Pelham, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pelham, Tennessee had a total population of 704, the 345th largest community in Tennessee, with a median household income of $70,096, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 22.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.2% is notably above the national average.
Pelham Quick Facts
How Pelham 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 | 429 | 704 | +64.1% |
| Median household income | $66,667 | $70,096 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $157,100 | $187,500 | +19.4% |
How Pelham 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+)
Pelham Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Grundy County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy City | 1,682 | $39,479 | 24.2% | $136,300 |
| Gruetli-Laager | 1,480 | $47,313 | 10.2% | $154,700 |
| Altamont | 1,322 | $41,373 | 15.9% | $91,900 |
| Coalmont | 906 | $53,917 | 31.2% | $151,400 |
| Palmer | 818 | $56,447 | 14.7% | $78,900 |
| Beersheba Springs | 654 | $72,885 | 19.3% | $101,000 |
Cities Similar to Pelham
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 684 | $68,679 | $105,600 | 8.6% | 13.9% |
| Telford | 731 | $69,200 | $228,600 | 18.2% | 0.0% |
| Stanton | 704 | $61,618 | $172,900 | 16.2% | 14.0% |
| Maury City | 683 | $65,318 | $78,900 | 20.2% | 12.6% |
| Vanleer | 666 | $67,375 | $225,000 | 4.7% | 11.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 704, Pelham's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Pelham is a small community located in Tennessee, within Grundy County. The total population is 704. It ranks as the 345th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pelham is 42.3 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pelham is $70,096. This is about the same as the state median of $69,595. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 61% 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 10.2%. This is 118% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $187,500. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Pelham is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Pelham has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% 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 74.6%. Notably, 20.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pelham, 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 Pelham, Tennessee?
Pelham, Tennessee has a population of 704 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pelham, TN?
The median household income in Pelham is $70,096, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pelham, TN?
The poverty rate in Pelham is 22.2%. This means approximately 150 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pelham, Tennessee?
Pelham's population is 91.8% White, 1.1% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pelham, TN?
The median home value in Pelham is $187,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Pelham, Tennessee?
25.9% of adults (25+) in Pelham hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.