Watauga, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watauga, Tennessee had a total population of 644, the 359th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $62,917, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.0% is notably above the national average.
Watauga Quick Facts
How Watauga 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 | 631 | 644 | +2.1% |
| Median household income | $56,912 | $62,917 | +10.6% |
| Median home value | $128,800 | $156,900 | +21.8% |
How Watauga 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+)
Watauga Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesborough | 6,232 | $74,015 | 11.7% | $299,200 |
| Oak Grove (Washington County) | 4,626 | $72,143 | 7.0% | $260,600 |
| Gray | 2,237 | $69,947 | 9.8% | $199,400 |
| Fall Branch | 1,160 | $50,208 | 19.3% | $213,300 |
| Embreeville | 1,062 | N/A | 2.7% | $165,800 |
| Telford | 731 | $69,200 | 0.0% | $228,600 |
Cities Similar to Watauga
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanleer | 666 | $67,375 | $225,000 | 4.7% | 11.3% |
| Maury City | 683 | $65,318 | $78,900 | 20.2% | 12.6% |
| Beersheba Springs | 654 | $72,885 | $101,000 | 6.7% | 19.3% |
| Castalian Springs | 678 | $57,917 | $283,100 | 30.2% | 9.3% |
| Griffith Creek | 586 | N/A | N/A | 3.8% | 21.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 644, Watauga's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Watauga is a small community located in Tennessee, within Washington County. The total population is 644. It ranks as the 359th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watauga is 43.0 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. 10.3% 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 Watauga is $62,917. This is 10% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 13.0%. This is 177% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $156,900. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Watauga is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 94.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Watauga has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.6%. The Black or African American population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 15.4%.
Education
29.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watauga, 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 Watauga, Tennessee?
Watauga, Tennessee has a population of 644 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watauga, TN?
The median household income in Watauga is $62,917, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watauga, TN?
The poverty rate in Watauga is 10.9%. This means approximately 69 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watauga, Tennessee?
Watauga's population is 85.9% White, 5.4% Black, 7.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watauga, TN?
The median home value in Watauga is $156,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Watauga, Tennessee?
29.8% of adults (25+) in Watauga hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.