County · Tennessee
Fentress County, Tennessee
Fentress County, Tennessee. Fentress County had 20,322 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.9% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 4 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 47049.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,322
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,489 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,309
Median household income
$51,149
±$3,253 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$168,200
±$13,978 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$709
±$199 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Fentress County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,489 residents in Fentress County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,322 for July 1, 2025, up 9.9% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,309 over 499 square miles of land.
| Measure | Fentress County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,309 | 7,066,383 | +1,096 |
| Households | 7,831±258 | 2,824,277 | +388 |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.08 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,260±36 | 3,143,670 | +215 |
Fentress County's population since 2000
From 16,625 in 2000 to 20,322 in 2025: up 22.2%. 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 Fentress County?
Fentress County holds 4 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Jamestown with 2,135 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Jamestown | 1,935 | $30,685 |
|---|---|---|
| GrimsleyGEOID 4731420 | 1,219 | $57,212 |
| ClarkrangeGEOID 4715120 | 596 | not published |
| AllardtGEOID 4700660 | 555 | $70,114 |
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 Fentress County?
The median resident of Fentress County is 46.9 years old; 20.4% are under 18 and 23.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.3%. 1.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Fentress County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9±0.4 | 38.9 | +1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 20.4%±0.1 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 23.3%±0.3 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 7.4% | +0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.0%±1.1 pts | 71.0% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±1.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.3%±0.7 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.3%±1.5 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 23.5%±3.0 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.9%±1.7 pts | 10.0% | +3.2 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.2%±2.4 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.6%±2.5 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9%±2.1 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.9 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 Fentress County earn?
Half of Fentress County's 7,831 households earn less than $51,149 a year (±$3,253), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 the median was $44,945 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,204 after inflation. 21.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fentress County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,149±$3,253 | $69,595 | +$6,204 |
| Mean household income | $57,981±$4,222 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $24,226±$1,624 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 21.0%±4.0 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.9%±8.2 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.5%±3.8 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±2.6 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 Fentress County?
Owners occupy 82.6% of Fentress County's occupied homes and renters 17.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,200 by its owner (±$13,978). The median renter pays $709 a month including utilities, and 36.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fentress County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $168,200±$13,978 | $286,700 | +$32,331 |
| Median gross rent | $709±$199 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.6%±14.1 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,011±$126 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.6%±2.5 pts | 66.9% | +7.5 pts |
| Housing units | 9,260±36 | 3,143,670 | +215 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.5%±5.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.2%±3.7 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.7%±3.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.2%±1.3 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.8%±1.8 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 Fentress County building?
Builders took permits for 8 new housing units across Fentress County in 2025 (8 single-family), 0.4 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 Fentress County get to work?
79.8% of Fentress County's workers drive alone and 7.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Fentress County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 46.5%±3.2 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7%±2.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±4.2 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.3%±3.1 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.9 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.4%±2.7 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.5 min±3.3 | 25.7 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 are Fentress County's census tracts?
Fentress County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,990 (Tract 9651) to $58,125 (Tract 9652.01).
| Tract 965047049965000 | 3,776±591 | $51,522 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 965147049965100 | 4,367±568 | $31,990 |
| Tract 9652.0147049965201 | 2,261±362 | $58,125 |
| Tract 9652.0247049965202 | 3,269±511 | $55,093 |
| Tract 965347049965300 | 5,636±681 | $56,906 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Fentress County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 68th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 12th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 84th of 95 |
| Median household income | 77th of 95 |
| Median home value | 66th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 84th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 12th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 69th of 95 |
| Median age | 10th 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 Fentress 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.