La Follette, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, La Follette, Tennessee had a total population of 7,273, the 87th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $37,581, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 7.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
La Follette Quick Facts
How La Follette Changed
Change from the non-overlapping 2015–2019 ACS period to 2020–2024. Earlier dollar figures are adjusted to 2024 dollars; changes marked “no clear change” are within the combined 90% margins of error.
| Metric | 2015–2019 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,857 | 7,273 | +6.1% |
| Median household income | $37,999 | $37,581 | No clear change (-1.1%) |
| Median home value¹ | $94,765 | $138,900 | +46.6% |
| Median gross rent | $756 | $696 | No clear change (-7.9%) |
How La Follette Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
- White: 92.1%
- Black: 0.8%
- Hispanic: 3.8%
- Asian: 0.2%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 20.0%
- HS Diploma: 48.9%
- Some College: 18.9%
- Associate's: 5.2%
- Bachelor's: 4.2%
- Graduate+: 2.8%
La Follette Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Campbell County
Cities Similar to La Follette
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah | 7,412 | $39,712 | $160,200 | 12.6% | 29.8% |
| Ripley | 7,658 | $37,432 | $154,900 | 16.3% | 30.7% |
| Newport | 6,881 | $31,250 | $133,500 | 9.1% | 27.2% |
| Fayetteville | 7,057 | $49,223 | $230,800 | 19.4% | 16.9% |
| Dayton | 7,625 | $49,719 | $214,900 | 22.6% | 22.2% |
Population Overview
La Follette is a small city located in Tennessee, within Campbell County. The total population is 7,273. It ranks as the 87th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in La Follette is 38.2 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in La Follette is $37,581. This is 46% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.2%. This is 105% 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 7.5%. This is 59% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $138,900. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 40.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
La Follette has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.8%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
7.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 78% lower 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 80.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for La Follette, 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 La Follette, Tennessee?
La Follette, Tennessee has a population of 7,273 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in La Follette, TN?
The median household income in La Follette is $37,581, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in La Follette, TN?
The poverty rate in La Follette is 28.2%. This means approximately 1,990 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of La Follette, Tennessee?
La Follette's population is 92.1% White, 0.8% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in La Follette, TN?
The median home value in La Follette is $138,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is La Follette, Tennessee?
7.0% of adults (25+) in La Follette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.