City profile · Tennessee · Census ACS 2023

Elizabethton, TN

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

14,364
Residents
$44,834
Median income
$159,700
Median home
$1,132
Median rent (state)

Elizabethton - the verdict

Nationally, Elizabethton sits in the 13th percentile for household income and the 39th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

13th
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
31st
percentile, median rent
39th
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: Elizabethton, TN

14,364 people live in Elizabethton, Tennessee - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $44,834 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.0%. Elizabethton's housing stock carries a median value of $159,700, and the median resident age is 40.6 years. 25.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 47.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 24 residential building permits were authorized in Elizabethton (Building Boom), up 1100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Elizabethton reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1707.9 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Elizabethton's yearly average temperature at 55.9°F with 48.0 inches of precipitation per year and 6.0 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Tennessee run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Tennessee at 91.9 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,132 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Tennessee run around $218, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Elizabethton report an average commute of 19.2 minutes, with 78.1% driving alone and 10.7% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 63.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

14,364 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Tennessee

Median Household Income

$44,834 /yr

Poverty 15.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

91.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Tennessee average

How does Elizabethton compare to other US cities?

Here's how Elizabethton stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 13% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 31% pricier than other cities
Safety 39% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Tennessee and the picture shifts: Elizabethton ranks #98 of 174 Tennessee cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Elizabethton's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Tennessee, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

13thIncome percentile
39thSafety percentile

13th percentile nationally for median household income · 39th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Elizabethton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Elizabethton'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
Elizabethton'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 Elizabethton's home value compares nationally

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

$159,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $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. Elizabethton $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 - Elizabethton, TN Elizabethton, TN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Elizabethton, 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 Elizabethton, TN median $44,834/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%
Elizabethton, 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 Elizabethton, TN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.8%

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

Population
14,364
Median Income
$44,834
Median Home Value
$159,700
Median Age
40.6
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor force participation
47.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1707.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
147.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1560.3
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
55.9°F
Annual Precipitation
48.0"
Annual Snowfall
6.0"

Schools

Total Schools
14
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,200 residents14,300 residents14,400 residents14,500 residents14,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,519 residents 14,350 residents ▼ -1.2%
Elizabethton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
24
housing units authorized
Single-Family
16
detached homes
Multifamily
8
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 2
2020 0
2021 0
2022 15
2023 33
2024 24

Permit volume increased 1100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
19.2 minutes
Drive Alone
78.1%
Carpool
6.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
10.7%
Other
2.5%

Based on 5,583 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 Elizabethton sits in

Cost of Living Index
91.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,132/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
63.2 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Tennessee

Athens
14,250 people
Nolensville
14,545 people
Lakeland
14,068 people
White House
13,875 people
McMinnville
13,765 people
Arlington
14,989 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Elizabethton's 14,364 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lindenhurst, IL
14,365 people
Moncks Corner, SC
14,362 people
Dumas, TX
14,362 people
North New Hyde Park, NY
14,354 people
Bainbridge, GA
14,353 people
Shepherdsville, KY
14,351 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Elizabethton's $44,834 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Geneseo, NY
$44,830 median income
Hooper, CO
$44,844 median income
Cedar Vale, KS
$44,844 median income
Marquand, MO
$44,844 median income
Mount Vernon, OR
$44,844 median income
Clintonville, PA
$44,844 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Elizabethton, 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 Elizabethton, TN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.8% White 91.2% Black or African American 4.3% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 3.1% 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 Elizabethton 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
Elizabethton (this city) 14,364 $44,834
Athens 14,250 $53,151
Nolensville 14,545 $170,068
Lakeland 14,068 $113,843
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Elizabethton, TN?

What is the population of Elizabethton, TN? +

Elizabethton, TN counts 14,364 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Elizabethton is $44,834 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Elizabethton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Elizabethton; 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 Elizabethton, TN safe? +

Elizabethton has a total crime rate of 1707.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Elizabethton, TN? +

Elizabethton's median home value sits at $159,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Elizabethton? +

Climate normals put Elizabethton's yearly average temperature at 55.9°F, 48.0 inches of precipitation, and 6.0 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 Editorial

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.