Dayton city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Dayton city, Tennessee has a total population of 7,191, the 86th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $56,692, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.5%.
Dayton city Quick Facts
How Dayton city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dayton city Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Cities Similar to Dayton city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville city | 7,037 | $50,890 | $191,100 | 17.5% | 16.2% |
| Church Hill city | 7,057 | $69,433 | $192,600 | 18.6% | 6.8% |
| Henderson city | 6,349 | $57,727 | $130,100 | 22.3% | 23.6% |
| South Cleveland CDP | 7,748 | $64,607 | $195,700 | 10.2% | 9.0% |
| Pigeon Forge city | 6,345 | $53,839 | $258,700 | 11.5% | 23.0% |
Population Overview
Dayton city is a small city located in Tennessee. The total population is 7,191. It ranks as the 86th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton city is 39.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton city is $56,692. This is 16% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.3%. This is 47% 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 2.5%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $152,200. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $256,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Dayton city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 51.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dayton city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.2%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.2% vs 7.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.8%).
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% 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 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton 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 Dayton city, Tennessee?
Dayton city, Tennessee has a population of 7,191 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton city, TN?
The median household income in Dayton city is $56,692, which is 28% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton city, TN?
The poverty rate in Dayton city is 20.3%. This means approximately 1,373 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton city, Tennessee?
Dayton city's population is 78.1% White, 3.0% Black, 12.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton city, TN?
The median home value in Dayton city is $152,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Dayton city, Tennessee?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Dayton city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.