Signal Mountain, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
Demographic data: ACS 2020–2024 five-year estimates. Sources and methodology
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Signal Mountain, Tennessee had a total population of 8,860, the 73rd largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $141,008, which is 103% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 103% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Tennessee.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.3% — among the lowest in Tennessee.
- 72.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Tennessee.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Signal Mountain Quick Facts
How Signal Mountain 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 | 8,539 | 8,860 | +3.8% |
| Median household income | $135,287 | $141,008 | No clear change (+4.2%) |
| Median home value¹ | $425,702 | $544,300 | +27.9% |
| Median gross rent | $2,385 | $1,852 | No clear change (-22.4%) |
How Signal Mountain 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: 92.8%
- Black: 0.6%
- Hispanic: 1.2%
- Asian: 1.2%
- Other: 0.5%
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: 0.6%
- HS Diploma: 7.1%
- Some College: 14.4%
- Associate's: 5.1%
- Bachelor's: 40.1%
- Graduate+: 32.6%
Signal Mountain Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Hamilton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | 185,783 | $64,523 | 19.1% | $283,200 |
| East Ridge | 22,070 | $62,247 | 13.1% | $211,100 |
| Soddy-Daisy | 13,231 | $75,113 | 7.3% | $256,600 |
| Middle Valley | 12,187 | $95,000 | 5.1% | $319,400 |
| Red Bank | 12,010 | $63,983 | 12.0% | $269,400 |
| Collegedale | 11,330 | $70,246 | 7.3% | $365,100 |
| Harrison | 8,011 | $89,395 | 3.9% | $307,400 |
| Apison | 4,271 | $129,307 | 12.4% | $459,000 |
| Sale Creek | 2,955 | $53,932 | 5.0% | $299,700 |
| Falling Water | 2,315 | $111,842 | 7.3% | $420,600 |
Cities Similar to Signal Mountain
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson's Station | 8,294 | $132,647 | $700,500 | 61.9% | 3.5% |
| Oakland | 9,979 | $97,798 | $319,100 | 33.1% | 5.8% |
| Tellico Village | 7,414 | $106,875 | $517,200 | 56.7% | 3.3% |
| Harrison | 8,011 | $89,395 | $307,400 | 38.4% | 3.9% |
| Fairview | 10,009 | $91,131 | $390,200 | 35.4% | 11.6% |
Population Overview
Signal Mountain is a small city located in Tennessee, within Hamilton County. The total population is 8,860. It ranks as the 73rd most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Signal Mountain is 44.3 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 12.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Signal Mountain is $141,008. This is 103% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also 75% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.3%. This is 76% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 49% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $544,300. Housing costs are 90% higher than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 87.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Signal Mountain has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.8% of all residents. Asian residents account for 1.2%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
72.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Signal Mountain in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 134% 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 99.4%. Notably, 32.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Signal Mountain, 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 Signal Mountain, Tennessee?
Signal Mountain, Tennessee has a population of 8,860 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Signal Mountain, TN?
The median household income in Signal Mountain is $141,008, which is 75% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Signal Mountain, TN?
The poverty rate in Signal Mountain is 3.3%. This means approximately 290 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Signal Mountain, Tennessee?
Signal Mountain's population is 92.8% White, 0.6% Black, 1.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Signal Mountain, TN?
The median home value in Signal Mountain is $544,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Signal Mountain, Tennessee?
72.8% of adults (25+) in Signal Mountain hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 32.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.