covington, TN?
The poverty rate in Covington is 29.3%. This means approximately 2,403 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Covington, Tennessee?
Covington's population is 42.4% White, 55.2% Black, 1.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Covington, TN?
The median home value in Covington is $185,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Covington, Tennessee?
13.7% of adults (25+) in Covington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.