Erwin, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Erwin, Tennessee had a total population of 5,988, the 102nd largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $47,487, which is 32% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 32% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Erwin Quick Facts
How Erwin 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 | 6,001 | 5,988 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $45,422 | $47,487 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $165,100 | $180,900 | +9.6% |
How Erwin 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+)
Erwin Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Unicoi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unicoi | 3,806 | $42,424 | 21.3% | $244,300 |
| Banner Hill | 1,211 | $59,784 | 28.4% | $116,300 |
Cities Similar to Erwin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harriman | 6,090 | $44,653 | $153,200 | 14.6% | 21.2% |
| Dunlap | 5,678 | $45,589 | $192,100 | 16.2% | 34.3% |
| Rockwood | 5,566 | $47,791 | $128,700 | 8.8% | 22.1% |
| Henderson | 6,411 | $45,938 | $147,900 | 22.7% | 24.1% |
| Lafayette | 5,727 | $51,736 | $213,900 | 11.8% | 27.6% |
Population Overview
Erwin is a small city located in Tennessee, within Unicoi County. The total population is 5,988. It ranks as the 102nd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Erwin is 44.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 11.7% 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 Erwin is $47,487. This is 32% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.6%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $180,900. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Erwin has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.6%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
18.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Erwin, 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 Erwin, Tennessee?
Erwin, Tennessee has a population of 5,988 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Erwin, TN?
The median household income in Erwin is $47,487, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Erwin, TN?
The poverty rate in Erwin is 12.6%. This means approximately 730 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Erwin, Tennessee?
Erwin's population is 90.0% White, 0.5% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Erwin, TN?
The median home value in Erwin is $180,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Erwin, Tennessee?
18.1% of adults (25+) in Erwin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.