Murfreesboro, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Murfreesboro, Tennessee had a total population of 161,445, the 6th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $80,108, which is 15% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 43.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Tennessee.
Murfreesboro Quick Facts
How Murfreesboro 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 | 157,547 | 161,445 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $76,241 | $80,108 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $365,100 | $402,100 | +10.1% |
How Murfreesboro 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Murfreesboro Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Rutherford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smyrna | 56,692 | $81,926 | 12.5% | $358,300 |
| La Vergne | 40,243 | $81,313 | 15.1% | $309,900 |
| Christiana | 4,777 | $100,683 | 4.9% | $361,900 |
| Rockvale | 1,611 | $86,404 | 14.7% | $449,500 |
| Eagleville | 999 | $88,317 | 9.3% | $416,700 |
| Walterhill | 113 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Murfreesboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville | 176,456 | $69,303 | $263,600 | 29.9% | 12.3% |
| Chattanooga | 185,783 | $64,523 | $283,200 | 36.0% | 19.1% |
| Knoxville | 195,185 | $54,039 | $239,700 | 34.6% | 20.2% |
| Franklin | 87,133 | $119,528 | $705,400 | 64.5% | 4.7% |
| Johnson City | 72,222 | $57,254 | $268,200 | 42.5% | 20.3% |
Population Overview
Murfreesboro is a major urban center located in Tennessee, within Rutherford County. The total population is 161,445. It ranks as the 6th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Murfreesboro is 31.6 years. This is 19% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Murfreesboro is $80,108. This is 15% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 36% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 9% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $402,100. Housing costs are 40% higher than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 52.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Murfreesboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 16.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.7% vs 1.9%).
Education
43.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Murfreesboro in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 38% 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 94.3%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Murfreesboro, 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 Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
Murfreesboro, Tennessee has a population of 161,445 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Murfreesboro, TN?
The median household income in Murfreesboro is $80,108, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Murfreesboro, TN?
The poverty rate in Murfreesboro is 8.8%. This means approximately 13,762 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
Murfreesboro's population is 62.9% White, 16.2% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Murfreesboro, TN?
The median home value in Murfreesboro is $402,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Murfreesboro, Tennessee?
43.0% of adults (25+) in Murfreesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.