Ripley city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Ripley city, Tennessee has a total population of 7,718, the 83rd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $39,047, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Ripley city Quick Facts
How Ripley city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Ripley city Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Cities Similar to Ripley city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt city | 7,799 | $42,873 | $111,300 | 13.9% | 17.2% |
| Savannah city | 7,219 | $41,396 | $163,100 | 12.9% | 25.9% |
| La Follette city | 7,308 | $34,678 | $106,000 | 7.2% | 30.7% |
| Newport city | 6,881 | $40,096 | $124,300 | 13.1% | 27.9% |
| Milan city | 8,194 | $45,608 | $121,400 | 13.5% | 18.9% |
Population Overview
Ripley city is a small city located in Tennessee. The total population is 7,718. It ranks as the 83rd most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ripley city is 36.3 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ripley city is $39,047. This is 42% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 50% lower. The poverty rate stands at 28.7%. This is 109% 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 69% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $152,200. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 43.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ripley city is Black or African American, making up 54.9% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.9% vs 15.7%). The Hispanic or Latino population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
13.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ripley city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Ripley city, Tennessee?
Ripley city, Tennessee has a population of 7,718 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ripley city, TN?
The median household income in Ripley city is $39,047, which is 50% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Ripley city, TN?
The poverty rate in Ripley city is 28.7%. This means approximately 2,146 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ripley city, Tennessee?
Ripley city's population is 38.7% White, 54.9% Black, 1.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ripley city, TN?
The median home value in Ripley city is $152,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Ripley city, Tennessee?
13.5% of adults (25+) in Ripley city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.