County · Tennessee
Lake County, Tennessee
Lake County, Tennessee. Lake County had 6,249 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 10.7% since 2020, while Tennessee grew 5.8%. It holds 3 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 47095.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,249
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,005 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,579
Median household income
$28,814
±$6,937 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$97,900
±$9,427 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$532
±$66 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Lake County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 7,005 residents in Lake County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,249 for July 1, 2025, down 10.7% since 2020, while Tennessee grew 5.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,579 over 166 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lake County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,579 | 7,066,383 | −822 |
| Households | 2,067±121 | 2,824,277 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.15±0.13 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,494±38 | 3,143,670 | no clear change |
Lake County's population since 2000
From 7,954 in 2000 to 6,249 in 2025: down 21.4%. 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 Lake County?
Lake County holds 3 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Tiptonville with 3,333 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Tiptonville | 3,976 | $23,027 |
|---|---|---|
| Ridgely | 1,690 | $24,390 |
| WynnburgGEOID 4782200 | 91 | not published |
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 Lake County?
The median resident of Lake County is 42.8 years old; 14.9% are under 18 and 16.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 22.3%. 2.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lake County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.8±1.8 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 14.9%±0.6 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.4%±0.7 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 7.4% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.2%±1.6 pts | 71.0% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 22.3%±2.0 pts | 15.4% | −6.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 8.9%±2.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.8%±1.4 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±1.7 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 26.2%±4.0 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.3%±3.6 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 73.0%±3.3 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 9.4%±2.7 pts | 31.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.5%±2.0 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±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 Lake County earn?
Half of Lake County's 2,067 households earn less than $28,814 a year (±$6,937), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 the median was $43,309 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $14,495 after inflation. 32.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lake County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $28,814±$6,937 | $69,595 | −$14,495 |
| Mean household income | $49,017±$8,482 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $16,062±$2,293 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 32.2%±5.5 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 49.7%±11.9 pts | 18.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 31.8%±5.2 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 78.1%±6.5 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 Lake County?
Owners occupy 47.8% of Lake County's occupied homes and renters 52.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $97,900 by its owner (±$9,427). The median renter pays $532 a month including utilities, and 41.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lake County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $97,900±$9,427 | $286,700 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $532±$66 | $1,189 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.2%±11.4 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,081±$113 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 47.8%±7.1 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,494±38 | 3,143,670 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.3%±2.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.9%±4.5 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.8%±5.6 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.9%±3.3 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.6%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 7.3%±3.0 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 Lake County building?
Builders took permits for 3 new housing units across Lake County in 2025 (3 single-family), 0.5 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 Lake County get to work?
84.1% of Lake County's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Lake County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 30.6%±3.3 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±2.6 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 84.1%±4.1 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.1%±2.8 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±2.7 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.2%±1.5 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.7%±2.1 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min±2.0 | 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 Lake County's census tracts?
Lake County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,135 (Tract 9601) to $29,038 (Tract 9602).
| Tract 960147095960100 | 4,246±160 | $27,135 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960247095960200 | 2,333±160 | $29,038 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lake County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 93rd of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 95th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 74th of 95 |
| Median household income | 95th of 95 |
| Median home value | 95th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 95th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 1st of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 95th of 95 |
| Median age | 45th 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 Lake 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.