Karns, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Karns, Tennessee had a total population of 4,115, the 134th largest community in Tennessee, with a median household income of $100,043, which is 44% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Tennessee.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.8% — among the lowest in Tennessee.
- 43.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Tennessee.
- Unemployment rate of 9.5% is notably above the national average.
Karns Quick Facts
How Karns 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 | 3,835 | 4,115 | +7.3% |
| Median household income | $101,161 | $100,043 | -1.1% |
| Median home value | $284,700 | $328,600 | +15.4% |
How Karns 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+)
Karns Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Knox County
Cities Similar to Karns
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | 4,383 | $89,744 | $379,900 | 38.9% | 11.8% |
| Christiana | 4,777 | $100,683 | $361,900 | 30.1% | 4.9% |
| Apison | 4,271 | $129,307 | $459,000 | 39.0% | 12.4% |
| White Bluff | 4,080 | $69,483 | $279,900 | 13.7% | 10.2% |
| Shackle Island | 4,404 | $130,125 | $540,400 | 34.8% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Karns is a small community located in Tennessee, within Knox County. The total population is 4,115. It ranks as the 134th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Karns is 33.6 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 30.8% of the population under 18, Karns has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Karns is $100,043. This is 44% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also 24% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.8%. This is 73% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 9.5%. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $328,600. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 77.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Karns has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
43.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Karns in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 40% higher 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 95.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Karns, 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 Karns, Tennessee?
Karns, Tennessee has a population of 4,115 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Karns, TN?
The median household income in Karns is $100,043, which is 24% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Karns, TN?
The poverty rate in Karns is 3.8%. This means approximately 155 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Karns, Tennessee?
Karns's population is 86.7% White, 2.9% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Karns, TN?
The median home value in Karns is $328,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x.
How educated is Karns, Tennessee?
43.5% of adults (25+) in Karns hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.