Unicoi, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Unicoi, Tennessee had a total population of 3,806, the 141st largest town in Tennessee, with a median household income of $42,424, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Unicoi Quick Facts
How Unicoi 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 | 3,815 | 3,806 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $41,455 | $42,424 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $196,500 | $244,300 | +24.3% |
How Unicoi 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+)
Unicoi Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Unicoi County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin | 5,988 | $47,487 | 12.6% | $180,900 |
| Banner Hill | 1,211 | $59,784 | 28.4% | $116,300 |
Cities Similar to Unicoi
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algood | 4,036 | $42,359 | $190,300 | 23.6% | 32.9% |
| Oneida | 3,819 | $48,622 | $170,600 | 15.2% | 28.1% |
| Etowah | 3,658 | $39,291 | $190,800 | 21.9% | 15.4% |
| Livingston | 3,999 | $39,567 | $123,000 | 8.6% | 16.2% |
| Somerville | 3,466 | $44,310 | $312,900 | 15.9% | 25.0% |
Population Overview
Unicoi is a small community located in Tennessee, within Unicoi County. The total population is 3,806. It ranks as the 141st most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Unicoi is 49.7 years. This is 28% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.5% 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 Unicoi is $42,424. This is 39% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.3%. This is 55% 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 4.8%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $244,300. Housing costs are 15% lower than the state median of $286,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 58.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Unicoi has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.9%.
Education
24.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Unicoi, 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 Unicoi, Tennessee?
Unicoi, Tennessee has a population of 3,806 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Unicoi, TN?
The median household income in Unicoi is $42,424, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Unicoi, TN?
The poverty rate in Unicoi is 21.3%. This means approximately 805 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Unicoi, Tennessee?
Unicoi's population is 86.9% White, 0.4% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Unicoi, TN?
The median home value in Unicoi is $244,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.
How educated is Unicoi, Tennessee?
24.9% of adults (25+) in Unicoi hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.