Tellico Plains, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Tellico Plains, Tennessee had a total population of 1,146, the 287th largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $45,625, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Tellico Plains Quick Facts
How Tellico Plains 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 | 1,124 | 1,146 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $43,859 | $45,625 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $168,000 | $187,500 | +11.6% |
How Tellico Plains 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+)
Tellico Plains Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Monroe County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madisonville | 5,241 | $39,878 | 18.1% | $234,400 |
| Kahite | 892 | $119,286 | 4.7% | $667,900 |
| Coker Creek | 155 | N/A | 63.2% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Tellico Plains
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Sevier | 1,177 | $46,776 | $144,200 | 12.7% | 13.3% |
| Lakewood Park | 1,140 | $42,576 | N/A | 10.7% | 33.8% |
| Linden | 1,122 | $47,689 | $103,300 | 12.0% | 26.6% |
| Luttrell | 1,158 | $41,742 | $154,000 | 7.8% | 22.0% |
| Alexandria | 1,136 | $50,116 | $220,100 | 15.8% | 23.6% |
Population Overview
Tellico Plains is a small community located in Tennessee, within Monroe County. The total population is 1,146. It ranks as the 287th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Tellico Plains is 34.7 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.9 years. With 34.9% of the population under 18, Tellico Plains has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Tellico Plains is $45,625. This is 34% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.8%. This is 116% 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 7.4%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $187,500. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Tellico Plains has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 88.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Tellico Plains, 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 Tellico Plains, Tennessee?
Tellico Plains, Tennessee has a population of 1,146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Tellico Plains, TN?
The median household income in Tellico Plains is $45,625, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Tellico Plains, TN?
The poverty rate in Tellico Plains is 29.8%. This means approximately 341 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Tellico Plains, Tennessee?
Tellico Plains's population is 90.6% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Tellico Plains, TN?
The median home value in Tellico Plains is $187,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Tellico Plains, Tennessee?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Tellico Plains hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.