City · Tennessee
Ripley, Tennessee
Ripley, city, in Lauderdale County, Tennessee. Ripley had 7,499 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.9% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 7,800 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 7,658 (±35). GEOID 4763340.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,499
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,800 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,658 ±35
Median household income
$37,432
±$10,055 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$154,900
±$12,160 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$800
±$50 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
Where is Ripley and what county is it in?
Ripley is a city in Lauderdale County, Tennessee. It covers 12.9 square miles of land, 606 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Ripley, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 7,499 people lived in Ripley on July 1, 2025, down 3.9% since 2020, while Tennessee grew 5.8%. The 2020 Census counted 7,800 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 7,658 (±35).
| Measure | Ripley | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,658 ±35 | 24,784 | −289 |
| Households | 2,818 ±230 | 9,325 | −451 |
| Average household size | 2.65 ±0.21 | 2.43 | +0.30 |
| Housing units | 3,383 ±219 | 10,703 | −446 |
Ripley's population since 2000
From 7,844 in 2000 to 7,499 in 2025: down 4.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Ripley as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ripley?
The median resident of Ripley is 33.3 years old; 26.3% are under 18 and 13.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 50.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 39.1%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ripley | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.3 ±5.2 | 39.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.3% ±3.0 pts | 21.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.8% ±2.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Male | 48.9% ±3.0 pts | 52.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.8% ±3.1 pts | 2.8% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 39.1% ±4.7 pts | 58.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 50.8% ±5.2 pts | 33.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.8% ±3.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5% ±0.9 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4% ±1.9 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4% ±2.1 pts | 5.6% | – |
| With a disability | 24.1% ±3.9 pts | 22.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.0% ±2.7 pts | 10.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 83.7% ±4.0 pts | 83.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.3% ±3.6 pts | 12.0% | +6.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1% ±1.9 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.5% ±4.4 pts | 90.6% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.2% ±1.8 pts | 1.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ripley earn?
Half of Ripley's 2,818 households earn less than $37,432 a year (±$10,055), against $49,879 in Lauderdale County and $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $41,269 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 30.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ripley | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $37,432 ±$10,055 | $49,879 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $58,835 ±$8,223 | $66,819 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,515 ±$2,573 | $26,653 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 30.7% ±5.8 pts | 21.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 41.2% ±14.1 pts | 28.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 37.7% ±5.7 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 90.0% ±3.6 pts | 91.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3% ±4.3 pts | 86.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ripley?
Owners occupy 45.2% of Ripley's occupied homes and renters 54.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $154,900 by its owner (±$12,160). The median renter pays $800 a month including utilities, and 44.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ripley | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $154,900 ±$12,160 | $143,200 | +$48,199 |
| Median gross rent | $800 ±$50 | $774 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.0% ±11.1 pts | 40.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,149 ±$64 | $1,163 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 45.2% ±5.2 pts | 64.4% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 54.8% ±5.2 pts | 35.6% | – |
| Housing units | 3,383 ±219 | 10,703 | −446 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±3.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.5% ±7.0 pts | 5.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.6% ±5.4 pts | 75.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.5% ±1.6 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.8% ±1.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.8% ±3.3 pts | 7.4% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 16.4% ±5.1 pts | 9.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ripley building?
Builders took permits for 1 new housing units in Ripley in 2025 (1 in single-family houses), 0.1 per 1,000 residents against 5.9 across Tennessee.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ripley work and get to work?
77.9% of Ripley's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 23.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.2%.
| Measure | Ripley | Lauderdale County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.5% ±4.6 pts | 47.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.2% ±3.1 pts | 5.6% | −5.0 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 77.9% ±8.1 pts | 84.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 15.3% ±7.7 pts | 9.8% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±1.0 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±1.7 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.7% ±3.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.2 min ±6.2 | 26.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Ripley?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Ripley, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $36,964 (Tract 505.05) to $52,097 (Tract 505.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 505.04Lauderdale County | 3,378 | $43,417 |
| Tract 505.05Lauderdale County | 3,004 | $36,964 |
| Tract 505.03Lauderdale County | 2,482 | $52,097 |
| Tract 505.06Lauderdale County | 2,093 | $47,857 |
| Tract 506Lauderdale County | 2,106 | $34,858 |
| Tract 504Lauderdale County | 2,578 | $64,853 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Ripley) · Census block assignment files
How does Ripley compare with other places in Tennessee?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Ripley is the 3,895th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 77th-most populous of 345 in Tennessee.
Ripley ranks 274th of 287 places in Tennessee with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 77th | 345 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 221st | 230 |
| Residents per square mile | 154th | 289 |
| Median household income | 274th | 287 |
| Per capita income | 255th | 289 |
| Median home value | 230th | 285 |
| Median gross rent | 173rd | 265 |
| Poverty rate | 18th | 239 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 175th | 276 |
| Median age | 263rd | 289 |
| Owner-occupied share | 272nd | 289 |
| Travel time to work | 202nd | 288 |
Ripley's figures with every place in Tennessee (CSV)
Every place in Tennessee, sortable · Compare Ripley with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Ripley?
14 of the 57 figures for Ripley on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ripley are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Ripley.