County · Tennessee
Cocke County, Tennessee
Cocke County, Tennessee. Cocke County had 37,889 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.3% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 3 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 47029.
Cocke County is the county of the Newport, TN micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
37,889
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 35,999 · ACS 2020-2024: 36,813
Median household income
$48,016
±$3,856 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$158,100
±$11,364 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$798
±$91 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Cocke County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 35,999 residents in Cocke County. The Census Bureau estimates 37,889 for July 1, 2025, up 5.3% since 2020, slower than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 36,813 over 436 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cocke County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 36,813 | 7,066,383 | +1,261 |
| Households | 15,509±442 | 2,824,277 | +1,449 |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.07 | 2.45 | −0.15 |
| Housing units | 17,957±52 | 3,143,670 | +357 |
Cocke County's population since 2000
From 33,565 in 2000 to 37,889 in 2025: up 12.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cocke County?
Cocke County holds 3 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Newport with 7,049 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Newport | 6,868 | $31,250 |
|---|---|---|
| CosbyGEOID 4717300 | 807 | $91,563 |
| Parrottsville | 217 | $48,452 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cocke County?
The median resident of Cocke County is 45.3 years old; 20.4% are under 18 and 22.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.1%. 1.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cocke County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.3±0.2 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.4%±0.1 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.0%±0.3 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 7.4% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.0%±0.1 pts | 71.0% | −1.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.4 pts | 15.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±0.4 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.2%±0.7 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.2%±1.2 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 23.1%±2.1 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.7%±1.7 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.9%±2.0 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 11.0%±1.8 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.1%±1.2 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
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 Cocke County earn?
Half of Cocke County's 15,509 households earn less than $48,016 a year (±$3,856), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $45,186 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cocke County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $48,016±$3,856 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $65,218±$4,951 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,260±$1,997 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.9%±3.0 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 37.8%±7.2 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.8%±3.1 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.1%±2.7 pts | 89.2% | – |
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 Cocke County?
Owners occupy 74.5% of Cocke County's occupied homes and renters 25.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $158,100 by its owner (±$11,364). The median renter pays $798 a month including utilities, and 34.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cocke County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $158,100±$11,364 | $286,700 | +$19,155 |
| Median gross rent | $798±$91 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 34.5%±8.2 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,090±$45 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 74.5%±3.2 pts | 66.9% | +7.4 pts |
| Housing units | 17,957±52 | 3,143,670 | +357 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±3.0 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.7%±3.1 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 28.3%±2.7 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.3%±1.5 pts | 5.6% | – |
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 Cocke County building?
Builders took permits for 7 new housing units across Cocke County in 2025 (1 single-family), 0.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cocke County get to work?
80.6% of Cocke County's workers drive alone and 3.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Cocke County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.5%±2.5 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±1.5 pts | 4.7% | −4.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 80.6%±3.1 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.7%±2.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.9%±1.4 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.8 min±2.1 | 25.7 min | +4.7 min |
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 are Cocke County's census tracts?
Cocke County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $36,806 (Tract 9204) to $57,188 (Tract 9203).
| Tract 920147029920100 | 4,131±602 | $52,542 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 920247029920200 | 6,439±807 | $37,972 |
| Tract 920347029920300 | 4,430±555 | $57,188 |
| Tract 920447029920400 | 2,171±383 | $36,806 |
| Tract 9205.0147029920501 | 6,077±794 | $39,773 |
| Tract 9205.0247029920502 | 5,327±523 | $55,250 |
| Tract 920647029920600 | 4,154±463 | $54,603 |
| Tract 920747029920700 | 4,084±770 | $54,298 |
| Tract 980147029980100 | 0±14 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cocke County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 41st of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 52nd of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 42nd of 95 |
| Median household income | 87th of 95 |
| Median home value | 78th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 57th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 7th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 92nd of 95 |
| Median age | 22nd of 95 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Cocke County 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' school search.