Cowan, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cowan, Tennessee had a total population of 1,934, the 223rd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $46,406, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Cowan Quick Facts
How Cowan 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 | 1,777 | 1,934 | +8.8% |
| Median household income | $37,295 | $46,406 | +24.4% |
| Median home value | $122,500 | $174,500 | +42.4% |
How Cowan 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+)
Cowan Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | 9,799 | $62,782 | 13.5% | $216,900 |
| Decherd | 2,976 | $37,575 | 18.8% | $144,600 |
| Sewanee | 2,936 | $136,111 | 12.0% | $465,500 |
| Estill Springs | 2,695 | $59,205 | 13.6% | $204,000 |
| Monteagle | 1,926 | $63,438 | 13.0% | $309,500 |
| Huntland | 1,532 | $66,308 | 11.6% | $183,100 |
| Belvidere | 82 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sherwood | 43 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Cowan
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Cleveland | 1,934 | $48,878 | $124,100 | 0.0% | 26.5% |
| Decatur | 1,898 | $42,578 | $220,900 | 11.2% | 34.3% |
| Hunter | 1,918 | $51,815 | $169,500 | 16.6% | 13.7% |
| Halls | 2,034 | $43,750 | $137,200 | 9.0% | 16.6% |
| Surgoinsville | 1,911 | $53,854 | $189,100 | 21.5% | 17.0% |
Population Overview
Cowan is a small community located in Tennessee, within Franklin County. The total population is 1,934. It ranks as the 223rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cowan is 35.6 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 32.1% of the population under 18, Cowan has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cowan is $46,406. This is 33% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.8%. This is 124% 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 10.5%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $174,500. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 59.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cowan is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cowan, 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 Cowan, Tennessee?
Cowan, Tennessee has a population of 1,934 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cowan, TN?
The median household income in Cowan is $46,406, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cowan, TN?
The poverty rate in Cowan is 30.8%. This means approximately 590 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cowan, Tennessee?
Cowan's population is 82.3% White, 12.7% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cowan, TN?
The median home value in Cowan is $174,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Cowan, Tennessee?
13.3% of adults (25+) in Cowan hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.