City profile · Tennessee · Census ACS 2023

Dickson, TN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Dickson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

16,246
Residents
$69,074
Median income
$263,100
Median home
$1,730
Median rent (state)

Dickson - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Dickson places in the 48th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

48th
percentile, household income
58th
percentile, home value
70th
percentile, median rent
18th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Dickson, TN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 16,246 residents in Dickson, a small town within Tennessee. Median household income here is $69,074 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.5%. Home values in Dickson run a median of $263,100, and the median resident age is 35.7 years. Educational attainment runs 18.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 62.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 70 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 52% from five years earlier. Dickson's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2791.6 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Dickson's yearly average temperature at 58.1°F with 54.1 inches of precipitation per year and 2.5 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Tennessee run below the national norm: the state registers 91.9 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,730 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Tennessee run around $218, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 53.5 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

16,246 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Tennessee

Median Household Income

$69,074 /yr

Poverty 8.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

91.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Tennessee average

How does Dickson compare to other US cities?

Dickson measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 48% higher than other cities
Home value 58% pricier than other cities
Median rent 70% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Tennessee alone, Dickson ranks #140 of 174 Tennessee cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Dickson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Tennessee only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Tennessee-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Dickson toward the top of Tennessee's cities

Among the 482 Tennessee cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Dickson ranks #1 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Dickson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#136 of 458
70th percentile in Tennessee
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 482
86th percentile in Tennessee
Median Home Value
#100 of 455
78th percentile in Tennessee
Poverty Rate
#267 of 482
44th percentile in Tennessee
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#213 of 482
55th percentile in Tennessee

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Tennessee only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

48thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

48th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Dickson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Dickson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
Dickson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Dickson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$263,100 42nd percentile more affordable than 42% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Dickson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Dickson, TN Dickson, TN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Dickson, TN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Dickson, TN median $69,074/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Dickson, TN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Dickson, TN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
16,246
Median Income
$69,074
Median Home Value
$263,100
Median Age
35.7
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Labor force participation
62.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2791.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
465.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2326.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
58.1°F
Annual Precipitation
54.1"
Annual Snowfall
2.5"

Schools

Total Schools
7
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
15,500 residents16,000 residents16,500 residents17,000 residents17,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 16,072 residents 17,051 residents ▲ +6.1%
Dickson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
70
housing units authorized
Single-Family
70
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 46
2020 68
2021 230
2022 245
2023 62
2024 70

Permit volume increased 52% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.5%
Carpool
6.4%
Public Transit
1.8%
Walk
0.1%
Work from Home
7.6%
Other
4.6%

Based on 7,953 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Tennessee - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$58
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$218
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Tennessee state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Tennessee state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Dickson sits in

Cost of Living Index
91.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,730/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
53.5 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Tennessee

Dyersburg
16,075 people
Seymour
15,914 people
Greeneville
15,531 people
Arlington
14,989 people
Goodlettsville
17,598 people
Nolensville
14,545 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Dickson's 16,246 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hewitt, TX
16,244 people
Poplar Bluff, MO
16,243 people
Kings Park, NY
16,249 people
Fairview Heights, IL
16,255 people
Bellevue, WI
16,255 people
Welby, CO
16,232 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Dickson's $69,074 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Yankton, SD
$69,071 median income
Canadian Lakes, MI
$69,069 median income
Johnson City, KS
$69,081 median income
Crane, TX
$69,083 median income
Honomu, HI
$69,063 median income
Eagarville, IL
$69,063 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Dickson, TN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Dickson, TN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.3% 9.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.6% White 83.3% Black or African American 9.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 5.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Dickson compares to nearby Tennessee cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Dickson (this city) 16,246 $69,074
Dyersburg 16,075 $51,846
Seymour 15,914 $85,240
Greeneville 15,531 $51,516
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Dickson, TN?

What is the population of Dickson, TN? +

Dickson, TN counts 16,246 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Dickson, TN? +

The median household income in Dickson is $69,074 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Dickson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Dickson; the closest available measure is the Tennessee state average, a cost of living index of 91.9 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Tennessee vary by metro area.

Is Dickson, TN safe? +

Dickson has a total crime rate of 2791.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Dickson, TN? +

A typical home in Dickson is worth $263,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Dickson? +

Dickson has an average annual temperature of 58.1°F, 54.1 inches of precipitation, and 2.5 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.