Dowelltown, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dowelltown, Tennessee had a total population of 434, the 398th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $35,313, which is 49% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 49% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.4% is notably above the national average.
Dowelltown Quick Facts
How Dowelltown 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 | 382 | 434 | +13.6% |
| Median household income | $37,917 | $35,313 | -6.9% |
| Median home value | $155,100 | $155,700 | +0.4% |
How Dowelltown 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+)
Dowelltown Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in DeKalb County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smithville | 5,288 | $33,192 | 33.4% | $194,200 |
| Alexandria | 1,136 | $50,116 | 23.6% | $220,100 |
| Liberty | 406 | $45,781 | 14.9% | $186,500 |
Cities Similar to Dowelltown
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducktown | 456 | N/A | $172,100 | 12.9% | 36.9% |
| Pocahontas | 391 | N/A | $116,700 | 16.1% | 3.1% |
| Cottontown | 374 | N/A | $441,700 | 34.6% | 3.7% |
| Ethridge | 419 | $45,313 | $178,300 | 18.6% | 4.8% |
| Mayland | 365 | N/A | $103,900 | 0.0% | 11.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 434, Dowelltown's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Dowelltown is a small community located in Tennessee, within DeKalb County. The total population is 434. It ranks as the 398th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dowelltown is 33.9 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dowelltown is $35,313. This is 49% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.4%. This is 143% 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 10.4%. This is 121% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $155,700. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 65.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dowelltown has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The Black or African American population (4.2%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
8.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dowelltown, 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 Dowelltown, Tennessee?
Dowelltown, Tennessee has a population of 434 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dowelltown, TN?
The median household income in Dowelltown is $35,313, which is 56% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dowelltown, TN?
The poverty rate in Dowelltown is 33.4%. This means approximately 145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dowelltown, Tennessee?
Dowelltown's population is 88.5% White, 4.2% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dowelltown, TN?
The median home value in Dowelltown is $155,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Dowelltown, Tennessee?
8.0% of adults (25+) in Dowelltown hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.