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Cowan city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026

High PovertyPoverty rate of 38.7% is well above the state average

As of 2026, Cowan city, Tennessee has a total population of 1,777, the 238th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $37,295, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.7%.

Key Takeaways

Cowan city Quick Facts

Population 1,777
Median Household Income $37,295
Median Home Value $122,500
Poverty Rate 38.7%
Unemployment Rate 12.7%
Median Age 36.8 years
Homeownership Rate 56.0%
Affordability Ratio 3.3x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 11.8%
High School Graduation Rate 80.8%
Diversity Index 27/100
Population 1,777 238th of 504
Median Income $37,295 bottom 10%
Poverty Rate 38.7% 211% higher national
Median Home Value $122,500 bottom 30%

How Cowan city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

12.7% Unemployment Rate State: 4.7% | National: 5.2%
46.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 56.0%
Renter 44.0%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.3x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

27out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 46 | National average: 60

Education

Cowan city Rankings in Tennessee

#238 Population of 504
#426 Median Income of 504
#355 Education of 504
#365 Home Value of 504

Cities Similar to Cowan city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Hampton CDP1,695$36,715$97,20011.7%26.8%
Celina city1,782$33,430$167,60014.2%24.4%
Jellico city1,821$41,111$143,00019.5%24.8%
Tracy City town1,924$38,250$116,00014.3%19.8%
Bon Aqua Junction CDP1,877$33,295$174,8007.7%21.9%

Population Overview

Cowan city is a small community located in Tennessee. The total population is 1,777. It ranks as the 238th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Cowan city is 36.8 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 31.2% of the population under 18, Cowan city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Cowan city is $37,295. This is 44% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 53% lower. The poverty rate stands at 38.7%. This is 181% 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 12.7%. This is 167% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $122,500. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 56.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Cowan city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

11.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 80.8%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Cowan city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Cowan city, Tennessee?

Cowan city, Tennessee has a population of 1,777 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Cowan city, TN?

The median household income in Cowan city is $37,295, which is 53% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Cowan city, TN?

The poverty rate in Cowan city is 38.7%. This means approximately 683 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Cowan city, Tennessee?

Cowan city's population is 84.8% White, 9.3% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.

What is the median home value in Cowan city, TN?

The median home value in Cowan city is $122,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.

How educated is Cowan city, Tennessee?

11.8% of adults (25+) in Cowan city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.