City profile · Tennessee · Census ACS 2023

Signal Mountain, TN

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

8,861
Residents
$139,714
Median income
$482,300
Median home
$1,390
Median rent (state)

Signal Mountain - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Signal Mountain lands in the 92nd percentile for household income and the 84th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

92nd
percentile, household income
84th
percentile, home value
53rd
percentile, median rent
84th
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: Signal Mountain, TN

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 8,861 residents in Signal Mountain, a small town within Tennessee. Signal Mountain households earn a median of $139,714 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 1.8%. Typical homes in Signal Mountain are valued around $482,300, and the median resident age is 43.3 years. 73.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 55% from five years earlier. Signal Mountain reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 526.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Tennessee run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Tennessee scores 91.9 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,390 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Tennessee's average monthly utility costs around $218 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 93.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

8,861 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Tennessee

Median Household Income

$139,714 /yr

Poverty 1.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

91.9 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Tennessee average

How does Signal Mountain compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 92% higher than other cities
Home value 84% pricier than other cities
Median rent 53% pricier than other cities
Safety 84% 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: Signal Mountain ranks #17 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 Signal Mountain'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.

92ndIncome percentile
84thSafety percentile

92nd percentile nationally for median household income · 84th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Signal Mountain's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Signal Mountain'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 69 Avg. percentile National median
Signal Mountain'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 Signal Mountain's home value compares nationally

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

$482,300 16th percentile more affordable than 16% 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%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Signal Mountain $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 - Signal Mountain, TN Signal Mountain, TN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Signal Mountain, 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 Signal Mountain, TN median $139,714/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%
Signal Mountain, 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 Signal Mountain, TN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 73.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.9%

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

Population
8,861
Median Income
$139,714
Median Home Value
$482,300
Median Age
43.3
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Labor force participation
54.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
73.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
526.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
89.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
436.5
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.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
8,800 residents8,850 residents8,900 residents8,950 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,851 residents 8,824 residents ▼ -0.3%
Signal Mountain's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 22
2020 28
2021 29
2022 25
2023 9
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 55% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
71.5%
Carpool
2.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
24.5%

Based on 3,593 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 Signal Mountain sits in

Cost of Living Index
91.9
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,390/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
93.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Tennessee

Bloomingdale
8,840 people
Covington
8,612 people
Fairfield Glade
9,149 people
Jefferson City
8,472 people
Harrison
8,446 people
Pulaski
8,305 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Signal Mountain's 8,861 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Larkfield-Wikiup, CA
8,861 people
Bee Cave, TX
8,861 people
Clanton, AL
8,862 people
Whippany, NJ
8,862 people
Collingdale, PA
8,862 people
Olney, IL
8,864 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Signal Mountain's $139,714 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Paramus, NJ
$139,707 median income
Freedom, CA
$139,722 median income
West Point, NY
$139,700 median income
Levittown, NY
$139,696 median income
Pewee Valley, KY
$139,688 median income
Woodcrest, CA
$139,659 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Signal Mountain, 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 Signal Mountain, TN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 94.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.8% White 94.2% Black or African American 0.5% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 4.2% 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 Signal Mountain 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
Signal Mountain (this city) 8,861 $139,714
Bloomingdale 8,840 $50,408
Covington 8,612 $43,512
Fairfield Glade 9,149 $73,569
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Signal Mountain, TN?

What is the population of Signal Mountain, TN? +

Signal Mountain, TN counts 8,861 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Signal Mountain, TN? +

Signal Mountain households earn a median of $139,714 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Signal Mountain? +

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

Signal Mountain has a total crime rate of 526.0 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 Signal Mountain, TN? +

A typical home in Signal Mountain is worth $482,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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

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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.