Ripley, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ripley, Tennessee had a total population of 7,658, the 82nd largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $37,432, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.7%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.2% is notably above the national average.
Ripley Quick Facts
How Ripley 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 | 7,947 | 7,658 | -3.6% |
| Median household income | $41,269 | $37,432 | No clear change (-9.3%) |
| Median home value¹ | $106,702 | $154,900 | +45.2% |
| Median gross rent | $857 | $800 | No clear change (-6.6%) |
How Ripley 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: 39.1%
- Black: 50.8%
- Hispanic: 3.8%
- Asian: 0.1%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 16.3%
- HS Diploma: 46.6%
- Some College: 16.6%
- Associate's: 4.2%
- Bachelor's: 11.3%
- Graduate+: 5.1%
Ripley Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Lauderdale County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halls (Lauderdale County) | 2,034 | $43,750 | 16.6% | $137,200 |
| Henning | 977 | $40,781 | 34.0% | $72,500 |
| Gates | 619 | $51,146 | 28.6% | $96,300 |
Cities Similar to Ripley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Follette | 7,273 | $37,581 | $138,900 | 7.0% | 28.2% |
| Savannah | 7,412 | $39,712 | $160,200 | 12.6% | 29.8% |
| Dayton | 7,625 | $49,719 | $214,900 | 22.6% | 22.2% |
| Milan | 8,244 | $43,886 | $144,100 | 15.6% | 21.3% |
| Lexington | 7,962 | $49,057 | $176,000 | 16.5% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Ripley is a small city located in Tennessee, within Lauderdale County. The total population is 7,658. It ranks as the 82nd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ripley is 33.3 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ripley is $37,432. This is 46% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 54% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.7%. This is 123% 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 8.2%. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $154,900. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 45.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ripley is Black or African American, making up 50.8% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 39.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (50.8% vs 15.4%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% 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 83.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ripley, 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 Ripley, Tennessee?
Ripley, Tennessee has a population of 7,658 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ripley, TN?
The median household income in Ripley is $37,432, which is 54% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ripley, TN?
The poverty rate in Ripley is 30.7%. This means approximately 2,274 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ripley, Tennessee?
Ripley's population is 39.1% White, 50.8% Black, 3.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ripley, TN?
The median home value in Ripley is $154,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Ripley, Tennessee?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Ripley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.