Poverty and living standards in Johnson City, Tennessee: official figures
20.3% of residents of Johnson City (13,909 people) had incomes below the federal poverty line in the 2020-2024 American Community Survey, 118th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 12.5%; Tennessee: 13.8%).
How many children live in poverty in Johnson City?
21.1% of children under 18 in Johnson City lived below the poverty line in 2020-2024 (2,752 children), 235th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 16.1%; Tennessee: 18.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the poverty rate for older people in Johnson City?
By age, the poverty rate in Johnson City was 24.7% for children under 6 and 13.9% for residents aged 60 and over in 2020-2024 (US: 17.2% and 11.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Johnson City live in deep poverty?
6,972 people in Johnson City, 10.2% of residents, had incomes below half the poverty line in 2020-2024, 112th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many renters in Johnson City are cost-burdened?
49.6% of renting households in Johnson City spent 30% or more of their income on rent and utilities in 2020-2024 (6,976 households), 266th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 51.1%; Tennessee: 48.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many households in Johnson City spend half their income on rent?
24.9% of renting households in Johnson City spent half or more of their income on rent and utilities, 328th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 25.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Johnson City compares with other cities in the United States
Residents below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Johnson City ranks 118 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 115 | Daytona Beach | 20.4% |
| 116 | Lancaster | 20.3% |
| 117 | North Little Rock | 20.3% |
| 118 | Johnson City | 20.3% |
| 119 | Perth Amboy | 20.2% |
| 120 | Knoxville | 20.2% |
| 121 | St. Cloud | 20.2% |
Children under 18 below the poverty line (2020-2024)
Johnson City ranks 235 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children under 18 below the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 232 | North Charleston | 21.3% |
| 233 | Hawthorne | 21.2% |
| 234 | Bradenton | 21.2% |
| 235 | Johnson City | 21.1% |
| 236 | Boston | 21.1% |
| 237 | Mesquite | 21.1% |
| 238 | Mount Vernon | 21.0% |
Residents with incomes below half the poverty line (2020-2024)
Johnson City ranks 112 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents with incomes below half the poverty line |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Santa Cruz | 10.2% |
| 110 | Rockford | 10.2% |
| 111 | Philadelphia | 10.2% |
| 112 | Johnson City | 10.2% |
| 113 | Lubbock | 10.1% |
| 114 | Fresno | 10.1% |
| 115 | Knoxville | 10.1% |
Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent (2020-2024)
Johnson City ranks 558 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Renting households spending 30% or more of income on rent |
|---|---|---|
| 555 | Lexington | 49.7% |
| 556 | Provo | 49.7% |
| 557 | Hanford | 49.6% |
| 558 | Johnson City | 49.6% |
| 559 | Carson City | 49.6% |
| 560 | Summerville | 49.6% |
| 561 | Caldwell | 49.6% |
More on Johnson City: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B17020: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e79a292f34605560506b7f4b5c8ea242c9d6e203c8e95ba675565ddb7758571e), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 41bab025d213…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table C17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 dc3dc675113683ec3ff2a0e29a840f43e03268151d7f14b922658d7306da5187), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 31aa364bfddf…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B25070: Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income in the Past 12 Months (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 862ccc17d913305d11e6f802ce4518d76b30585ea0b05b251cd8cf21f8661386), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4f8d499d9e95…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.