County · Tennessee
Grainger County, Tennessee
Grainger County, Tennessee. Grainger County had 25,739 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 9.4% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 3 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 47057.
Grainger County is one of the 9 counties of the Knoxville, TN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,739
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 23,527 · ACS 2020-2024: 24,266
Median household income
$50,538
±$2,961 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$189,200
±$36,466 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$746
±$151 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Grainger County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 23,527 residents in Grainger County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,739 for July 1, 2025, up 9.4% since 2020, faster than Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 24,266 over 281 square miles of land.
| Measure | Grainger County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 24,266 | 7,066,383 | +1,165 |
| Households | 9,660±277 | 2,824,277 | +701 |
| Average household size | 2.49±0.07 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,835±26 | 3,143,670 | +708 |
Grainger County's population since 2000
From 20,659 in 2000 to 25,739 in 2025: up 24.6%. 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 Grainger County?
Grainger County holds 3 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Bean Station with 3,190 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bean Station | 2,967 | $44,785 |
|---|---|---|
| Blaine | 2,084 | $77,092 |
| Rutledge | 1,321 | $50,045 |
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 Grainger County?
The median resident of Grainger County is 47.4 years old; 18.8% are under 18 and 22.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.6%. 3.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Grainger County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.4±0.7 | 38.9 | +2.4 |
| Under 18 years | 18.8%±0.6 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.5%±0.8 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.6% | 7.4% | +0.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.3%±0.2 pts | 71.0% | −0.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.5 pts | 15.4% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0%±1.1 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±1.3 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±0.9 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 22.0%±2.0 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.5%±1.5 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.9%±2.3 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.9%±2.6 pts | 31.1% | +5.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±1.7 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.8 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 Grainger County earn?
Half of Grainger County's 9,660 households earn less than $50,538 a year (±$2,961), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 it was $54,229 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Grainger County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,538±$2,961 | $69,595 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $70,414±$5,858 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $29,350±$2,613 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.1%±2.6 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 24.4%±6.3 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±3.1 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.5%±2.8 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 Grainger County?
Owners occupy 77.1% of Grainger County's occupied homes and renters 22.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,200 by its owner (±$36,466). The median renter pays $746 a month including utilities, and 36.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Grainger County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $189,200±$36,466 | $286,700 | +$42,624 |
| Median gross rent | $746±$151 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.3%±10.1 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,243±$89 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.1%±2.9 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,835±26 | 3,143,670 | +708 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1%±3.2 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 63.7%±3.3 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 30.3%±3.6 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.7%±1.1 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.3%±2.2 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 Grainger County building?
Builders took permits for 65 new housing units across Grainger County in 2025 (65 single-family), 2.5 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 Grainger County get to work?
82.5% of Grainger County's workers drive alone and 7.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.
| Measure | Grainger County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.1%±2.1 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.7%±1.8 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.5%±2.8 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±1.9 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.6%±2.1 pts | 12.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.3 min±1.5 | 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 Grainger County's census tracts?
Grainger County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,477 (Tract 5001) to $70,951 (Tract 5002).
| Tract 500147057500100 | 4,210±512 | $44,477 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 500247057500200 | 5,459±533 | $70,951 |
| Tract 5003.0147057500301 | 3,266±313 | $50,357 |
| Tract 5003.0247057500302 | 3,269±467 | $51,620 |
| Tract 5004.0147057500401 | 2,963±394 | $44,750 |
| Tract 5004.0247057500402 | 5,099±452 | $45,851 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Grainger County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 61st of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 17th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 40th of 95 |
| Median household income | 79th of 95 |
| Median home value | 56th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 75th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 34th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 62nd of 95 |
| Median age | 6th 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 Grainger 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.