Knoxville city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Knoxville city, Tennessee has a total population of 193,721, the 3rd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $50,994, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Knoxville city is the 3rd largest city in Tennessee with a population of 193,721.
Knoxville city Quick Facts
How Knoxville city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Knoxville city Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Cities Similar to Knoxville city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga city | 182,832 | $61,028 | $259,200 | 35.5% | 17.6% |
| Clarksville city | 171,897 | $66,786 | $236,100 | 30.6% | 12.8% |
| Murfreesboro city | 157,547 | $76,241 | $365,100 | 41.1% | 10.0% |
| Johnson City city | 71,455 | $55,429 | $238,000 | 41.8% | 21.1% |
| Jackson city | 68,098 | $51,552 | $195,000 | 26.6% | 22.7% |
Population Overview
Knoxville city is a major urban center located in Tennessee. The total population is 193,721. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Knoxville city is 33.3 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Knoxville city is $50,994. This is 24% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 49% 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 4.4%. This is 7% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $214,000. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 46.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Knoxville city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.5%.
Education
33.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% higher 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Knoxville city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Knoxville city, Tennessee?
Knoxville city, Tennessee has a population of 193,721 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Knoxville city, TN?
The median household income in Knoxville city is $50,994, which is 35% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Knoxville city, TN?
The poverty rate in Knoxville city is 20.5%. This means approximately 37,812 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Knoxville city, Tennessee?
Knoxville city's population is 70.6% White, 15.5% Black, 7.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Knoxville city, TN?
The median home value in Knoxville city is $214,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Knoxville city, Tennessee?
33.7% of adults (25+) in Knoxville city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.