Knox County, TN Local Data & Statistics

State: TN
Total population: 494,148 Household income: $74,222 Rent: $1,261

Overview

Total population
494,148
Rent
$1,261
Year built
1985
Household income
$74,222
Per capita income
$43,351
Poverty rate
12.2%
Unemployment rate
3.0%
Household size
2.4 persons
Rent over 30% of income
46.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State
Tennessee
Total population
494,148
Adults over 25
331,823
Total households
201,146
Household size
2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Income & Poverty

Household income
$74,222
Per capita income
$43,351
Poverty rate
12.2%
Unemployment rate
3.0%
Rent over 30% of income
46.5%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Housing

Rent
$1,261
Year built
1985
Households that rent
34.8%
Households that own
65.2%
Rooms per home (all homes)
5.7

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Race

White
80.1%
Black
8.1%
Asian
2.3%
Two or more races
7.3%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
6.3%
Not Hispanic or Latino
93.7%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Commute

Commute rate
85.6%
Commute time to work
22 mins
Work from home
14.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Education

Less than high school
24.3%
High school graduate or GED
24.2%
Some college or associate degree
10.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher
41%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

 

Comparison of Knox County, TN with: Knoxville Metro Area, TN Tennessee United States

Knox County, TN

Total population494,148
Rent$1,261
Year built1985
Household income$74,222
Per capita income$43,351
Poverty rate12.2%
Unemployment rate3.0%

Knoxville Metro Area, TN

Total population932,241
Rent$1,145
Year built1986
Household income$72,422
Per capita income$40,856
Poverty rate12.2%
Unemployment rate3.2%

Tennessee State

Total population7,066,383
Rent$1,189
Year built1987
Household income$69,595
Per capita income$39,437
Poverty rate13.8%
Unemployment rate3.4%

United States

Total population334,922,499
Rent$1,413
Year built1980
Household income$80,734
Per capita income$44,673
Poverty rate12.5%
Unemployment rate4%
Metric CountyKnox County, TNMetro AreaKnoxville Metro Area, TNStateTennesseeCountryUnited States
Total population494,148932,2417,066,383334,922,499
Rent$1,261$1,145$1,189$1,413
Year built1985198619871980
Household income$74,222$72,422$69,595$80,734
Per capita income$43,351$40,856$39,437$44,673
Poverty rate12.2%12.2%13.8%12.5%
Unemployment rate3.0%3.2%3.4%4%

View the full multi-level comparison →

 

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Summary for Knox County, TN

Knox County is located in Tennessee .

Rent & Income

In Knox County, the monthly rent is $1,261 and household income is $74,222. Rent is higher than Tennessee and lower than the U.S., and household income is higher than Tennessee and lower than the U.S. The poverty rate is 12.2%, which is lower than Tennessee and similar to the national rate.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 34.8% of households. About 46.5% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is high, with about 41% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is lower than both Tennessee and the national rate.

 

 

Knox County, TN — Rent vs Household Income

 

 

Knox County, TN — Poverty vs Unemployment

 

💰 Rent in Knox County, TN (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $1,261 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Knox County, TN

Annual Household Income: $74,222

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Knox County, TN

Estimated Rate: 12.2%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Knox County, TN

In Knox County, TN, households that rent: 70,029 (34.8%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?
Household Type Count Share
Renter-Occupied 70,029 34.8%
Owner-Occupied 131,117 65.2%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Knox County, TN

In Knox County, TN, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 32,546 (46.5%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?
Household Group Households Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%) 32,546 46.5%
Other renter households 37,483 53.5%
Total renter households 70,029 100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Knox County, TN

Less than High School: 80,620 people (24.3%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 80,425 people (24.2%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 34,844 people (10.5%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 135,934 people (41%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 331,823

📊 Unemployment Rate in Knox County, TN

Estimated Rate: 3.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

 

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.