Monterey, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Monterey, Tennessee had a total population of 2,768, the 171st largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $45,922, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.2%.
Monterey Quick Facts
How Monterey 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 | 2,751 | 2,768 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $42,402 | $45,922 | +8.3% |
| Median home value | $130,600 | $165,000 | +26.3% |
How Monterey 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+)
Monterey Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Putnam County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookeville | 36,088 | $51,375 | 23.5% | $305,400 |
| Algood | 4,036 | $42,359 | 32.9% | $190,300 |
| Baxter | 1,361 | $58,750 | 20.5% | $219,000 |
Cities Similar to Monterey
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 2,660 | $43,571 | $122,100 | 4.6% | 39.5% |
| New Tazewell | 2,799 | $53,567 | $183,800 | 11.3% | 12.5% |
| Maynardville | 2,528 | $46,106 | $205,400 | 6.8% | 21.7% |
| Tazewell | 2,902 | $41,836 | $196,800 | 19.4% | 33.1% |
| Bean Station | 3,016 | $44,785 | $164,600 | 14.4% | 18.3% |
Population Overview
Monterey is a small community located in Tennessee, within Putnam County. The total population is 2,768. It ranks as the 171st most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Monterey is 27.0 years. This is 31% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 35.7% of the population under 18, Monterey has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Monterey is $45,922. This is 34% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.9%. This is 118% 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 2.2%. This is 53% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $165,000. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 58.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Monterey is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.6%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.6% vs 7.4%).
Education
9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 79.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Monterey, 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 Monterey, Tennessee?
Monterey, Tennessee has a population of 2,768 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Monterey, TN?
The median household income in Monterey is $45,922, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Monterey, TN?
The poverty rate in Monterey is 29.9%. This means approximately 805 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Monterey, Tennessee?
Monterey's population is 83.1% White, 0.6% Black, 15.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Monterey, TN?
The median home value in Monterey is $165,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Monterey, Tennessee?
9.6% of adults (25+) in Monterey hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.