Watauga city, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Watauga city is a small community located in Tennessee. The total population is 631. It ranks as the 356th most populous out of 504 cities and towns in Tennessee.

Age Demographics

The median age in Watauga city is 44.0 years. This is 13% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Watauga city is $56,912. This is 15% lower than the state median of $67,097. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 28% lower. The poverty rate stands at 20.9%. This is 52% 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 13.3%. This is 181% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $128,800. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $256,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Watauga city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 93.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 40% higher than the state average of 67.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Watauga city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.2%. The Black or African American population (7.0%) is well below the state average of 15.7%.

Education

26.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 12% 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 87.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Watauga 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.