Knoxville, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Knoxville, Tennessee had a total population of 195,185, the 3rd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $54,039, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Knoxville is the 3rd largest city in Tennessee with a population of 195,185.
Knoxville Quick Facts
How Knoxville 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 | 193,721 | 195,185 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $50,994 | $54,039 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $214,000 | $239,700 | +12.0% |
How Knoxville 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Knoxville Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Knox County
Cities Similar to Knoxville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | 185,783 | $64,523 | $283,200 | 36.0% | 19.1% |
| Clarksville | 176,456 | $69,303 | $263,600 | 29.9% | 12.3% |
| Murfreesboro | 161,445 | $80,108 | $402,100 | 43.0% | 8.8% |
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | $268,200 | 42.5% | 20.3% |
| Jackson | 68,435 | $53,032 | $217,800 | 27.8% | 22.2% |
Population Overview
Knoxville is a major urban center located in Tennessee, within Knox County. The total population is 195,185. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Knoxville is 33.5 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Knoxville is $54,039. This is 22% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.2%. This is 47% 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 4.5%. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $239,700. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Knoxville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 70.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 15.7%.
Education
34.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 89.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, Tennessee?
Knoxville, Tennessee has a population of 195,185 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Knoxville, TN?
The median household income in Knoxville is $54,039, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Knoxville, TN?
The poverty rate in Knoxville is 20.2%. This means approximately 37,419 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Knoxville, Tennessee?
Knoxville's population is 70.5% White, 15.7% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Knoxville, TN?
The median home value in Knoxville is $239,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Knoxville, Tennessee?
34.6% of adults (25+) in Knoxville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.