Sewanee, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sewanee, Tennessee had a total population of 2,936, the 163rd largest community in Tennessee, with a median household income of $136,111, which is 96% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.0%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 96% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Tennessee.
- 77.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Tennessee.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Sewanee Quick Facts
How Sewanee 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 | 2,505 | 2,936 | +17.2% |
| Median household income | $96,576 | $136,111 | No clear change (+40.9%) |
| Median home value¹ | $331,676 | $465,500 | +40.3% |
| Median gross rent | $1,131 | $1,173 | No clear change (+3.7%) |
How Sewanee 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: 86.3%
- Black: 4.6%
- Hispanic: 5.2%
- Asian: 0.9%
- Other: 0.0%
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+)
- < High School: 3.1%
- HS Diploma: 8.9%
- Some College: 10.5%
- Associate's: 0.0%
- Bachelor's: 31.9%
- Graduate+: 45.7%
Sewanee Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Franklin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | 9,799 | $62,782 | 13.5% | $216,900 |
| Decherd | 2,976 | $37,575 | 18.8% | $144,600 |
| Estill Springs | 2,695 | $59,205 | 13.6% | $204,000 |
| Cowan | 1,934 | $46,406 | 30.8% | $174,500 |
| Monteagle | 1,926 | $63,438 | 13.0% | $309,500 |
| Huntland | 1,532 | $66,308 | 11.6% | $183,100 |
| Belvidere | 82 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sherwood | 43 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Sewanee
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piperton | 2,569 | $130,100 | $618,800 | 46.0% | 4.6% |
| Kingston Springs | 2,791 | $103,250 | $426,500 | 42.3% | 5.6% |
| Park City | 2,813 | $95,417 | $216,700 | 14.9% | 4.7% |
| Coalfield | 2,754 | $90,104 | $190,200 | 37.0% | 10.7% |
| Brighton | 2,889 | $80,882 | $214,100 | 20.4% | 14.9% |
Population Overview
Sewanee is a small community located in Tennessee, within Franklin County. The total population is 2,936. It ranks as the 163rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sewanee is 21.5 years. This is 45% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 5.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sewanee is $136,111. This is 96% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also 69% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.0%. This is 13% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $465,500. Housing costs are 62% higher than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 81.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sewanee has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.2%. The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
77.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Sewanee in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 150% higher 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 96.9%. Notably, 45.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sewanee, 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 Sewanee, Tennessee?
Sewanee, Tennessee has a population of 2,936 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sewanee, TN?
The median household income in Sewanee is $136,111, which is 69% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sewanee, TN?
The poverty rate in Sewanee is 12.0%. This means approximately 125 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sewanee, Tennessee?
Sewanee's population is 86.3% White, 4.6% Black, 5.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sewanee, TN?
The median home value in Sewanee is $465,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Sewanee, Tennessee?
77.5% of adults (25+) in Sewanee hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 45.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.