Williston, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Williston, Tennessee had a total population of 480, the 390th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $76,875, which is 10% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 17.1% is notably above the national average.
Williston Quick Facts
How Williston 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 | 490 | 480 | -2.0% |
| Median household income | $73,750 | $76,875 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $162,500 | $171,800 | +5.7% |
How Williston 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Williston Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Fayette County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland | 9,979 | $97,798 | 5.8% | $319,100 |
| Somerville | 3,466 | $44,310 | 25.0% | $312,900 |
| Piperton | 2,569 | $130,100 | 4.6% | $618,800 |
| Rossville | 1,142 | $120,357 | 7.3% | $481,800 |
| Moscow | 768 | $51,250 | 25.4% | $147,800 |
| Gallaway | 609 | $30,208 | 43.3% | $184,400 |
| Grand Junction | 435 | $62,083 | 12.5% | $130,000 |
| Braden | 308 | $82,115 | 2.9% | $280,000 |
| La Grange | 62 | $56,250 | 12.9% | $436,400 |
Cities Similar to Williston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finley | 481 | $73,846 | $162,500 | 14.9% | 6.0% |
| Ducktown | 456 | N/A | $172,100 | 12.9% | 36.9% |
| Gilt Edge | 516 | $77,031 | $192,600 | 15.7% | 14.5% |
| Elkton | 469 | $66,944 | $202,600 | 28.1% | 20.0% |
| Lynnville | 465 | $63,333 | $175,000 | 37.6% | 17.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 480, Williston'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
Williston is a small community located in Tennessee, within Fayette County. The total population is 480. It ranks as the 390th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Williston is 43.5 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 38.9 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Williston is $76,875. This is 10% higher than the state median of $69,595. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.5%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 17.1%. This is 265% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $171,800. Housing costs are 40% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Williston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 87.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% higher than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Williston is White (non-Hispanic), making up 60.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 36.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (36.0% vs 15.4%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 87.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Williston, 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 Williston, Tennessee?
Williston, Tennessee has a population of 480 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Williston, TN?
The median household income in Williston is $76,875, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Williston, TN?
The poverty rate in Williston is 7.5%. This means approximately 36 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Williston, Tennessee?
Williston's population is 60.6% White, 36.0% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Williston, TN?
The median home value in Williston is $171,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Williston, Tennessee?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Williston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.