Decatur County, Tennessee Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Decatur County is located in Tennessee with a total population of 11,499. It is the 87th most populous county out of 95 in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Decatur County is 45.9 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Decatur County is $46,190. This is 31% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 41% lower. The poverty rate stands at 21.6%. This is 57% 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 8.3%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $133,900. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $256,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Decatur County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Decatur County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The Black or African American population (3.1%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 7.1%.

Education

15.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 84.2%.