Iron City, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Iron City, Tennessee had a total population of 282, the 433rd largest community in Tennessee. The poverty rate is 47.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (47.3%), 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 11.5% is notably above the national average.
Iron City Quick Facts
How Iron City 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 | 226 | 282 | +24.8% |
| Median home value | $54,700 | $41,000 | -25.0% |
How Iron City 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+)
Iron City Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Lawrence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrenceburg | 11,844 | $42,343 | 21.5% | $184,600 |
| Loretto | 1,731 | $55,592 | 8.6% | $161,900 |
| St. Joseph | 783 | $49,112 | 13.8% | $171,300 |
| Summertown | 733 | $89,688 | 1.4% | $213,500 |
| Ethridge | 419 | $45,313 | 4.8% | $178,300 |
| Leoma | 374 | $87,569 | 1.3% | $401,700 |
| Westpoint | 139 | N/A | 21.6% | $130,000 |
Cities Similar to Iron City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graball | 288 | $88,320 | $407,100 | 42.1% | 0.0% |
| Counce | 276 | $54,565 | $159,200 | 5.3% | 0.0% |
| Hickman | 276 | N/A | $432,400 | 40.3% | 26.1% |
| Bethpage | 289 | $100,859 | $218,600 | 0.0% | 6.9% |
| Toone | 289 | $37,063 | $82,500 | 5.9% | 45.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 282, Iron City's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Iron City is a small community located in Tennessee, within Lawrence County. The total population is 282. It ranks as the 433rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Iron City is 33.2 years. This is 15% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 32.3% of the population under 18, Iron City has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 13.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 47.3%. This is 244% 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 11.5%. This is 147% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $41,000. Housing costs are 86% lower than the state median of $286,700. 80.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Iron City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
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 85.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Iron City, 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 Iron City, Tennessee?
Iron City, Tennessee has a population of 282 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Iron City, TN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Iron City — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Iron City, TN?
The poverty rate in Iron City is 47.3%. This means approximately 114 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Iron City, Tennessee?
Iron City's population is 81.9% White, 0.0% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Iron City, TN?
The median home value in Iron City is $41,000.
How educated is Iron City, Tennessee?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Iron City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.