South Pittsburg, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Pittsburg, Tennessee had a total population of 3,013, the 159th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $57,865, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.4% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.9% is notably above the national average.
South Pittsburg Quick Facts
How South Pittsburg 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 | 3,040 | 3,013 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $54,347 | $57,865 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $160,700 | $187,100 | +16.4% |
How South Pittsburg 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+)
South Pittsburg Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Marion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasper | 3,612 | $73,013 | 10.1% | $209,000 |
| Whitwell | 2,052 | $67,774 | 9.7% | $140,500 |
| Kimball | 1,639 | $60,543 | 6.9% | $231,400 |
| Powells Crossroads | 1,498 | $67,549 | 4.5% | $187,800 |
| New Hope | 862 | $77,727 | 23.0% | $179,600 |
| Griffith Creek | 586 | N/A | 21.0% | N/A |
| Sequatchie | 359 | $27,679 | 49.0% | N/A |
| Orme | 76 | $47,500 | 28.9% | $53,300 |
| Whiteside | 33 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to South Pittsburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sale Creek | 2,955 | $53,932 | $299,700 | 16.0% | 5.0% |
| Westmoreland | 2,845 | $59,405 | $241,700 | 16.0% | 13.9% |
| Dresden | 2,943 | $51,000 | $126,900 | 17.8% | 10.6% |
| Woodbury | 2,774 | $58,466 | $216,400 | 11.7% | 21.0% |
| Newbern | 3,289 | $58,455 | $99,700 | 24.9% | 18.0% |
Population Overview
South Pittsburg is a small community located in Tennessee, within Marion County. The total population is 3,013. It ranks as the 159th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Pittsburg is 49.5 years. This is 27% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Pittsburg is $57,865. This is 17% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.8%. This is 58% 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 11.9%. This is 154% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $187,100. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 65.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
South Pittsburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 9.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
9.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 70% 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 77.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Pittsburg, 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 South Pittsburg, Tennessee?
South Pittsburg, Tennessee has a population of 3,013 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Pittsburg, TN?
The median household income in South Pittsburg is $57,865, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Pittsburg, TN?
The poverty rate in South Pittsburg is 21.8%. This means approximately 633 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Pittsburg, Tennessee?
South Pittsburg's population is 86.5% White, 9.5% Black, 1.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Pittsburg, TN?
The median home value in South Pittsburg is $187,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is South Pittsburg, Tennessee?
9.4% of adults (25+) in South Pittsburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.