Ridgely, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ridgely, Tennessee had a total population of 1,796, the 240th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $24,390, which is 65% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 43.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 65% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Ridgely Quick Facts
How Ridgely 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 | 1,723 | 1,796 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $24,412 | $24,390 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $74,500 | $83,300 | +11.8% |
How Ridgely 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ridgely Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiptonville | 3,572 | $23,027 | 38.4% | $106,500 |
| Wynnburg | 16 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ridgely
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | 1,814 | $31,313 | $201,100 | 13.9% | 30.9% |
| Celina | 1,941 | $32,220 | $203,200 | 10.2% | 28.0% |
| Benton | 1,560 | $29,414 | $184,200 | 12.0% | 22.7% |
| Rocky Top | 1,607 | $32,868 | $149,100 | 6.2% | 36.6% |
| Sneedville | 1,364 | $24,500 | $151,000 | 7.0% | 48.4% |
Population Overview
Ridgely is a small community located in Tennessee, within Lake County. The total population is 1,796. It ranks as the 240th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ridgely is 35.8 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Ridgely has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ridgely is $24,390. This is 65% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 70% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 43.6%. This is 217% 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 8.0%. This is 72% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $83,300. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 41.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 38% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ridgely is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
12.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 61% 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 65.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ridgely, 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 Ridgely, Tennessee?
Ridgely, Tennessee has a population of 1,796 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ridgely, TN?
The median household income in Ridgely is $24,390, which is 70% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ridgely, TN?
The poverty rate in Ridgely is 43.6%. This means approximately 738 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ridgely, Tennessee?
Ridgely's population is 69.9% White, 22.3% Black, 1.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ridgely, TN?
The median home value in Ridgely is $83,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Ridgely, Tennessee?
12.1% of adults (25+) in Ridgely hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.