Oak Ridge, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Oak Ridge, Tennessee had a total population of 32,693, the 25th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $72,311, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Key Takeaways
- 40.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Tennessee.
Oak Ridge Quick Facts
How Oak Ridge 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 | 29,037 | 32,693 | +12.6% |
| Median household income | $67,972 | $72,311 | No clear change (+6.4%) |
| Median home value¹ | $191,744 | $270,200 | +40.9% |
| Median gross rent | $992 | $1,131 | +14.0% |
How Oak Ridge 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: 79.3%
- Black: 5.8%
- Hispanic: 6.9%
- Asian: 2.6%
- Other: 0.6%
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: 7.3%
- HS Diploma: 21.5%
- Some College: 20.7%
- Associate's: 10.3%
- Bachelor's: 22.1%
- Graduate+: 18.1%
Oak Ridge Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Anderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 10,239 | $68,882 | 12.7% | $225,000 |
| Oliver Springs | 3,281 | $51,183 | 17.0% | $180,900 |
| Rocky Top | 1,607 | $32,868 | 36.6% | $149,100 |
| Norris | 1,485 | $75,515 | 6.6% | $315,900 |
| Andersonville | 353 | N/A | 22.7% | $340,400 |
| Briceville | 175 | N/A | 25.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Oak Ridge
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryville | 32,392 | $81,963 | $358,100 | 38.5% | 6.7% |
| Morristown | 31,527 | $47,917 | $181,100 | 15.0% | 26.0% |
| La Vergne | 40,243 | $81,313 | $309,900 | 23.7% | 15.1% |
| Cookeville | 36,088 | $51,375 | $305,400 | 34.8% | 23.5% |
| Bristol | 27,636 | $58,162 | $194,500 | 30.6% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Oak Ridge is a mid-sized community located in Tennessee, within Anderson County. The total population is 32,693. It ranks as the 25th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Oak Ridge is 39.3 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Oak Ridge is $72,311. This is 4% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $270,200. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 65.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Oak Ridge is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Black or African American population (5.8%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
40.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Oak Ridge in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 30% 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 92.7%. Notably, 18.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, Tennessee?
Oak Ridge, Tennessee has a population of 32,693 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Oak Ridge, TN?
The median household income in Oak Ridge is $72,311, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Oak Ridge, TN?
The poverty rate in Oak Ridge is 12.2%. This means approximately 3,924 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Oak Ridge, Tennessee?
Oak Ridge's population is 79.3% White, 5.8% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Oak Ridge, TN?
The median home value in Oak Ridge is $270,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Oak Ridge, Tennessee?
40.2% of adults (25+) in Oak Ridge hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.