Rockwood, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Rockwood, Tennessee had a total population of 5,566, the 108th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $47,791, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 10.5% is notably above the national average.
Rockwood Quick Facts
How Rockwood 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 | 5,510 | 5,566 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $37,867 | $47,791 | +26.2% |
| Median home value | $132,100 | $128,700 | -2.6% |
How Rockwood 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+)
Rockwood Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Roane County
Cities Similar to Rockwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunlap | 5,678 | $45,589 | $192,100 | 16.2% | 34.3% |
| Lafayette | 5,727 | $51,736 | $213,900 | 11.8% | 27.6% |
| Erwin | 5,988 | $47,487 | $180,900 | 18.1% | 12.6% |
| Harriman | 6,090 | $44,653 | $153,200 | 14.6% | 21.2% |
| McKenzie | 5,631 | $37,236 | $154,500 | 20.0% | 21.2% |
Population Overview
Rockwood is a small city located in Tennessee, within Roane County. The total population is 5,566. It ranks as the 108th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Rockwood is 47.2 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Rockwood is $47,791. This is 31% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 41% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 22.1%. This is 60% 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 10.5%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $128,700. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Rockwood is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Rockwood has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.1%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
8.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 72% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Rockwood, 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 Rockwood, Tennessee?
Rockwood, Tennessee has a population of 5,566 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Rockwood, TN?
The median household income in Rockwood is $47,791, which is 41% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Rockwood, TN?
The poverty rate in Rockwood is 22.1%. This means approximately 1,207 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Rockwood, Tennessee?
Rockwood's population is 90.3% White, 1.0% Black, 4.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Rockwood, TN?
The median home value in Rockwood is $128,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Rockwood, Tennessee?
8.8% of adults (25+) in Rockwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.