County · Tennessee
Smith County, Tennessee
Smith County, Tennessee. Smith County had 20,981 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.4% since 2020, in line with Tennessee (+5.8%). It holds 4 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 47159.
Smith County is one of the 14 counties of the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
20,981
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,904 · ACS 2020-2024: 20,389
Median household income
$66,293
±$4,840 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $69,595
Median home value
$243,800
±$10,339 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $286,700
Median gross rent
$922
±$67 (90% margin)
Tennessee: $1,189
How many people live in Smith County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,904 residents in Smith County. The Census Bureau estimates 20,981 for July 1, 2025, up 5.4% since 2020, in line with Tennessee (+5.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 20,389 over 314 square miles of land.
| Measure | Smith County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 20,389 | 7,066,383 | +649 |
| Households | 7,932±182 | 2,824,277 | +329 |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.06 | 2.45 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,752±25 | 3,143,670 | no clear change |
Smith County's population since 2000
From 17,712 in 2000 to 20,981 in 2025: up 18.5%. 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 Smith County?
Smith County holds 4 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Carthage with 2,282 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Carthage | 2,291 | $67,006 |
|---|---|---|
| South Carthage | 1,490 | $55,662 |
| Gordonsville | 1,363 | $57,688 |
| HickmanGEOID 4733680 | 224 | 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 Smith County?
The median resident of Smith County is 40.6 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 16.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 90.0%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.3%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Smith County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.6±0.4 | 38.9 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±0.2 pts | 22.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.7%±0.2 pts | 17.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.1% | 7.4% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 90.0%±0.9 pts | 71.0% | −2.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 15.4% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 6.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±1.2 pts | 8.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.8%±1.2 pts | 7.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.7%±1.7 pts | 14.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.3%±1.5 pts | 10.0% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.0%±1.7 pts | 90.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.5%±2.3 pts | 31.1% | +4.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.7%±1.0 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 Smith County earn?
Half of Smith County's 7,932 households earn less than $66,293 a year (±$4,840), against $69,595 in Tennessee. In 2015-2019 the median was $59,157 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $7,136 after inflation. 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Smith County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,293±$4,840 | $69,595 | +$7,136 |
| Mean household income | $85,956±$5,057 | $96,820 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,386±$1,884 | $39,437 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 10.0%±2.6 pts | 13.8% | −7.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.7%±4.0 pts | 18.8% | −16.9 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±2.2 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.6%±2.3 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 Smith County?
Owners occupy 76.9% of Smith County's occupied homes and renters 23.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $243,800 by its owner (±$10,339). The median renter pays $922 a month including utilities, and 28.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Smith County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $243,800±$10,339 | $286,700 | +$63,011 |
| Median gross rent | $922±$67 | $1,189 | +$158 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 28.9%±8.6 pts | 39.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,389±$81 | $1,566 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.9%±2.9 pts | 66.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,752±25 | 3,143,670 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.2%±2.7 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.6%±3.4 pts | 68.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.8%±3.2 pts | 8.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.2%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.4%±2.0 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 Smith County building?
Builders took permits for 153 new housing units across Smith County in 2025 (146 single-family), 7.3 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 Smith County get to work?
79.5% of Smith County's workers drive alone and 8.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Smith County | Tennessee | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.3%±2.5 pts | 62.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7%±1.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.5%±2.5 pts | 75.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.1%±2.3 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.2%±1.7 pts | 12.9% | +4.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.2 min±2.5 | 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 Smith County's census tracts?
Smith County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $53,750 (Tract 9752) to $74,609 (Tract 9750).
| Tract 975047159975000 | 4,078±410 | $74,609 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 975147159975100 | 2,999±432 | $69,250 |
| Tract 975247159975200 | 6,016±586 | $53,750 |
| Tract 975347159975300 | 2,392±444 | $71,932 |
| Tract 975447159975400 | 4,904±428 | $73,765 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Smith County compare with Tennessee's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 67th of 95 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 50th of 95 |
| Residents per square mile | 53rd of 95 |
| Median household income | 24th of 95 |
| Median home value | 28th of 95 |
| Median gross rent | 25th of 95 |
| Poverty rate | 87th of 95 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 48th of 95 |
| Median age | 61st 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 Smith 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.