East Cleveland, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, East Cleveland, Tennessee had a total population of 1,934, the 223rd largest community in Tennessee, with a median household income of $48,878, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.5%.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 16.6% is notably above the national average.
East Cleveland Quick Facts
How East Cleveland 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 | 2,019 | 1,934 | No clear change (-4.2%) |
| Median household income | $32,389 | $48,878 | +50.9% |
| Median home value¹ | $85,534 | $124,100 | No clear change (+45.1%) |
| Median gross rent | $880 | $911 | No clear change (+3.5%) |
How East Cleveland 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: 78.7%
- Black: 8.6%
- Hispanic: 9.7%
- 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: 22.8%
- HS Diploma: 51.8%
- Some College: 22.8%
- Associate's: 2.6%
- Bachelor's: 0.0%
- Graduate+: 0.0%
East Cleveland Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Bradley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 48,829 | $58,559 | 16.7% | $272,200 |
| South Cleveland | 7,452 | $66,601 | 10.2% | $232,600 |
| Wildwood Lake | 3,495 | $62,722 | 15.0% | $231,700 |
| Hopewell | 2,634 | $87,842 | 18.7% | $305,600 |
| Charleston | 956 | $72,763 | 9.3% | $217,400 |
| McDonald | 712 | $95,698 | 4.9% | $214,100 |
Cities Similar to East Cleveland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowan | 1,934 | $46,406 | $174,500 | 13.3% | 30.8% |
| Hunter | 1,918 | $51,815 | $169,500 | 16.6% | 13.7% |
| Surgoinsville | 1,911 | $53,854 | $189,100 | 21.5% | 17.0% |
| Englewood | 1,818 | $51,094 | $140,000 | 6.8% | 21.2% |
| Troy | 1,827 | $51,711 | $114,800 | 20.3% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
East Cleveland is a small community located in Tennessee, within Bradley County. The total population is 1,934. It ranks as the 223rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in East Cleveland is 37.6 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in East Cleveland is $48,878. This is 30% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.5%. This is 92% 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 16.6%. This is 254% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $124,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, East Cleveland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 35.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in East Cleveland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.7%.
Education
0.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 77.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for East Cleveland, 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 East Cleveland, Tennessee?
East Cleveland, Tennessee has a population of 1,934 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in East Cleveland, TN?
The median household income in East Cleveland is $48,878, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in East Cleveland, TN?
The poverty rate in East Cleveland is 26.5%. This means approximately 512 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of East Cleveland, Tennessee?
East Cleveland's population is 78.7% White, 8.6% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in East Cleveland, TN?
The median home value in East Cleveland is $124,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is East Cleveland, Tennessee?
0.0% of adults (25+) in East Cleveland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.