Sweetwater city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Sweetwater city, Tennessee has a total population of 6,462, the 94th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $44,661, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 8.6% is notably above the national average.
Sweetwater city Quick Facts
How Sweetwater city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Sweetwater city Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Cities Similar to Sweetwater city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin town | 6,001 | $45,422 | $165,100 | 17.4% | 15.9% |
| Harriman city | 6,021 | $42,183 | $162,500 | 16.4% | 22.8% |
| Pigeon Forge city | 6,345 | $53,839 | $258,700 | 11.5% | 23.0% |
| Newport city | 6,881 | $40,096 | $124,300 | 13.1% | 27.9% |
| Lafayette city | 5,643 | $44,924 | $189,800 | 12.5% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
Sweetwater city is a small city located in Tennessee. The total population is 6,462. It ranks as the 94th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sweetwater city is 43.2 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sweetwater city is $44,661. This is 33% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 43% lower. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 32% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 8.6%. This is 80% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $166,000. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $256,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 54.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% lower than the state average of 67.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Sweetwater city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.5%. The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 15.7%.
Education
17.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 30.4%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sweetwater city, Tennessee is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 504 Census-designated places in Tennessee. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Tennessee city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Sweetwater city, Tennessee?
Sweetwater city, Tennessee has a population of 6,462 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sweetwater city, TN?
The median household income in Sweetwater city is $44,661, which is 43% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Sweetwater city, TN?
The poverty rate in Sweetwater city is 18.2%. This means approximately 1,145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sweetwater city, Tennessee?
Sweetwater city's population is 83.8% White, 4.6% Black, 6.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sweetwater city, TN?
The median home value in Sweetwater city is $166,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Sweetwater city, Tennessee?
17.4% of adults (25+) in Sweetwater city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.