Hardin County, Tennessee Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Hardin County is located in Tennessee with a total population of 26,939. It is the 55th most populous county out of 95 in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hardin County is 45.4 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hardin County is $49,149. This is 27% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 37% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 51% 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 4.3%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $154,000. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 78.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Hardin County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.0% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population (3.0%) is well below the state average of 15.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.4%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

14.8% 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 84.4%.