Poverty Rate in Tennessee
ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
Poverty Rate
13.8% +9.2% vs nat'l
Rank #39 of 52
How Tennessee Compares
Tennessee
13.8%
National
12.6%
9.2% above
State Ranking
| Rank | State | Value |
|---|---|---|
| #36 | Michigan | 13.2% |
| #37 | Ohio | 13.3% |
| #38 | Georgia | 13.4% |
| #39 | Tennessee | 13.8% |
| #40 | Texas | 13.8% |
| #41 | New York | 14.0% |
| #42 | South Carolina | 14.1% |
Highest Poverty Counties in Tennessee
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Williamson County | 4.6% |
| 2 | Cheatham County | 7.7% |
| 3 | Wilson County | 8.0% |
| 4 | Moore County | 8.0% |
| 5 | Blount County | 8.4% |
| 6 | Sumner County | 8.8% |
| 7 | Rutherford County | 9.3% |
| 8 | Maury County | 9.8% |
| 9 | Smith County | 10.0% |
| 10 | Fayette County | 10.3% |
Lowest Poverty Counties in Tennessee
| # | County | Poverty |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | Hancock County | 32.2% |
| 94 | Lake County | 32.2% |
| 93 | Clay County | 24.2% |
| 92 | Pickett County | 23.9% |
| 91 | Scott County | 23.1% |
| 90 | Decatur County | 22.1% |
| 89 | Sequatchie County | 21.9% |
| 88 | Cocke County | 21.9% |
| 87 | Hardin County | 21.5% |
| 86 | Haywood County | 21.5% |
Poverty Rate in Tennessee
Tennessee has a poverty rate of 13.8%, ranking #39 of 52 among all 52 states and territories. This is 9.2% above the national value of 12.6%.
Across Tennessee's 95 counties, poverty rate ranges from 32.2% to 4.6%. The county with the highest value is Williamson County at 4.6%.
Percentage of the population living below the federal poverty line.
About this data
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2024). All values are estimates derived from survey samples and are subject to margin of error. For more information, see our methodology.