Dayton, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dayton, Tennessee had a total population of 7,625, the 83rd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $49,719, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Dayton Quick Facts
How Dayton 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 | 7,191 | 7,625 | +6.0% |
| Median household income | $56,692 | $49,719 | -12.3% |
| Median home value | $152,200 | $214,900 | +41.2% |
How Dayton 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+)
Dayton Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Rhea County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring City | 2,358 | $38,975 | 18.3% | $166,700 |
| Graysville | 1,304 | $40,000 | 23.7% | $104,700 |
Cities Similar to Dayton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | 7,962 | $49,057 | $176,000 | 16.5% | 18.4% |
| Humboldt | 7,787 | $52,917 | $102,300 | 16.6% | 13.3% |
| Fayetteville | 7,057 | $49,223 | $230,800 | 19.4% | 16.9% |
| Pulaski | 8,285 | $48,538 | $194,400 | 20.8% | 25.7% |
| Milan | 8,244 | $43,886 | $144,100 | 15.6% | 21.3% |
Population Overview
Dayton is a small city located in Tennessee, within Rhea County. The total population is 7,625. It ranks as the 83rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dayton is 40.3 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dayton is $49,719. This is 29% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 61% 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 1.3%. This is 71% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $214,900. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 45.6% 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 Dayton is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.2%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.2% vs 7.4%).
Education
22.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 79.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dayton, 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 Dayton, Tennessee?
Dayton, Tennessee has a population of 7,625 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dayton, TN?
The median household income in Dayton is $49,719, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dayton, TN?
The poverty rate in Dayton is 22.2%. This means approximately 1,619 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dayton, Tennessee?
Dayton's population is 81.8% White, 3.1% Black, 12.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dayton, TN?
The median home value in Dayton is $214,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Dayton, Tennessee?
22.6% of adults (25+) in Dayton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.