Dresden, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dresden, Tennessee had a total population of 2,943, the 162nd largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $51,000, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
Dresden Quick Facts
How Dresden Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,940 | 2,943 | No clear change (+0.1%) |
| Median household income | $53,074 | $51,000 | No clear change (-3.9%) |
| Median home value¹ | $101,656 | $126,900 | No clear change (+24.8%) |
| Median gross rent | $753 | $725 | No clear change (-3.7%) |
How Dresden Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 98.5%
- Black: 1.3%
- Hispanic: 0.0%
- Asian: 0.0%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 13.8%
- HS Diploma: 53.9%
- Some College: 12.4%
- Associate's: 2.1%
- Bachelor's: 13.1%
- Graduate+: 4.8%
Dresden Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Weakley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin | 10,915 | $43,381 | 26.3% | $198,300 |
| McKenzie | 5,631 | $37,236 | 21.2% | $154,500 |
| Greenfield | 2,264 | $47,368 | 13.5% | $95,300 |
| Gleason | 1,159 | $57,917 | 13.9% | $93,200 |
| Sharon | 1,036 | $33,906 | 10.9% | $99,400 |
| Palmersville | 114 | $45,855 | 0.0% | $96,500 |
| Dukedom | 92 | N/A | 81.5% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Dresden
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale Creek | 2,955 | $53,932 | $299,700 | 16.0% | 5.0% |
| New Tazewell | 2,799 | $53,567 | $183,800 | 11.3% | 12.5% |
| South Pittsburg | 3,013 | $57,865 | $187,100 | 9.4% | 21.8% |
| Bean Station | 3,016 | $44,785 | $164,600 | 14.4% | 18.3% |
| Westmoreland | 2,845 | $59,405 | $241,700 | 16.0% | 13.9% |
Population Overview
Dresden is a small community located in Tennessee, within Weakley County. The total population is 2,943. It ranks as the 162nd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dresden is 48.0 years. This is 23% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 14.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dresden is $51,000. This is 27% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.6%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $126,900. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Dresden is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dresden has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 98.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.3%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 Dresden, 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 Dresden, Tennessee?
Dresden, Tennessee has a population of 2,943 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dresden, TN?
The median household income in Dresden is $51,000, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dresden, TN?
The poverty rate in Dresden is 10.6%. This means approximately 300 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dresden, Tennessee?
Dresden's population is 98.5% White, 1.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dresden, TN?
The median home value in Dresden is $126,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Dresden, Tennessee?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Dresden hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.