Haywood County, Tennessee Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Haywood County is located in Tennessee with a total population of 17,672. It is the 73rd most populous county out of 95 in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Haywood County is 43.1 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Haywood County is $43,513. This is 35% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 45% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.8%. This is 66% 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 6.6%. This is 39% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $119,600. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $256,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Haywood County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Haywood County is Black or African American, making up 50.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.0% vs 15.7%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.

Education

13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% 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 82.8%.